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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![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
![Woman wearing headphones and microphone on a production set.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/paula_gordon_68.jpg?itok=rsegP_AE)
On her first job in television
“Was I qualified? Well … if a passion for democracy, a work ethic honed by four wonderfully challenging years at Oberlin, and a hunger to succeed counted - and we could skip the part about what he...
Paula Gordon ’68
![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
![Zach holding a trumpet.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/zach_resnick_16.jpg?itok=LqL8ZUDR)
On creating Yafo Harmony
“I proposed a program that combined all my passions—social justice, music, and language learning—and with a generous CIGSIE grant, I was able to bring it to life in Yafo.”
Zach Resnick ’16
![People with plates of food in a small wooden structure.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/rachel_bouer_12.jpg?itok=nh3tttS7)
On building a community
“The lights of the Sukkah exceeded my expectations. A full belly and a fall scarf kept me warm as the lights around me glowed, showing off the work the co-op had done together the day before. Oberlin...
Rachel Bouer ’12
![Lauren is seated at a folding table covered with papers and books](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/lauren_crawford_16.jpg?itok=-vwmk45m)
On teaching an ExCo on Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment
“I realized I needed to create a space where I could discuss many issues present in contemporary Christian theology with only my peers.”
Lauren Crawford ’16
![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
![Arianna playing electric bass on stage](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/arianna_gil_16.jpg?itok=Amamxqz3)
On finding a personal space
“Establishing meaningful relationships with supportive professors through hard work and dedication is the most important thing you can do as a new student.”
Arianna Gil ’16
![Ryan at a dinner table with Barbara Sawhill.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/ryan_brazell_05.jpg?itok=tIwEAR5V)
On the Oberlin ethos
“It’s about refusing to put ANYONE into a box, regardless of what they may appear to be on the surface. It’s about treating others with dignity, and kindness, and respect, regardless of whether you...
Ryan Brazell ’05
![Maddy with the other Business Scholars.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/maddy_dunn_16.jpg?itok=XBxxOC4q)
On lessons learned during the Business Scholars program
“If I stayed true to myself and focused on my strengths, I could make my own version of business.”
Maddy Dunn ’16
![Wearing an audio headset, Jabali works with a couple of school-age boys](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jabali_sawicki_00.jpg?itok=7UNTs13M)
Contributed by Prof. Laurie McMillin
“Jabali left Oberlin in 2000 with a degree in Biology and no set plans. But he knew he wanted to teach... At the age of 27, he became the principal of Excellence Charter School in Bedford Stuyvesant...
Jabali Sawicki ’00