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 group of women dressed for an evening event](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/chelsea_de_souza_16.jpg?itok=UQ0bum2D)
On learning to choose
“Oberlin has helped me with something that I have struggled with my entire life — the strength to make choices and believe in them despite any regrets that might follow.”
Chelsea de Souza ’16
![An outdoor stand with many cards of earrings on a board.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/monica_greene_07.jpg?itok=4_GyNoXz)
On starting a non-profit while still at Oberlin
“The Heart Project was intended to be a small jewelry sale, but developed into something much bigger than we ever imagined.”
Monica Greene ’07
![Two women seated in a room with several windows](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/julia_maier_12.jpg?itok=n-Yrrx-K)
On Oberlin family history
“If I stare carefully at the ceiling of the turret and employ my imagination, I can see the mural mosaic that was painted while my father lived in the room.”
Julia Maier ’12
![Tim at graduation.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/tim_russell_92.jpg?itok=MDxrz2Ev)
On acceptance at Oberlin
“Oberlin opened a world to me that I never knew existed ... It represented the diversity that the world has to offer, not just race and ethnicity, but religion and sexual orientation, in a safe and...
Tim Russell ’92
![Protesters holding a sign reading We March for Pablo Lopez Romero](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/cynthia_malasky_11.jpg?itok=Ve_nhxr-)
On working with IWP
“For two months, I have been in charge of the Oberlin region, working with two other student interns to teach English classes, serve as interpreters, and prepare for court cases for undocumented and...
Cynthia Malasky ’11
![Nolan in a classroom.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/nolan_grieve_10.jpg?itok=HiPJUcYr)
On an Oberlin education
“Each semester, to my continual surprise, Oberlin provides me both with the raw material of life experience and the tools with which to shape it into something with purpose.”
Nolan Grieve ’10
![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
![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
![Qian extends her palms as if she's holding the sun.](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/qian_cheng_13.jpg?itok=z5IZZKP9)
On finding her path
“Oberlin opens up so many opportunities and challenges for students to explore life choices that even if you have absolutely no idea what you are heading for... you will always somehow find your...
Qian Cheng ’13
![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
![Students with President Krislov show off creates full of lightbullbs](https://www.oberlin.edu/sites/default/files/styles/story_350/public/content/story/image/kristin_braziunas_08.jpg?itok=VmfFqcDS)
On coordinating the Light Bulb Brigade
“Ten months, 10,000 light bulbs, and one bachelor’s degree later... this is something that for me has come to define Oberlin.”
Kristin Braziunas ’08
![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