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
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
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
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
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
On organizing a mentoring program in Lorain, OH
“The culture of Oberlin encourages students to get deeply involved in what they are passionate about and to make a difference.”
PJ Carter ’09
On Oberlin’s student-run circus
“Circus stood for the things I valued: inclusion, family, daring, theatre without drama, strength, flexibility, clumsiness, music, love. If anyone asked me what I cared about, circus would be one of...
Aries Indenbaum ’09
In summarizing her many Oberlin memories
“There is so much to do and learn at Oberlin... if you are admitted, choose Oberlin; when there, take as many different courses as you can, meet as many people as possible.”
Karen Gebhart Flint ’64
On starting the One Song Dance Parties in Mudd
“It answered the rarely asked question: why shouldn’t stress reduction and (albeit short) physical activity be fun, promoted, and in an academic space?”
Jackie Mostow ’12
On reawakening an interest in accessibility
“As a Student Accessibility Advocate, my world at Oberlin expanded. I met new people just as interested in conversations about disability as I was, people whom I now consider some of my closest...
Rebecca Klein ’18
On learning beyond one’s major
“I think it is a uniquely Oberlin phenomenon that introductory courses are every bit as interesting and rigorous as upper level courses, and it was this strength that encouraged me to diversify my...
Brendan Veeneman ’07
On finding the lull in the storm
“I have learned the value of quiet... that taking a break from thinking so hard to just feel for a moment is what makes me happiest at Oberlin.”
Lena Glickman ’15
On getting to Oberlin and returning
“Once here, I never looked back. I went off to war, came back after three years, graduated in 1949, married a classmate in Fairchild Chapel, took up that career in journalism, and returned 56 years...
Jim Sunshine ’46