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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![Francesca hand out information while wearing a Day of Service 2008 tee shirt](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/francesca_minonne_08.jpg?itok=AYAV0hyH)
On her connection to the town of Oberlin
“I will take what I have learned with me: that academics and civic engagement can and should be combined, producing something far more enriching together than either alone.”
Francesca Minonne ’08
![Two students wearing 'SITES' shirts sit in a circle with young children in a school classroom](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/leah_goldman_13.jpg?itok=UpQcFKje)
On teaching Spanish
“Teaching in SITES taught me to be patient, creative, and willing to make mistakes. But I became more confident as a teacher every day I saw my students become more confident in their learning.”
Leah Goldman ’13
![Anna at a Chicago bus stop](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/anna_band_14.jpg?itok=t8N_ZZFM)
On supportive friendships
“Among the many things I’ve learned from my best friend is to be proactive about my life. You can’t just sit around and wait for opportunities to come to you - you have to take matters into your own...
Anna Band ’13
![Sam rides atop an improbably tall bicycle.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sam_quintal_06.jpg?itok=RUjFcwLJ)
Elizabeth Myers Houston on her housemate Sam
“...the picture of him in his fancy clothes on his cobbled-together bicycle struck me as a perfect summary of Oberlin: ingenuity, skillfully creative awesomeness, and musical excellence, all...
Sam Quintal ’06
![Holland holds a young boy in her arms](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/holland_hamilton_11.jpg?itok=VHYlpVrP)
On the “best kept secret in the Midwest”
“Before coming to Oberlin, I had sworn off theater completely. In fact, I was done with performing in general. But looking back, I have no clue how I thought I could have gotten away with choosing...
Holland Hamilton ’11
![Rugby players run downfield. The one with the ball appears fearless.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/marne_litfin_07.jpg?itok=P-CWkRkC)
On her first day of practice with the women’s rugby team
“These were, I realized while I stood apart from them, the strongest and craziest women I had ever met. I had to be one of them. I didn’t know if I had it in me, but I couldn’t leave without trying.”
Marne Litfin ’07
![Ben reading at a library table](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/ben_klebanoff_09.jpg?itok=ukh3K-DN)
On Oberlin’s Student Senate
“Students take active roles in all levels of the Oberlin administration, help determine the courses that are available for students to take, and help make hiring decisions.”
Ben Klebanoff ’09
![Shawn gives a piggyback ride to a friend.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/shawn_roggenkamp_08.jpg?itok=2FmpW9iI)
On bonding over Boredom, a semi-improvised drama
“My other friends couldn’t believe that we had Saturday night rehearsals, but the cast would have all spent Saturday nights together regardless.”
Shawn Roggenkamp ’08
![Group of dancers in a dance studio](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jennifer_jimenez_17.jpg?itok=7o4lTguo)
On joining Latin dance group Movimiento
“Walking into rehearsal every Thursday and Sunday night, I am greeted with hugs and kisses and an energy that is as vibrant as the salsas and merengues we dance to.”
Jennifer Jimenez ’17
![Melissa with her graduating daughter.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/melissa_ballard.jpg?itok=6-cfKC2f)
On identifying with her students
“I know many of the students and some of their struggles, in part because their struggles were once my own... But I also know that as these graduates walked off that stage, they felt exultant.”
Melissa Ballard
![Four people peek over a snowbank](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/chantal_desomer_09.jpg?itok=xzeWLp2-)
On writing a novel
“I was afraid I would not be able to finish the novel by the end of the semester, but I did it. It is not polished, but it is a complete story. Coming to Oberlin and taking creative writing classes...
Chantal de Somer ’09
![Susan in the 1970s.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/susan_troy_76.jpg?itok=q9k_hHNH)
On opportunity
“I showed up at a meeting with a vague notion that I might want to work as an intern on Capitol Hill. What I hadn’t expected was that a professor I barely knew, Paul Dawson, would place me with an up...
Susan Troy ’76