Oberlin Alumni Magazine
Spring 2009 Vol. 104 No. 3
A Season for Change
It’s my first spring in Oberlin since my student days, and everything seems to cue a memory.
Remember April? The sunshine would bring us to Wilder Bowl between classes, where we’d emerge from our winter naps like kittens: a sea of stretching arms and yawns, an abundance of smiles. The nights were still chilly, but we’d sleep with the windows open regardless; the air always smelled so new, so full of promise. Weekend walks in the Arb, stargazing in the North fields. Spring sports and t-shirt weather and co-op pizza eaten outside on the steps.
These were the moments in which we’d all pause to remind ourselves how much we loved being here. And then the clock would speed up, as if exponentially, and bring us to May in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Another school year behind us.
With the publication of this issue, the Oberlin Alumni Magazine has entered a new season as well. After serving for a decade as editor of OAM, Kelly Viancourt has accepted a new position in our office as director of print and publications. In this role, she will work closely with each department to ensure that all of Oberlin’s print projects are consistent, cost-effective, and in line with Oberlin’s commitment to sustainability. I simply can’t imagine a better person for the job.
Please join me in congratulating Kelly, and in thanking her for her many terrific years of leading the OAM team. In my short time here, I have received a flood of letters from alumni and parents, all filled with compliments on the OAM. The new editor has very big shoes to fill, indeed. (No pressure, Jeff!)
On a personal note, I’d like to thank Kelly for being so kind and helpful to me during the transition into my new job this past fall. She helped me more than she knows, and I’ll always be grateful.
Speaking of the new OAM editor, please allow me to introduce Jeff Hagan ’86. We received many more applications for the position than I ever could have predicted; despite the strong applicant pool, Jeff stood out immediately for his terrific ideas and intimate knowledge of Oberlin. I think you’re really going to like the new things that Jeff has planned for the OAM.
With every changing of the guard, there comes a great opportunity to evaluate where we’ve been and where we might go. Jeff, Kelly, and I are very excited to include you in this process; please look for the forthcoming readership survey that will be inserted into the summer issue of the OAM. Collecting your feedback and suggestions is a critical step towards our goal of taking the OAM to the next level.
Last but not least, we have recently started publishing an electronic newsletter called Around The Square, named after the print counterpart of yesteryear. It’s a wonderful way to stay in touch with campus news and events. If you haven’t received it, please make sure that we have your current e-mail address on file (Visit www.oberlin.edu/alumni and go to the OBIEWeb box).
I am very much looking forward to seeing many of you at Commencement/Reunion Weekend. In the meantime, enjoy the spring—and your springtime memories of Oberlin.