TABLE OF CONTENTS OBERLIN ALUMNI MAGAZINE 2015 / SPRING VOL. 110 NO. 2 CON-QUEST An aerial view of the campus from 1964 shows, at top, the old Warner and Rice halls, which housed much of the programs of the Oberlin Conservatory and, at bottom, the new conservatory complex, dedicated in 1964. Warner was demolished that same year to make room for the King Building. DEPARTMENTS 2 From the President 3 Obereactions 4 Around Tappan Square Vermilion’s colors, Krislovs’ cameos, and props for College Press, science students, the Apollo, and Professor Rosen, plus a moving return to Mississippi for the Carpenters for Christmas. 8 Thought Process Demon-free dry bar, discreet charm of Bun� uel the younger, the science of Interstellar, and the poetry of Pulitzer Prizewinner Vijay Seshadri ‘74, plus Bookshelf. 30 AlumniNotes 42 OberlinLosses 44 EndQuotes FEATURES 14 Stories From the Other Side of the American Dream Laurie Collyer ‘89 is a filmmaker who tells tales of dreams deferred and denied. Next in her lens: Marilyn Monroe. 18 Conservatory Turns 150 Still looks great for its age. 20 CharmCityCharmer Stephanie Rawlings-Blake ‘92 grew up in Baltimore politics and knows the city well. If only she could get others to see the city beyond The Wire. 24 TheNextBigThing? The participants in this year’s LaunchU pitch competition are ready to take off. 26 ChrisBaymiller‘71Unplugged The after-dark prince of Wilder Hall just might be wilder than you think. ON THE COVER: Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake ‘92 followed in her father’s footsteps—but clearly in very different shoes. Photograph by Tanya Rosen-Jones ‘97 for OAM. OBERLIN ALUMNI MAGAZINE 2015 / SPRING 1 OBERLIN COLLEGE ARCHIVES