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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![Six people walk across a road in single file.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sylvia_woodmansee_15.jpg?itok=WCK5EnAA)
On coordinating alternative spring break trips
“I appreciate the drive of everyone in the IYS leader group and their willingness to continue reflecting and moving forward with our ideas and work. ”
Sylvia Woodmansee ’15
![Two people hold up the flag of Chile](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/nico_lara_18.jpg?itok=6B5gmAR5)
On finding community
“For me, La Casa has been an important touchstone with which to keep in contact with my Latino heritage and language--all too easy to lose sight of in the hustle and bustle of pursuing academics and...
Nico Lara ’18
![Group of students on the steps of a house](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/dagmawi_gebreselasse_14.jpg?itok=wfK0aiKK)
On embracing independence
“Since coming to Oberlin, I have been fully responsible for my life and making important life decisions...I have started listening to myself and following my own path.”
Dagmawi Gebreselasse ’14
![A mysterious man in sunglasses grabs a notebook held by another.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/aaron_mucciolo_02.jpg?itok=M2QMK7gR)
On ObieGame
“Five years ago two Obies created a game. Showing great wit, they named it ObieGame. Beyond this, facts are amorphous at best.”
Aaron Mucciolo ’02
![Phoebe shows off a broken piñata.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/phoebe_hammer_14.jpg?itok=tAqzBhZO)
On unexpected birthday surprises
“In that chord, I felt the warmth of belonging—my voice lost in the blend of others around me.”
Phoebe Hammer ’14
![Two students with YB](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/kantara_souffrant_08.jpg?itok=uAf_61Xp)
On the Oberlin College Dialogue Center
“[we work] with the hopes of building an inclusive campus-climate and global community where individuals can interact with each other earnestly ... and live amongst each other with a sense of...
Kantara Souffrant ’08
![Yolanda at graduation.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/yolanda_walker_09.jpg?itok=S-a96tjJ)
On succeeding through adversity
“Oberlin takes those with ambition and provides them with a world of opportunities. I entered Oberlin as a housekeeper and graduated four years later with a degree in economics.”
Yolanda Walker ’09
![A volleyball player jumps for a ball high above the net](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/elizabeth_wong_12.jpg?itok=TZzq403U)
On her first home volleyball game at Oberlin
“It had been my dream to play college volleyball since I can remember and as I stood star struck looking up at the flag, I could not help but smile and realize that I had done it. I was living the...
Elizabeth Wong ’12
![Five women attending a conference](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/amanda_medress_09.jpg?itok=PWgZnK2H)
On the Oberlin College Dialogue Center
“We handle conflict through a social justice lens, which means acknowledging that differences in power and privilege inherently affect human interaction.”
Amanda Medress ’09
![Raquel Farah-Robison](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/raquel_farah_robison_11.jpg?itok=9Y1fvvsb)
On working with the America Reads program
“Witnessing both of my students’ growth and finding creative ways to nourish their newly found enthusiasm gave me a deep sense of fulfillment.”
Raquel Farah-Robison ’11
![Leanne with her daughter](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/leanne_wagner_76.jpg?itok=MKnd9j3H)
On progress toward gender equality
“Watching my daughter ... study with many more than one woman professor in the sciences, and not be constrained in her choices of what was to come after Oberlin, I realize that the Oberlin tradition...
Leanne Wagner ’76
![Arches of balloons in front of the Mudd building](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/george_saines_08.jpg?itok=DvBXuZVj)
On the genesis of a company
“[My roommate] had a crazy idea: working for yourself and starting a company is way more creative and fulfilling than working at a preexisting company, and here we are six months after graduation [...
George Saines ’08