Oberlin Stories Project
On coordinating alternative spring break trips
“I appreciate the drive of everyone in the IYS leader group and their willingness to continue reflecting and moving forward with our ideas and work. ”
Sylvia Woodmansee ’15
On the lifelong connection to Oberlin’s values
“Oberlin instills in each student a dedication to improving the lives of others... I continue to incorporate my four years of experiences into my everyday life while working in the U.S. House of...
Christopher Sanders ’08
On finding community
“For me, La Casa has been an important touchstone with which to keep in contact with my Latino heritage and language--all too easy to lose sight of in the hustle and bustle of pursuing academics and...
Nico Lara ’18
On friendship
“Rather than watch Melanie’s cold slowly progress, we, her loyal third-floor Barrows friends, decided to take action. We needed a holiday, a new holiday, to celebrate all things Melanie.”
David Fegley ’13
On unexpected birthday surprises
“In that chord, I felt the warmth of belonging—my voice lost in the blend of others around me.”
Phoebe Hammer ’14
On a fateful spring break
“In the spring of 2004, I embarked on my first ever camping trip with two of my best friends from Oberlin ... I didn’t know yet, but on that trip, I’d caught a permanent case of the research bug. I...
Adina Langer ’06
On the Oberlin College Dialogue Center
“[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...
Kantara Souffrant ’08
On the last field hockey game of the season
“All at once, the reality of my situation hit me hard. In one hundred and eighty seconds my first varsity field hockey season would be over, and I found myself unprepared...I had never felt more part...
Emily Whitaker ’12
On working with the America Reads program
“Witnessing both of my students’ growth and finding creative ways to nourish their newly found enthusiasm gave me a deep sense of fulfillment.”
Raquel Farah-Robison ’11
On learning tango
“Nothing is as awkward as the first class of Argentine tango. Take two very nervous strangers, both aware of their mutual ignorance of dancing, make them stand chest-to-chest and hold each other, and...
Amy Hess ’12
On progress toward gender equality
“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...
Leanne Wagner ’76
On road trips with lacrosse teammates
“As we were passing the Firestone tire factory, I remarked, “All I can smell is burning rubber.” A minute later a car passed, the driver gesturing frantically. Glancing around, we realized that our...
Hank Willems ’76