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.
Add your story
On the Oberlin College Dialogue Center
Kantara Souffrant ’08
“[we work] with the hopes of building an inclusive campus-climate and global community where individuals can interact with each other earnestly ... and live amongst each other with a sense of...
On organizing a conference his senior year
Daniel Domaguin ’06
“[it was] an event whose legacy affects others and permeates the thought processes, ideals and actions of students who continue to advocate for Ethnic Studies, equality and social justice on campus...
On being a biology tutor
Abigail Lofchie ’12
“I like... seeing students become comfortable with the material so that they can enjoy it instead of just seeing the class as a source of stress.”
On studying abroad in France
Rachel Ippolito ’13
“I was lost. But rather than moping around in disappointment, I decided to embrace the novelty of all that was around me.”
On progress toward gender equality
Leanne Wagner ’76
“Watching my daughter ... study with many more than one woman professor in the sciences, and not be constrained in her choices of what was to come after Oberlin, I realize that the Oberlin tradition...
On making friends
Emily Brennan ’15
“The benefits of the meaningful conversations I had with my new friends outside of the classroom were robust... My friends became my teachers — a true Oberlin education.”
On fighting back
Amanda Turley ’10
“My freshman year, I joined the planning committee for Oberlin’s first ever Relay for Life. For the event, I started my own team: the Pirates Dueling Cancer, decked out in black and red pirate attire...
Elizabeth Myers Houston on her housemate Sam
Sam Quintal ’06
“...the picture of him in his fancy clothes on his cobbled-together bicycle struck me as a perfect summary of Oberlin: ingenuity, skillfully creative awesomeness, and musical excellence, all...
On the lasting effects of her time at Oberlin
Martha J. Tenney ’83
“Years later I have a career in public health and the things I love are the things I loved that helped create the squiggly route to NOW. ”
On learning Russian during Winter Term
Gwen Krosnick ’08
“Sharing, with two of my best friends, those moments of joy and frustration, hilarity and utter confusion - it is something I could never have dreamed of anywhere but Oberlin, something I will...
On discovering intramural sports at Oberlin
Ashley Docherty ’13
“At Oberlin, I expected to just exercise my mind; playing intramural basketball gave me a chance to get moving and be a part of a team.”
On bonding over Boredom, a semi-improvised drama
Shawn Roggenkamp ’08
“My other friends couldn’t believe that we had Saturday night rehearsals, but the cast would have all spent Saturday nights together regardless.”