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In the two short years since he graduated from Oberlin College, Matthew A. Kaplan ’07 has  wasted no time in making himself at home in the nation’s capital. The former junior and senior class president – and OC men’s basketball starter – is now a legislative assistant for U.S. Congressman Harry Mitchell (D-Arizona), serving as a policy adviser in the areas of tax, finance, banking, economic policy, foreign affairs, defense, and veteran’s issues. His previous job was Washington-based, too. Before he had even received his diploma, Kaplan was hired by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown. But without the experiences he had as an undergraduate at Oberlin, Kaplan doubts that he would be sitting where he is today.
“Oberlin creates an environment where it is possible for a student to discuss class readings with faculty members over dinner, travel the country with a varsity sports team, and connect with alumni during winter term internships,” says Kaplan. “The variety of opportunities that are available to students will help them succeed in their lives after Oberlin.”
So how did Kaplan – a Pomona, California native and a first-generation college student – find his way to Northeast Ohio to attend a small liberal arts college in Oberlin?
“Oberlin found me!” jokes Kaplan.
In a more serious tone, Kaplan explains that although neither of his parents graduated from college, they raised him with the understanding that higher education was a necessity, not a choice. And, growing up right next door to Claremont College, Kaplan’s mother took him to the numerous free lectures, recitals, and plays that were offered to community members.
“Being exposed to the power of a liberal arts education from an early age really instilled in me the desire to attend a top-ranked liberal arts college,” he says.
But it took a recommendation from Kaplan’s 11 th grade English teacher, who knew about Oberlin through a family member living at Kendal, to convince him to take a look at the college for its outstanding academics, generous financial aid, and world class art and music programs. In a slightly devious maneuver, she also mentioned that he could still play basketball at the college level if he attended Oberlin – a Division III school. Kaplan, who graduated with over a 4.0 GPA and played hoops for one of California’s top basketball programs, was sold on the idea that he could continue gracing the hardwood and hitting the books as a student-athlete Oberlin.
Still, Kaplan had more than basketball and academics on the brain when he applied to Oberlin. In fact, it was the financial support and scholarships offered by the College that convinced him Oberlin stood by its long tradition of providing access to all student by meeting 100 percent of their demonstrated financial need. And, adds Kaplan, the personal attention given to him by the financial aid officers he met with as a prospective student made all the difference in the world when it was time to make his final decision.
Much of the financial aid Kaplan received came from current-use, unrestricted gifts that were made to the Oberlin Alumni Fund by Oberlin alumni, parents, and friends. Oberlin considers scholarship support for students who would otherwise be unable to afford an Oberlin education and the opportunities it provides to be one of its highest institutional priorities. Every year, more than 87 percent of the gifts made to the Alumni Fund are used to provide these students with financial assistance. These gifts also improve every aspect of an Oberlin education, both in and out of the classroom, and can be used to fund guest speakers, intramural sports, and musical performances. Alumni Fund gifts can even be used to cover living expenses for student interns, as Kaplan discovered when he was awarded the Peter Goldsmith Internship Scholarship and spent the summer in New York City on the set of 60 Minutes.
“Working at CBS and 60 Minutes strengthened my conviction that if you have a platform and a voice you need to use it for the common good,” says Kaplan. “Few people have an audience of millions to share their thoughts with or report on the state of America and the world beyond.”
By his junior year, Kaplan had declared Law & Society as his major, with religion and philosophy as minors. His interest in public service and politics led him to run for class president, a position he held for both his junior and senior years. But the driving force behind Kaplan’s hands-on attitude and love of public service was crystallized during a philosophy class with Professor Timothy Hall.
“Professor Hall challenged my idealism and forced me to think critically about how to turn ideals into action. An idea without action is just an idea,” he says.
And turning ideals into action is something Kaplan hopes to be doing for a long, long time, as he continues building a career in Washington. But Kaplan has put a decidedly Oberlin twist on his career plans – he hopes to make his career one of public service and giving back.
“At the core of public service is helping others,” Kaplan explains. “That same core is at the heart of Oberlin's unwavering financial commitment to all students. From internship stipends to an incredible financial aid package, Oberlin’s generosity gave me the opportunity to learn what I needed to succeed.” |
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