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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On entrepreneurship
“The flexibility and desire to allow students to do what they believe is best for them has paid off in more ways than I can count and led to lifelong entrepreneur endeavors.”
R. Jon MacDonald ’03
On keeping a dream alive
“While I chose Oberlin for the strength and opportunities of its science programs, I was overjoyed to find that Oberlin not only had a circus, but it had the facilities and equipment for aerial work.”
Zoe Beach ’17
On starting the Free Store
“I am so grateful to have been at a place where ideas like the Free Store... are so well-received and supported. Oberlin is really a great place to have initiative on any scale.”
Kym Buzdygon ’07
On joining the Oberlin Christian Fellowship
“People within this community — or family rather — had strong desires for social justice and impact, and wanted to bring all of their friends on campus into this family, including me.”
Gabriel Moore ’15
On embracing writing
“Oberlin revolutionized the way I think about writing - which in turn shaped me not just as a learner but also as an individual.”
Anna Zeemont ’13
On living in a program house
“I can’t wait to return to Asia House in the fall. I believe that program houses offer a concentrated version of Oberlin-- fellowship, community, and learning all packed together into single...
Rose Wesche ’12
On OC Dems
“it is a collaborative organization that seeks to educate students and community members and promote political action, no matter which side of the aisle a person happens to fall in.”
Lyz Glickman ’13
On things working out
“School has had its ups and downs, but going into my senior year, I can finally understand why people say that college is such a good time in your life; when people said that to me freshman year, I...
Hyacinth Parker ’17
On organizing a winter term project about coal’s life-cycle effects in central Appalachia
“thanks to the strength of the Oberlin community and the support that is so close at hand, the road between imagination and realization isn’t as far as it might seem.”
Benjamin Jakubowski ’11
On the haven that is a college library
“Since that fateful phone call during my first year it has become second nature to, when in doubt, go to Mudd.”
Sarah Minion ’17
On a poignant winter term project
“The lessons I learned and the experiences I added to my cache in life have yet to fully reveal their meaning to me; I know, however, that these lessons will continue to guide me throughout the rest...
Megan Cox ’18
On studying abroad
“I embraced that experience because it helped me learn a lot more about myself. I found my voice, my interest in learning different languages, and my interest in teaching.”
Jessica DePaz ’14