About the President Marvin Krislov became the 14th President of Oberlin College in summer 2007. He came to Oberlin from the University of Michigan, where he had been vice president and general counsel since 1998. Mr. Krislov led the University of Michigan's legal defense of its admission policies, resulting in the 2003 Supreme Court decision recognizing the importance of student body diversity. A Rhodes Scholar, he earned a doctor of laws degree from Yale Law School, a master's degree in modern history from Oxford University's Magdalen College, and a bachelor's degree from Yale University. MORE ABOUT THE PRESIDENT >

The End of an Amazing Semester
December 17, 2008

Amazing as it seems, we are swirling through Oberlin's end-of-first-semester vortex. Through gray days, early nightfall, and heavy tension, students are reading, studying, writing papers, taking exams, performing in recitals, playing in concerts and operas, finishing art projects, finalizing winter-term plans, and somehow finding time to breathe, to have some fun, and, I hope, to sleep and exercise, all while longing for the break to finally arrive. Faculty members are grading papers and exams, meeting with students, making preparations for winter term and second semester, attending meetings, finding time to attend myriad cultural events, getting ready for the holidays, and, I hope, managing to sleep and exercise, even as they count the hours until break.

Since we're all crazy busy, semi-exhausted, and eyeing the exits, I'll keep this short. Thanks so much to our students, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni for helping make fall semester 2008 truly remarkable. From the campus-wide photo in balmy September to the latest campus snow scenes, the semester has seen the fantastic culmination of Oberlin's 175th anniversary celebrations.

There have been so many highlights. Top of the chart has to be the November election, when Oberlin's spirit of social activism and civic involvement was amazingly demonstrated. Regardless of which candidates you supported, the passion, energy, and engagement of the College and community were awe-inspiring. 

This semester also featured an outstanding group of Convocation speakers and guest lecturers—Johnetta Betsch Cole '57, Frank Rich, Stephen Sondheim, Newt Gingrich, Bob Barr, Michael Pollan, Robin D.G. Kelley, Adrian Fenty '92, and Shibley Telhami—as well as a number of excellent symposia on a diverse array of topics. The Artists' Recital Series fall performances were fantastic, as were the art, music, and theater offerings organized by our students, faculty, and fellow Oberlin citizens.

Individual students had some memorable academic accomplishments. Senior Lucas Brown was named a 2009 Rhodes Scholar, becoming Oberlin's first Rhodes Scholar since 1991. And senior Helen Hare, who was named a Truman Scholar last March, was present at the Founder's Day ceremony, when Oberlin College received official designation as one of two 2008 Truman Foundation Honor Institutions. Since its inception, this designation has been awarded to just 65 institutions of higher education, of which only 11 are colleges.

I am looking ahead to another outstanding semester. In the meantime, I wish you all well with your winter-term projects. If you are in San Francisco, Seattle, or Los Angeles in January, please try to attend the Conservatory's inaugural West Coast tour. It features eighth blackbird and the Prima Trio with members of the Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble in San Francisco and Seattle, and the Oberlin Conservatory Symphony Orchestra playing in Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles. Visit the West Coast tour web site for more details. Faculty and staff members can purchase tickets to the concerts by sending e-mail to the Office of Public Programs or calling the office at x56785.

On Martin Luther King Day, January 19, the Oberlin Conservatory Symphony Orchestra will give a preview concert of its Los Angeles program at 7 p.m. in Finney Chapel. Bridget-Michaele Reischl will conduct, and Angela Cheng will be the pianist in a world premiere of Huang Ruo's piece Hanging Cliffs. The orchestra also will perform Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 and Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D Major.

In closing, I want to note the retirement of John Olmsted, professor of English. John's entire teaching career, which began 38 years ago after he received his PhD from Harvard University, has been devoted to teaching at Oberlin. John is beloved by generations of students and esteemed by his peers. Please join me in wishing him all the best in the coming years.

I wish you safe travels, happy holidays, a great winter term, and all the best in 2009!