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.
Add your story
![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
![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
![Tyler Robinson](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/tyler_robinson_11.jpg?itok=1DkPCDaH)
On being selected as a Cole Scholar
“Across the board, students emerge from the program feeling academically invigorated, and many have a keener sense of personal identity. I am no exception.”
Tyler Robinson ’11
![Patty Stubel on stage.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/patty_stubel_09.jpg?itok=5dqBJJwl)
On playing Ottavia
“While it’s entertaining to talk about my grand expertise in lying on the floor, this experience truly did expand my abilities as a performer.”
Patty Stubel ’09
![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
![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
![Rachel in the company of 4 young Nicaraguan children.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/rachel_b_15.jpg?itok=ZYjjJQa9)
On studying the legacy of war in Nicaragua
“I set out to learn from the village’s people by gathering oral histories of those who were living during the war and learning how it changed their lives and their country.”
Rachel B. ’15
![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
![Lauren by a bronze sculpture of a wolf suckling two human infants](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/lauren_clark_11.jpg?itok=7J9QRuyF)
On the integration of classics in her life
“I’ve found beauty and strength in recognizing temporality, which has brought me to understand translation across language and temporal boundaries as a positive and connective process.”
Lauren Clark ’11
![Eva wears gloves while handling photographs in a file room](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/eva_fineberg_16.jpg?itok=w4ZvNLRQ)
On building websites for the Oberlin College Archives
“My time in the archives department in Mudd Library allowed me to apply my coursework in computer science to a fascinating niche of Oberlin College’s history.”
Eva Fineberg ’16
![A musical duo with acoustic guitar and soprano saxophone](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/andrew_flachs_11.jpg?itok=LnqHmzDh)
On their Winter Term project
“Touring as the saxophone and classical guitar duo Syzygy proved to be a defining moment in both of our burgeoning musical careers.”
Andrew Flachs ’11
![Ruth Adler Rosensweig. Black & white yearbook photo.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/ruth_adler_rosensweig_68.jpg?itok=6cc-h5Tp)
On the emergence of political awareness
“Before coming to Oberlin, I had never seen a demonstration or sit-in or even considered challenging government or college administration policy.”
Ruth Adler Rosensweig ’68