Oberlin Stories Project
We have collected hundreds of personal narratives from students, alumni, faculty, and staff that explain the merits and strengths of Oberlin through the eyes of those who have experienced it firsthand.
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![Informal team photo.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/simone_christen_15.jpg?itok=2ofeI1gt)
On being a part of the Oberlin swimming and diving team
“[It] means becoming absorbed into a large family of people who are committed to exploring their lives athletically and academically in various ways.”
Simone Christen ’15
![1970s era running team](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/carla_white_freyvogel_79.jpg?itok=GByr7sVa)
On being one of the first female runners
“Running became a political statement for me... while other women made statements in class, delivering heart-pounding lectures, papers, and demonstrations, I put on my shoes and ran with the men.”
Carla White Freyvogel ’79
![In a school courtyard, Mike teaches jump rope to a group of boys and girls.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/mike_fry_09.jpg?itok=_vXQytJO)
On teaching jump rope in Tanzania
“It may seem unconventional. You’re right - it is. That’s part of what drew me to Oberlin. What I see on a daily basis are students who aren’t afraid to try something completely new, entirely...
Mike Fry ’09
![Group of jubilant students, some wearing aprons](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/josh_shuman_86.jpg?itok=ViB6dwrM)
On Kosher Co-op
“There I learned to cook--my first meal of macaroni and cheese lathered with rum extract was not a hit, but later my Thanksgiving turkeys basted with beer and oranges were!”
Josh Shuman ’86
![Three musicians play behind a music stand - trumpet, trombone, and alto sax](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/terence_hsieh_12.jpg?itok=G3JezZ33)
On touring with his sextet
“Friendship is the bottom-most rung on the ladder of music: the best jam sessions, the best solos, and the best memories are shared on stage with people who can lose themselves in each other.”
Terence Hsieh ’12
![Claire reads a book in front of a classical structure with columns and statues](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/claire_jenson_12.jpg?itok=vJnJw4Bp)
On academic passions
“I’m fortunate to go to Oberlin, to live in this world of thrilling academic inquiry and discovery, because the community keeps my mind constantly ticking, asking, and considering.”
Claire Jenson ’12
![Nina Cole](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/nina_cole_12.jpg?itok=VzAq8eDp)
On doing research during winter term
“I know of no other school where a professor will welcome a first-year student without a molecular biology background into their lab as willingly as Professor Allen welcomed me.”
Nina Cole ’12
![People outdoors with flowers and ballons. One is wearing a monkey head.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/david_weasley_06.jpg?itok=xVQlnZpd)
On getting married at the Big Parade
“I love the combinations of people at the Big Parade, the way someone will walk up to you and say, “Excuse me, sir, will you wear this giant carrot costume?””
David Weasley ’06
![The distinctive windows of Bibbins Hall.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/ellis_tallman.jpg?itok=nc3jwgoG)
On unexpected connections
“When I walked past the Conservatory, I felt an odd sense of the World Trade Center. I mentioned it to a professor, who responded,“ Well of course, Ellis. Both the Con and the World Trade Center were...
Prof. Ellis Tallman
![Group of about 10 people strolling along a path](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/alex_darr_08.jpg?itok=_QDNbham)
On Christianity at Oberlin
“I learned so much. I became a true leader. I learned how to make decisions as part of a team. I learned to be a peacemaker between friends... I discovered a lot more about who God is.”
Alex Darr ’08
![Four panelists facing the audience](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/katherine_sicienski_12.jpg?itok=yNNIiXKk)
On joining Model United Nations at Oberlin
“By allowing one to take classes in English, environmental studies, history, and theater, all in one semester, Oberlin encourages students to develop new ways of thinking about the same problem.”
Katherine Sicienski ’12
![A group poses at a city bridge.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/yvette_chen_16.jpg?itok=wIyRtlLa)
On preparation
“Three years into college, I can say with confidence that my experiences inside and outside of the classroom have equipped me with the skills to fight for what I believe in.”
Yvette Chen ’16