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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![Reid Gershbein](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/reid_gershbein_93.jpg?itok=zq2d1QdF)
On working at Pixar and Dreamworks Animation
“None of these events would have happened to me if it hadn’t been for Oberlin’s amazingly nurturing environment, fantastic camaraderie, and the best mentor a student could have.”
Reid Gershbein ’93
![A student touches a transparent globe that contains bolts of electricity](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/gabrielle_walsh_18.jpg?itok=kV_g0J50)
On a foundational winter term project
“Under Professor Matlin, I gained confidence in my lab work and got to befriend older student researchers who were already engrossed in the chemistry department and greater scientific community.”
Gabrielle Walsh ’18
![Group of runners in OC uniforms after a race](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/leo_harrington_16.jpg?itok=WXEV64TH)
On support networks
“The people here have copious and astoundingly diverse passions of their own but will also go to incredible lengths to help you pursue yours, in all likelihood because someone did the same for them.”
Leo Harrington ’16
![2 women look at a menu](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/anne_hoffman_08.jpg?itok=so6FJofC)
On habits developed at Oberlin
“I spent mornings at Black River, nursing coffee and developing an addiction from which I have no intention of recovering. I read political theory that made my brain feel like it was on fire. I read...
Anne Hoffman ’08
![Three friends lay in the grass on a hillside.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/samantha_bass_11.jpg?itok=UOJfs_rM)
On building a sustainable coalition
“It amazes me that one year after proposing the Compost Work Group, composting is on its way to becoming a permanent reality at Oberlin.”
Samantha Bass ’11
![Hip-hop dancers at rehearsal](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/isabelle_harari_17.jpg?itok=rls76EgZ)
On performing with Oberlin’s female and trans* hip hop dance group And What!?
“Our identity as dancers makes sure our audiences leave with material to ponder, discuss, and continue to engage with after our shows.”
Isabelle Harari ’17
![Mathilda receives hugs and smiles from young children in an elementary school classroom.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/mathilda_mcgee-tubb_07.jpg?itok=hMRPPCua)
On education at Oberlin
“If allowing oneself to get to this point of utter submission to the universe of knowledge isn’t fearless, then I don’t know what is.”
Mathilda McGee-Tubb ’07
![Standing by a hillside with hands raised and mouth wide open](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/beth_rogers_07.jpg?itok=-n_31UKs)
On moving to China
“I struggled in basic conversation, couldn’t communicate emotion, couldn’t deal with the subtleties of the language at all, and couldn’t read anything ... in some ways I think I re-discovered the...
Beth Rogers ’07
![Sierra holds up a kitten, which paws at her glasses.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/sierra_zuber_11.jpg?itok=oPgRbuYz)
On combining love and science
“When I was starting work on my honors biology research with crayfish...I realized how many questions had been right in front of me at Ginko [Gallery] all the time.”
Sierra Zuber ’11
![Jessica receives a huge, ceremonial check for $10,000](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/jessica_levine_95.jpg?itok=7qmMCK6A)
On the level of teaching at Oberlin
“Great teachers make a difference in our lives because they knew how to support us and how to push us. Educators at Oberlin do so in the most masterful way. They are both craftsman and scholars. They...
Jessica Levine ’95
![Mike appears to fly while diving for a Frisbee.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/mike_dirda_09.jpg?itok=nNHE8SWO)
On the men’s Ultimate Frisbee team’s year-round outdoor practices
“The cold tests our mettle, and when a seemingly endless winter finally departs, we know that we’re tougher and harder than any of our opponents.”
Mike Dirda ’09
![In a school courtyard, Mike teaches jump rope to a group of boys and girls.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/mike_fry_09.jpg?itok=_vXQytJO)
On teaching jump rope in Tanzania
“It may seem unconventional. You’re right - it is. That’s part of what drew me to Oberlin. What I see on a daily basis are students who aren’t afraid to try something completely new, entirely...
Mike Fry ’09