Grammy-Winning Artist Zach Brock Joins ��سԹ� Conservatory</h1> <article> <h1>Grammy-Winning Artist Zach Brock Joins ��سԹ� Conservatory</h1> <p>kviancou — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:52:28 +0000</p> <span>Grammy-Winning Artist Zach Brock Joins ��سԹ� Conservatory</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-06-03T10:52:28-04:00" title="Wednesday, June 3, 2026 - 10:52">Wed, 06/03/2026 - 10:52</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In fall 2026, violinist and composer <a href="https://www.zachbrock.com">Zach Brock</a> will join the <a href="/conservatory">��سԹ� Conservatory</a> faculty as an associate professor of multi-genre performance and <a href="/improvisation">improvisation</a>.</p><p>Called “the preeminent improvising violinist of his generation” by critics, Brock possesses a background spanning chamber music, orchestral writing, and jazz improvisation. He is a three-time Grammy winner as a longstanding member of the contemporary jazz band Snarky Puppy. His recordings with the group include 2016’s <em>Culcha Vulcha</em>, 2020’s <em>Live at the Royal Albert Hall,</em> 2022’s <em>Empire Central</em>, and 2025’s <em>Somni</em>. Brock was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album for his 2022 solo album <em>Dirty Mindz</em>. </p><p>“I am deeply honored to join the esteemed faculty at one of the world's truly great conservatories,” Brock says. “Many of my most admired colleagues are ��سԹ� graduates, and their musicianship and collaborative spirits speak volumes about the institution.”</p><p>“We are very excited to welcome Zach to the faculty,” says Associate Professor of Jazz Studies <a href="/jay-ashby">Jay Ashby</a>. “Zach is recognized globally as one of the premier violinists in the industry, especially in regard to jazz and adjacent styles. That, coupled with his extensive background in traditional orchestral repertoire, contemporary chamber music, electronic music, and various styles of pop music, makes Zach truly unique. Importantly, Zach also readily draws upon his ability to improvise and compose while navigating these different genres, effectively blurring previously existing lines between them.”</p><p>Brock has a long relationship with ��سԹ�, having previously served as a visiting artist several times in the conservatory’s Performance and Improvisation (PI) Program during the last decade. Most recently, this included a 2025 collaboration with students in Performance and Improvisation Ensembles. <br><br>“In each of his mini-residencies, Zach has quickly demonstrated his ability to engage the students, leading them to explore new and different approaches to their instruments and helping them find more profound connections to making music—typically, in musical styles and settings that are well outside their previous musical experiences,” Ashby says.</p><p>Raised in Lexington, Kentucky, Brock trained as a classical violinist at Northwestern University and developed his improvisational voice in Chicago. After relocating to New York, he performed at Carnegie Hall at the invitation of Dave Douglas, toured internationally with Stanley Clarke, and became the first violinist to record for Criss Cross Jazz in the label’s 32-year history. </p><p>Selected for Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center in 2002 and named a Rising Star Violinist by <em>DownBeat</em>, he has since collaborated with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Dave Liebman, Eric Harland, Arun Ramamurthy, Matt Ulery, and many others. His trio record <em>Wonderment</em> appeared on Best of 2019 lists in <em>Downbeat</em> and <em>Jazziz</em>. As a composer, Brock premiered his orchestral suite “What Remains” for violin and string orchestra with the Lexington Chamber Orchestra in May 2026, with orchestration by composer and arranger Jochen Neuffer. </p><p>Prior to coming to ��سԹ�, Brock spent five years as Boyer Artist-in-Residence at Temple University and was on the adjunct faculty of the New School in New York City for over a decade. He is a member of the collective Brock/Lanzetti/Ogawa and regularly appears as a guest artist with the Ahn Trio. Along with his ��سԹ� appointment, Brock will continue to perform with Snarky Puppy and serve as artistic director of the Chamber Music Festival of Lexington. </p><p>“I firmly believe that the sum total of a musician is more than their professional acumen alone,” Brock says. “The truly great musical artists are also imbued with a sense of moral purpose and a vision to uplift humanity. ��سԹ� has made this a cornerstone of its values since its founding. To now have the opportunity to help shape the next generation of multi-genre artists, sending them into the world with both technical excellence and that same expansive sense of purpose, is my calling.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The Snarky Puppy violinist and composer joins the faculty as associate professor of multi-genre performance and improvisation.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-06-03T12:00:00Z">Wed, 06/03/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=464502">Improvisation</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Associate Professor of Multi-Genre Performance and Improvisation Zach Brock</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Shervin Lainez</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Maya McDermott '26 Earns Fulbright to Argentina</h1> <p>dfrezza — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:21:35 +0000</p> <span>Maya McDermott '26 Earns Fulbright to Argentina</span> <span><span>dfrezza</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-28T15:21:35-04:00" title="Thursday, May 28, 2026 - 15:21">Thu, 05/28/2026 - 15:21</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>What are you looking forward to the most with your Fulbright? </strong><br>I spent a semester studying abroad in Buenos Aires in the spring of 2025, and absolutely fell in love with the capital city and the country as a whole. I’m thrilled to return to Argentina and potentially experience living in a different part of the country. </p><p>I’m also looking forward to getting to know my students and further immersing myself in Argentine culture. I studied Spanish throughout my entire time at ��سԹ�, so I’m excited to continue to improve my Spanish-speaking skills and live again in a country I’ve come to embrace and deeply appreciate.</p><p><strong>How did ��سԹ� shape or influence you to pursue the Fulbright?</strong><br>My time at ��سԹ� completely informed my decision to pursue a <a href="/news/oberlin-celebrates-years-fulbright-winners" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="b8a20a4f-3b1b-4ee9-8d92-315bcfa3703a" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="��سԹ� Celebrates This Year’s Fulbright Winners">Fulbright,</a> particularly my experience in the SITES program. I learned about SITES through the Hispanic Studies department. While I had little to no teaching experience prior to starting the program, I was interested in working with children and thought it would be an interesting way to practice Spanish outside of the classroom. In SITES, I gained the pedagogical skills to teach to a variety of different ages, as well as learned the challenges and rewards of being an educator. I’ve also worked as a teaching assistant and tutor for HISP 101 and 102 classes in the college. Through this experience, I’ve discovered how much I enjoy working with college students, which is especially exciting as I prepare to do just that during my Fulbright in Argentina.</p><p><strong>How does pursuing the Fulbright align with your post-college life and career goals? </strong><br>While I’m not fully settled on my post-college career path, I’m interested in potentially attending graduate school for public policy with a focus in educational policy. With Fulbright, I hope to deepen my understanding of how a different country approaches issues such as education, governance, and social equity. This experience will allow me to bring to a future role a more global and inclusive approach to policy analysis and development. </p><p><strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received from your ��سԹ� faculty mentor?</strong><br>During my first semester in SITES, I was overcomplicating my lessons to compensate for the anxiety I felt about not being qualified enough to take on this new role. When I expressed this to Professor <a href="/kim-faber" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="3bf3f95e-4137-447b-bead-d8b75fce5941" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Kim Faber">Kim Faber</a>, the founder and head of the SITES program, she reassured me it was okay to feel nervous and trial and error was all part of the process. Through this conversation, I realized my biggest obstacle to becoming a confident teacher wasn’t a lack of qualifications, but self-doubt. <br><br>This moment speaks to the solid and unwavering support I’ve received from professors and mentors throughout my time at ��سԹ� to pursue all of my interests, often in spite of initial hesitation. Later on, when I was first considering applying for a Fulbright, the award’s prestige was intimidating. My friends, family, and several of my professors encouraged me to apply, even when I questioned whether I was qualified for such a competitive opportunity. I’m so grateful for the community at ��سԹ� that has consistently encouraged me to pursue opportunities that genuinely excite me.</p><hr><p><em>If you’re a rising or graduating senior interested in Fulbright, connect with </em><a href="/node/4526"><em>Fellowships & Awards</em></a><em> to learn more about pursuing research or an arts project, obtaining a graduate degree, or teaching English in a foreign country of your choice following graduation.</em></p><p> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The English and politics double major will work as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) at a teacher-training institution. </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-05-29T12:00:00Z">Fri, 05/29/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Maya McDermott '26 has earned a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to Argentina for the 2026-2027 academic year. At ��سԹ�, the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/english" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1407c1dc-ec04-4a04-bf44-267ef8c9c4e1" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="English">English</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="40fd290a-5375-4595-9b23-da92a8bf29d7" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Politics">politics</a> double major took part of the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/resources-and-support/sites" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="f836a21e-8e31-4d3a-b4df-16641967c0fd" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Spanish in the Elementary Schools">Spanish in the Elementary Schools</a> (SITES) program, where she taught Spanish to students in various grade levels at ��سԹ� Elementary School, as well as preschoolers at the Kendal Early Learning Center. McDermott also worked as a tutor for elementary Spanish courses and taught a baking class called SweetsCo through the ��سԹ� Experimental College.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3831">Fulbright</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/english" hreflang="und">English</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tommy Chen</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Momo Song Suzuki ’20 Earns Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship</h1> <p>azaleski — Thu, 28 May 2026 18:35:01 +0000</p> <span>Momo Song Suzuki ’20 Earns Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship</span> <span><span>azaleski</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-28T14:35:01-04:00" title="Thursday, May 28, 2026 - 14:35">Thu, 05/28/2026 - 14:35</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Momo Song Suzuki ’20 has earned a <a href="/news/oberlin-celebrates-years-fulbright-winners">Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA)</a> to Taiwan for the 2026-2027 academic year. The comparative literature and musical studies major will be living and co-teaching English in Hualien, “a city nestled on the east side between the mountain range and the ocean,” they say. “Hualien is known for its natural beauty, so I’m excited to spend a lot of time outside, to go hiking and climbing, and to learn about the local ecology, especially from my students.” <br><br>While at ��سԹ�, Song Suzuki was a radio host on WOBC, a docent at the Allen Memorial Art Museum and member of OSCA in the Pyle Co-op. They were also a writing associate and program note writer at the Cleveland Chamber Choir and participated in orchestra and chamber music ensembles through the conservatory. Song Suzuki also taught in music classes at Prospect Elementary, and facilitated gamelan ensemble for kids from the Lorain City Salvation Army.</p><p><strong>What are you looking forward to the most next year?</strong><br>I’m looking forward most to getting to know my students and to being a part of the community in many ways. I want to volunteer on farms and learn ancestral agricultural practices, talk to elders at farmers markets, and learn more about regional cooking. <br><br><strong>How did ��سԹ� shape or influence you to pursue the Fulbright? </strong><br>At ��سԹ�, getting a Fulbright is made out to be a commonplace thing; it feels like everyone does it. That certainly made it more approachable. But more broadly, the general culture and the professors really support exploration, whether that’s tumbling down a rabbit hole about a certain niche in literature, or learning a new language. I felt supported in my intellectual curiosities and pursuits, and ��سԹ� also gave me the opportunities to ground this in community work. </p><p>Whether working at the Allen, running a music afterschool program at the Salvation Army or teaching at Prospect Elementary, I had so many opportunities to share what I was passionate about, and use my studies to brighten other peoples’ lives as well. </p><p><strong>How does pursuing the Fulbright align with your post-college life and career goals? </strong><br>I just completed my master’s degree in special education with an endorsement in multilingual education. My goal is to eventually return to Seattle and be a special ed co-teacher in an inclusion model context; I would be the teacher focused on altering the instructional environment to meet all students’ needs.</p><p>Doing this Fulbright gives me the unique opportunity to teach beginner-level English. Thinking about how to effectively (and enjoyably) teach foundations like grammar and phonics will prepare me well for integrating these strategies into the American high school classroom context. </p><p>This is important to me because I work with students whose educational needs may not have been met; for example, these students may have reached high school with spotty reading skills. I want to be able to serve newcomer migrant and immigrant students. This is not training that’s readily available in the U.S., so I’m delighted by the opportunity to practice in Taiwan, all while being a beginner-level language learner myself in mandarin.</p><p><strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received from your ��سԹ� faculty mentors?</strong><br>I can’t think of one piece of advice, but overall, my ��سԹ� professors supported me so much by celebrating who I am and honoring my whole humanity, not just my skills as a student. </p><p>The late Professor of Comparative Literature and English Jed Deppman spent extra hours with me nerding out about interarts connections and translation, and gave space in class to pursue passion projects. He showed me that it’s worth pursuing what I’m interested in and encouraged me to see that I have a voice to share. </p><p>Other professors, like <a href="/jennifer-fraser">Jennifer Fraser</a>, let me cry in their office and supported me on a personal level, sharing their own difficult experiences so that I wouldn’t feel alone. I’m so grateful that Jennifer regularly reminded me to take care of myself, vent, laugh, and keep moving forward. </p><p>Professor of Musicology <a href="/charles-mcguire">Charles McGuire</a> was adamant about believing in my intelligence when my self-perception was clouded by imposter syndrome. He leveraged his position in the academy to hold the gate open and enthusiastically usher me in. </p><p>I was also lucky to have a private viola teacher, <a href="/peter-slowik">Peter Slowik</a>, in the conservatory. I think of him often when I’m working on individualizing instruction for my students, as he’s such a problem solver. Getting to have one-on-one time with professors like him, and in office hours, has truly inspired me to be a thoughtful one-on-one support for students. </p><p>I also think that the small, discussion-style classes at ��سԹ� prepared me to be a good discussion facilitator. <a href="/laurie-mcmillin">Laurie McMillin</a> especially held space for vulnerable group conversations connecting the personal with the academic; holding space like that is so much more than just an intellectual skill. She showed me how to bring in your heart and warmth into the classroom to create a safe learning environment for students. Asking probing questions while following students’ leads is my favorite part of teaching high school, and professors like Jed, Laurie, and Jennifer showed me how to be demanding and genuinely excited to hear students’ ideas. </p><p>Former fellowships director Nick Petzak once gave my class the advice that “people who win Fulbrights aren’t just interested in making their own projects better. They’re invested in improving everyone else' s projects along the way.” This really stuck with me and is an ethos I saw across ��سԹ�. It helped me to anchor my work in not just individual success, but in rising all tides. </p><hr><p><em>If you’re a rising or graduating senior interested in Fulbright, connect with </em><a href="/node/4526"><em>Fellowships & Awards</em></a><em> to learn more about pursuing research or an arts project, obtaining a graduate degree, or teaching English in a foreign country of your choice following graduation.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The comparative literature and musical studies major will be living and co-teaching English in Hualien, Taiwan.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-05-28T12:00:00Z">Thu, 05/28/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25316">Comparative Literature</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/comparative-literature" hreflang="und">Comparative Literature</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Emerson Ford</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Rollins Riffs</h1> <p>azaleski — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:10:44 +0000</p> <span>Rollins Riffs</span> <span><span>azaleski</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-26T11:10:44-04:00" title="Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 11:10">Tue, 05/26/2026 - 11:10</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><div title="Page 21"><div><div><div><p>Today, the ��سԹ� Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble proudly carries forth Rollins' legacy both on and off campus. </p><p>On May 25, 2026, Rollins <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/may/26/sonny-rollins-jazz-saxophone-dies-aged-95">died</a> at his home at the age of 95. To honor his storied life and commitment to nurturing the next generation of jazz musicians, we are republishing his conversation with ��سԹ�, which ran in the 2018 <em>��سԹ� Conservatory Magazine.</em></p><p><em>(This interview has been condensed for clarity.)</em></p><p><strong>With this gift, you’re also giving each student a command to live a life of service. How did the importance of service develop in you?</strong><br>I didn’t have much schooling. I didn’t go to university. I graduated from high school, and that was it. It was the university of the streets, as they say. After that, of course, I was very fortunate: I was talented. I had a musical gift. And I became associated with a lot of great artists who enhanced my playing. One thing that I realized was that, especially today, it’s not enough to be a gifted musician and to be able to play. It wouldn’t be enough when I was growing up, and it’s definitely not enough now. My life has shown me that you have to have something else in order to live. And a successful life is not just having a great talent. Life is about giving, not taking.</p><p>James McBride '79 was instrumental in my realizing that we could put this into the curriculum. The students have to do some kind of community service, and that’s all to understand that a successful life is about giving back. That way you’re honoring this great gift that you have.</p><p><strong>You played with many of jazz’s all-time greatest musicians. What would you want future generations to know about them?</strong><br>It’s been a learning process, and I am still learning, of course, which is what makes it all so beautiful. One of the things that I’d like to try to get the students to understand is that the great people that I’ve been fortunate to play with...they were all beautiful people. Each one of them. They were all good people.</p><p>So if these students want to think about some guys that they know ... whether it be Miles Davis or Coltrane or Thelonious Monk or Bud Powell, Charlie Parker ... They were good people in very hard situations, and they exemplified what I would like to see these students try to emulate, as well as emulating their music. Like [��سԹ� Jazz Studies founder] Wendell Logan. I didn’t even know Wendell Logan, but I knew of him. And that’s the type of spirit that these students should have. ��سԹ� is the perfect place to try to preach that to them.</p><p><strong>Your gift to ��سԹ� will have a resounding impact on young musicians for many years to come. How does that make you feel?</strong><br>Well, it’s beyond words. I don’t know. It’s too much to conceive of. I just hope that it helps the big picture along. I hope it’s a positive help in the world and in the society that we live in. I just hope that these talented people coming out of a great institution— the greatest, ��سԹ�—that they really shed light wherever they go, wherever they play, wherever they sing, wherever it is they do what they do. Shed light and realize that life is about the golden rule.</p></div></div></div></div></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">In 2017, the sax master reflected on his life in music and his connection to ��سԹ�.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-05-26T12:00:00Z">Tue, 05/26/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>When Sonny Rollins gave a generous gift to ��سԹ� College in 2017 to establish the <a href="/news/jazz-legend-sonny-rollins-designates-major-gift-oberlin">��سԹ� Conservatory of Music Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble Fund</a>, the jazz legend spoke to the college about the gift and the importance of service. </p><div title="Page 21"><div><div><div><p>"It’s an honor and a privilege to be involved in any way with ��سԹ�," said Rollins, who performed at the college many times in his storied career. </p></div></div></div></div></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Sonny Rollins, photographed for the 2018 ��سԹ� Conservatory magazine</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John Abbott</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>��سԹ� Honors the Class of 2026</h1> <p>eburnett — Mon, 25 May 2026 18:12:20 +0000</p> <span>��سԹ� Honors the Class of 2026</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-25T14:12:20-04:00" title="Monday, May 25, 2026 - 14:12">Mon, 05/25/2026 - 14:12</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p id="docs-internal-guid-f89aed37-7fff-9904-3e85-2bb853fae587">Gray skies eventually gave way to sunshine as nearly 800 graduates of ��سԹ�’s Class of 2026 gathered in Tappan Square on Memorial Day to celebrate Commencement.</p><p>The ceremony, featuring a keynote address from philanthropy leader <strong>Cecilia A. Conrad</strong>,<strong> </strong>capped a weekend of Commencement and Milestone Reunion festivities that included family socials, conservatory recitals, and an Illumination celebration that was moved indoors to dodge persistent rain.</p><p>Students processed onto the square in black robes, many of them adorned with colorful sashes and cords, to the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance," performed by the Commencement Brass Ensemble.</p><p>The celebration opened with an invocation from Multifaith Chaplain <strong>David Dorsey</strong>, followed by greetings from Board of Trustees Chair <strong>Charles S. Birenbaum ’79</strong>. Delivering his first Commencement remarks as chair, Birenbaum reflected on his family’s longstanding ties to ��سԹ�, including daughter Julia ’17.</p><p>“People who graduate from ��سԹ� do important work,” he said. “People who graduate from ��سԹ� push the borders of knowledge and energize society. You, too, will do this through your art, your music, creative writing, research, intensive study and analysis, and hard work.”</p><p>President <strong>Carmen Twillie Ambar</strong> welcomed the Class of 2026 by thanking students for contributing so much “to ��سԹ�’s success” and reminding them that they had not reached this milestone alone.</p><p>“I would like you to acknowledge the people who helped you be here—namely your parents, your grandparents, your families, your friends,” she said.</p><p>Ambar then introduced student speaker <a href="/news/katie-priscott-deliver-2026-student-commencement-address"><strong>Katie Priscott</strong></a>, who graduated with a degree in creative writing, a minor in dance, and a concentration in arts administration and leadership. Priscott (pictured below, at podium) urged her classmates to resist diminishing their accomplishments with the qualifier “just,” citing examples such as: “It’s <em>just</em> two pirouettes—I should be able to do three.”</p><p>She acknowledged the difficulty of graduating into “a country, an economy” that is difficult to think about for too long “without a pit growing in your stomach,” and the temptation to “fall into the void of the ‘justs’—that we’re <em>just</em> not equipped to do anything to make a difference, that it’s <em>just</em> too hard.”</p><p>Before concluding, Priscott offered one exception: “It’s for all of us to proudly say, ‘I <em>just</em> graduated from ��سԹ�!’”</p><p><a href="/news/oberlin-announces-2026-commencement-honorees">��سԹ� recognized six leaders </a>in public service, scholarship, the arts, and the community, with ��سԹ� faculty and trustees presenting honorary degrees and awards to exceptional alumni and friends of the college.</p><p><strong>Chloe E. Bird ’86</strong> received an Honorary Doctor of Science for her work as a leading sociologist in women’s health, whose research on structural inequities has helped advance policy and institutional change. </p><p>Internationally acclaimed dramatic soprano <strong>Christine Goerke</strong> received an Honorary Doctor of Music in recognition of her celebrated opera and concert career and her mentorship of young artists.</p><p><strong>Carla D. Hayden,</strong> who served as the 14th Librarian of Congress and was the first woman and first Black person to hold the position—as well as the first professional librarian confirmed to the role in more than 60 years—received an Honorary Doctor of Science. She is widely recognized for transforming the Library of Congress into a more open and accessible institution.</p><p>Economist <a href="/news/cecilia-conrad-deliver-commencement-address-class-2026">Cecilia A. Conrad</a>, founding CEO of Lever for Change and former head of the MacArthur Fellows Program, who is recognized for advancing equity in charitable giving and expanding opportunities for nonprofit innovation, received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Nearly 800 graduates march—and celebrate—at May 25 Commencement ceremony.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-05-25T12:00:00Z">Mon, 05/25/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3152">Commencement</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Scott Shaw</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="body-centered-layout"> <div id="obj-51074" data-direction="down" data-order="forward" data-count="4" class="stack pull"> <div class="stack__images"> </div> <div class="figcaption"> <div class="figure__credit"> Photo credit: Scott Shaw </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-51075" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>Additional honors recognized leaders in service and alumni achievement. <strong>Rosa Gadsden</strong> received the Award for Distinguished Service to the Community for her longstanding work as volunteer and outreach coordinator for ��سԹ� Community Services and for her impact across Lorain County. <strong>Leah Modigliani ’86</strong> received the Alumni Medal for her pioneering work in finance and for her 24 years of service on the ��سԹ� College Investment Committee.</p><p>In her Commencement address, Conrad (pictured above, at podium) reflected on her years leading the MacArthur Fellows Program—popularly known as the “Genius Grant,” the $850,000 fellowship awarded to individuals demonstrating extraordinary creativity. </p><p>“Fifteen ��سԹ� alumni have been named MacArthur Fellows—more than any other liberal arts college,” she said, arguing that ��سԹ�’s blend of arts, sciences, and interdisciplinary learning creates unusually fertile ground for innovation and creative thinking.</p><p>She pointed to alumni fellows such as wheelchair designer Ralph David Hotchkiss ’69, biologist Richard Lenski ’76, palliative care pioneer Diane Meier ’73, pianist and writer Jeremy Denk ’90, and theater director Julie Taymor ’74 as examples of ��سԹ� graduates whose work reshaped fields and improved lives.</p> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-51076" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--quotemark" data-text-color-red data-text-size-giant> <p>If you spend most of your time in rooms where you think you are the smartest person, find different rooms.”<em> —Cecilia A. Conrad</em></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-51077" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>One of the speech’s most memorable moments came when Conrad recounted calling ��سԹ� alumna Rhiannon Giddens ’00 to inform her that she had been selected as a MacArthur Fellow in 2017. Conrad recalled Giddens responding, “Oh good. Maybe I can try writing the opera I dreamed about.” Conrad noted that the resulting work, <em>Omar</em>—which tells the story of a Muslim scholar enslaved in America—premiered in 2022 and later won the Pulitzer Prize for Music. </p><p>Conrad connected the story to her broader point: that creativity flourishes when people are given resources, encouragement, and room to take risks. Throughout the address, Conrad distinguished between “Big C creativity,” the rare, world-changing innovation associated with MacArthur Fellows, and “little c creativity,” the everyday capacity for divergent thinking and problem-solving. She warned graduates that creativity in American society is declining and argued that ��سԹ�’s liberal arts environment helps preserve the ability to make “unexpected connections and find new paths to solve problems.”</p><p>“You are graduating with something statistically unusual,” she told the class, urging them to nurture that creative spark long after Commencement.</p><p>Conrad closed by offering four pieces of advice: </p><ul><li data-list-item-id="eb4a705b20062245a59cb534389f613ce">“Never stop learning.”</li><li data-list-item-id="e00bfc5ba2ee1aa811b03454c89b639a9">“Take some risks.”</li><li data-list-item-id="e08439ac42dae6f12ca3467ed9847e310">“If you spend most of your time in rooms where you think you are the smartest person, find different rooms.”</li><li data-list-item-id="e3f1db1e84896d557e2b77b1946fc1e52">“If you get to be in the room where it happens, hold the door open for others to join you.”</li></ul><p>Conrad noted that society’s biggest challenges—including inequality, climate change, democracy, and health—“will not be solved by algorithms or by playing it safe,” but through collaborative creativity and inclusive leadership.</p><p>“The phone may ring for one of you,” she concluded, referring to the legendary call from MacArthur. “But the work worth doing doesn’t wait for the call.”</p><hr><p>Find more photos from Commencement and Milestone Reunion Weekend on <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/oberlin/albums/">��سԹ�'s Flickr</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Derya Taspinar '25 Earns Fulbright to Spain</h1> <p>dfrezza — Wed, 20 May 2026 18:50:23 +0000</p> <span>Derya Taspinar '25 Earns Fulbright to Spain</span> <span><span>dfrezza</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-20T14:50:23-04:00" title="Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - 14:50">Wed, 05/20/2026 - 14:50</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Share with us what you will be doing next year in Spain.</strong><br>From September 2026 to June 2027, I’ll be in Galicia, Spain, as a <a href="/news/oberlin-celebrates-years-fulbright-winners" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="b8a20a4f-3b1b-4ee9-8d92-315bcfa3703a" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="��سԹ� Celebrates This Year’s Fulbright Winners">Fulbright </a>English Teaching Assistant (ETA). I’m really excited to be working in a plurilingual school, where I’ll collaborate with teachers and support students as they learn English. Beyond the classroom, I’ll also be involved in a couple of community projects, giving me the chance to connect more deeply with the local community and take part in cultural and language exchange outside the classroom.</p><p><strong>What are you looking forward to the most?</strong><br>I’m really excited about the whole experience! I can’t wait to live and work in a region of Spain I’ve never been to, and be immersed in its history and culture. I’m also really looking forward to meeting new people, learning from different perspectives, and growing from those experiences. At the same time, I’m excited to share what I know - helping others learn English and improving my Spanish along the way. Being able to learn and give back at the same time is what makes this feel especially meaningful to me.</p><p><strong>How did ��سԹ� shape or influence you to pursue the Fulbright?</strong><br>��سԹ� played a huge role in shaping my decision to pursue Fulbright. I always knew I loved traveling and connecting with people from different cultures. Through my psychology courses, and my own experience being bilingual in English and Turkish, I already understood how important language learning can be. It wasn’t until I took Language Pedagogy 301 with Professor <a href="/kim-faber" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="3bf3f95e-4137-447b-bead-d8b75fce5941" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Kim Faber">Kim Faber</a> that everything really came together.</p><p>Through that class, I joined <a href="/arts-and-sciences/resources-and-support/sites" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="f836a21e-8e31-4d3a-b4df-16641967c0fd" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Spanish in the Elementary Schools">SITES</a> and taught Spanish to kindergarten and first-grade students twice a week. Seeing how quickly they picked up the language was so rewarding. I also learned about the cognitive benefits of language learning at a young age, such as improved executive functioning and greater empathy for people from different backgrounds. While I had done some English tutoring in Spain before, it was through SITES that I learned concrete teaching strategies that motivated students while staying in the target language. That experience really solidified my interest in language education and cross-cultural exchange, and it’s what ultimately inspired me to apply for Fulbright.</p><p><strong>How does pursuing the Fulbright align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong><br>Being a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant is an incredible and meaningful opportunity for me right now. This experience will allow me to work closely with youth in multicultural and multilingual settings while developing skills that are essential to my future work in psychology. Teaching in an immersive environment will strengthen my communication, cultural awareness, adaptability, and ability to build trust and engagement across differences—skills that are central to working with diverse populations. After my time in Spain, I plan to pursue a master’s degree in developmental psychology, and the Fulbright experience provides an important bridge between my academic training and the kind of culturally responsive clinical work I hope to pursue.</p><p><strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received from your ��سԹ� faculty mentor?</strong><br>The piece of advice that has stuck with me the most was from Professor <a href="/cindy-frantz" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="da803d43-c805-4106-86e2-49ffcc49ae53" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Cynthia (Cindy) Frantz">Cindy Frantz</a>, chair of the psychology department. While being one of her research assistants during my senior year, she always made me feel more at ease about life after ��سԹ�. I often felt like my peers all knew what career path they wanted to take right after college, and I felt insecure about not being as certain. Professor Frantz told me about how her life post-undergrad involved many jobs that might not have aligned with her current career, but were all still helpful in getting her to where she is today. She assured me that there was no rush to “figure everything out” now, but to get different experiences, compare and contrast, and to learn more about myself and my interests along the way.</p><hr><p><em>If you’re a rising or graduating senior interested in Fulbright, connect with </em><a href="/node/4526"><em>Fellowships & Awards</em></a><em> to learn more about pursuing research or an arts project, obtaining a graduate degree, or teaching English in a foreign country of your choice following graduation.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The psychology major will be teaching English in Galicia.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-05-20T12:00:00Z">Wed, 05/20/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>As a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="382e130d-10dd-4b3d-9e0b-894ba3b1fe62" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Psychology">psychology</a> major at ��سԹ�, Derya Taspinar '25 <a href="/study-away" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="9163cd25-a90f-4576-aac0-a0d8d3818195" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Study Away">studied away</a> in Seville, Spain. Now as a Fulbright fellow, she'll return to Spain to teach English for ten months.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3831">Fulbright</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" hreflang="und">Psychology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Tenor Limmie Pulliam ’98, Who Sang on Stages Worldwide, Dies at 50</h1> <p>eburnett — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:27:23 +0000</p> <span>Tenor Limmie Pulliam ’98, Who Sang on Stages Worldwide, Dies at 50</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-20T12:27:23-04:00" title="Wednesday, May 20, 2026 - 12:27">Wed, 05/20/2026 - 12:27</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Dramatic tenor Limmie Pulliam, a 1998 graduate of ��سԹ� Conservatory who gave life to a host of leading opera roles and as a classical soloist on prominent stages across America and around the globe—and whose unlikely rise to fame after years away from music buoyed the dreams of performers everywhere—has died. He was 50.</p><p>Last week, Pulliam had been the tenor soloist in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8.</p><p>Raised in Kennett, Missouri, Pulliam, the son of a preacher, grew up singing in his church choir before his passion for classical music took shape. At ��سԹ�, he was a student of the legendary voice professor Richard Miller, who played a vital role in developing Pulliam’s remarkably powerful sound.</p><p>Soon after graduating, however, Pulliam found himself disillusioned over concerns related to his weight and the audition rejections and body shaming he was subjected to as a result of it. For 12 years, he pursued work as a debt collector and security guard—even operating his own security business. For most of that time, he seldom even thought of music, let alone sang.</p><p>Pulliam’s rediscovery of his own voice came in the unlikeliest of ways: While working as an organizer for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign in Missouri, he was invited to sing the National Anthem when the scheduled singer backed out.</p><p>The performance, and several others that followed, signaled to Pulliam that his voice had matured and grown in size in the years since his ��سԹ� training. It reignited his interest in exploring where he might go with it. His formal return to the stage happened at age 36, with a performance in the National Opera Association’s vocal competition. </p><p>In November 2024, <a href="/news-and-events/running-to-the-noise-podcast/running-noise-episode-14">Pulliam discussed his career trajectory</a> with ��سԹ� President Carmen Twillie Ambar on the <em>Running to the Noise</em> podcast. In it, he revealed how he revisited old videotapes of his sessions with Professor Miller.</p><p>"It was almost like riding a bicycle," he recalled. "As I began to work with the tapes, the coordination began to come back." </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Gifted singer became a regular presence on the ��سԹ� campus where he honed his craft.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-05-20T12:00:00Z">Wed, 05/20/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2412">Obituaries</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Limmie Pulliam, in an October 2022 preview performance of "The Ordering of Moses" with the ��سԹ� Orchestra and ��سԹ� choirs in Finney Chapel. The following month, the musicians presented the work at Carnegie Hall.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yevhen Gulenko</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div class="body-centered-layout"> <div class="side-caption pull captioned-image" data-caption-position="right"> <div id="obj-51027" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-figure paragraph--view-mode--default"> <figure> <figcaption> <div class="figure__caption"><p>Limmie Pulliam performing the title role in <em>The Ordering of Moses</em> with the ��سԹ� Orchestra and ��سԹ� choirs at Carnegie Hall in January 2023.</p></div> <div class="figure__credit"><p>Photo credit: Fadi Kheir</p></div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-51029" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>As Pulliam’s career resurgence took shape, so did his involvement with ��سԹ�, where he delighted in working with students on projects and in rehearsals.</p><p>His on-campus collaborations included singing the title role in<em> The Ordering of Moses</em>, an oratorio penned by 1908 ��سԹ� alum R. Nathaniel Dett. The work, performed by the ��سԹ� Orchestra and ��سԹ� choirs in January 2023, marked Pulliam’s Carnegie Hall debut.</p><p>The previous month, he had made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Radamès in Verdi’s <em>Aida</em>. He was the first Black singer in the history of the Met to perform the role.</p><p>Also in 2023, Pulliam debuted with the Cleveland Orchestra in the title role of a semi-staged production of Verdi’s <em>Otello</em>.</p><p>“He has an amazing voice,” Cleveland Orchestra Music Director Franz Welser-Möst said in an interview with cleveland.com. “I’ve not heard a better Otello in a very long time. He really is quite something."</p><p>Within days of Pulliam’s Carnegie Hall premiere, he was <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/23/arts/music/limmie-pulliam-opera-body-shaming.html">featured in a <em>New York Times</em> story</a> with the headline “He Quit Singing Because of Body Shaming. Now He’s Making a Comeback.” </p><p>Former First Lady Michelle Obama called out Pulliam on Facebook in February 2023, recalling his initial performance on her husband’s campaign and his spate of debut performances. “Limmie, I’m so proud of you,” she wrote. “Your story is incredible and I hope you know how much you are inspiring people to never give up on their dreams.”</p><p>In 2024, Pulliam was one of several ��سԹ� contemporaries who reunited for a collaborative concert production of <a href="/news/coming-full-circle"><em>Omar</em></a>, the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera by Rhiannon Giddens ’01 and Michael Abels. He sang the title role alongside his longtime friends and collaborators Giddens, bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch ’98, and baritone Michael Preacely ’01. Another prominent ��سԹ� alum, John Kennedy ’82, conducted the performance. Pulliam and Giddens <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/12/07/nx-s1-5214629/former-oberlin-students-return-to-the-finney-chapel-for-a-performance-of-omar" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.npr.org/2024/12/07/nx-s1-5214629/former-oberlin-students-return-to-the-finney-chapel-for-a-performance-of-omar&source=gmail&ust=1779387380018000&usg=AOvVaw1eYJvhZRUrjDMa_V07hkWj">spoke with NPR</a> about the experience of returning to campus to perform the opera.</p> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div class="body-centered-layout"> <div class="side-caption pull captioned-image" data-caption-position="left"> <div id="obj-51030" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-figure paragraph--view-mode--default"> <figure> <figcaption> <div class="figure__caption"><p>Pulliam performing the title role in Rhiannon Giddens' <em>Omar</em> in Finney Chapel in December 2024.</p></div> <div class="figure__credit"><p>Photo credit: Mike Crupi</p></div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-51032" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>Pulliam derived great joy from his work with ��سԹ� students, and he offered them a word of support in his podcast conversation with Ambar.</p><p>“Don’t be afraid to face your fears, to step out of your comfort zone, to be persistent in your work, to be consistent in your work, and don’t let a <em>no</em> deter you from continuing to push forward,” he said.</p><p>“It’s up to us to take control of our own destinies and to define ourselves, as opposed to allowing other people to define us.”</p><p>In October 2025, ��سԹ� students attended Pulliam’s performance as soloist in Mahler's <em>Song of the Earth</em> with the Cleveland Orchestra, after which the orchestra hosted a reception for Pulliam and his ��سԹ� guests. In February of this year, a busload of ��سԹ� students experienced Pulliam’s performance in <em>Turandot</em> at Detroit Music Hall.</p><p>Most recently, Pulliam returned to campus to honor the late Daune Mahy, a longtime voice professor whom the conservatory celebrated with a memorial concert in early March. Pulliam sang Richard Strauss’ <em>Zueignung</em> (<em>von Gilm</em>).</p><p>“Limmie was an extraordinary, powerful artist,” says Dean of the Conservatory William Quillen. “Even more, he was a deeply good, kind-hearted, funny, brilliant, and generous colleague and friend who transformed the lives of everyone he met. His performances with our students were life-changing for all involved. On behalf of everyone at ��سԹ�, we send deepest condolences to Limmie's family, friends, classmates, and loved ones. He was a remarkable artist, and we will miss him greatly.”</p><p>In his podcast conversation, Pulliam’s reaction to achieving notoriety later in life offered a fitting example of that big-hearted generosity. “I hope [my story] inspired others to just really know not to ever give up on their dreams,” he said.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Joel Tang '24 Wins Fulbright Fellowship to South Korea</h1> <p>dfrezza — Tue, 19 May 2026 13:26:18 +0000</p> <span>Joel Tang '24 Wins Fulbright Fellowship to South Korea</span> <span><span>dfrezza</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-19T09:26:18-04:00" title="Tuesday, May 19, 2026 - 09:26">Tue, 05/19/2026 - 09:26</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>What are you looking forward to the most?</strong></p><p>Interacting with the soul of the nation, the communities that make up what Korea truly is outside of what we see through their media internationally. </p><p><strong>How did ��سԹ� shape or influence you to pursue the Fulbright?</strong></p><p>As an East Asian Studies minor, I’ve always been interested in interacting with Asia post-graduation. Also, ��سԹ�’s stellar <a href="/study-away" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="9163cd25-a90f-4576-aac0-a0d8d3818195" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Study Away">Study Away office</a> gave me the resources to learn about <a href="/news/oberlin-celebrates-years-fulbright-winners" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="b8a20a4f-3b1b-4ee9-8d92-315bcfa3703a" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="��سԹ� Celebrates This Year’s Fulbright Winners">Fulbright</a>!</p><p><strong>How does pursuing the Fulbright align with your post-college life and career goals? </strong></p><p>My goal is to become an internationally recognized singer-songwriter, and that takes cultural sensitivity and language fluency. I am pursuing this fellowship to aid in my goal of becoming a polyglot, which will help me connect to the Korean audience in ways that English may not. </p><hr><p><em>To learn how ��سԹ� can help you apply for opportunities, like the Fulbright Fellowship, visit </em><a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="068ff5e8-2a7e-4726-91b0-7d9995d4c79e" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Center for Engaged Liberal Arts"><em>CELA</em></a><em>.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The young alum from Houston, Texas, will teach English in rural communities.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-05-19T12:00:00Z">Tue, 05/19/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Joel Tang '24, who majored in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/musical-studies" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a6dd17c3-7a04-410a-aded-9ced1afd2b4b" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Musical Studies">musical studies</a> and minored in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="96d60626-0b66-4943-8cc7-5a8834f0c0c0" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="East Asian Studies">East Asian studies</a> at ��سԹ�, received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) to South Korea. He plans to teach English in rural communities and hopes to organize a poetry/songwriting club at his host school. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3831">Fulbright</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/musical-studies" hreflang="und">Musical Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Serafina Yan</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Ariana Ofori '26 Earns a Fulbright to Switzerland</h1> <p>dfrezza — Fri, 15 May 2026 18:01:21 +0000</p> <span>Ariana Ofori '26 Earns a Fulbright to Switzerland</span> <span><span>dfrezza</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-15T14:01:21-04:00" title="Friday, May 15, 2026 - 14:01">Fri, 05/15/2026 - 14:01</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>What are you looking forward to the most?</strong></p><p>I am especially excited to share my passion for teaching amongst my students, encouraging curiosity and fostering a space for lifelong learning.</p><p><strong>How did ��سԹ� shape or influence you to pursue the Fulbright?</strong></p><p>My time at ��سԹ� provided me with a variety of teaching opportunities. As both a <a href="/bcsl/programs/ninde-scholars" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="55150ae5-835f-43c3-920b-91388ef32b01" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Ninde Scholars Program">Ninde Scholars Program</a> tutor and a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/resources-and-support/pal">Peer Advising Leader</a> (PAL), these areas deepened my interest in becoming a teacher and helped me make a meaningful impact in both neurotypical and neurodivergent communities. Taking classes in the psychology department also fostered a strong passion for understanding and supporting developing minds.</p><p><strong>How does pursuing the Fulbright align with your post-college life and career goals? </strong></p><p>Once I complete my Fulbright, I plan to pursue a master’s degree and eventually a PhD in child development and education, with a focus on multicultural experiences. I hope to become an educator who builds bridges between schools and communities while effectively addressing students’ diverse learning needs. I also intend to continue traveling and engaging with different parts of the world — aspirations that Fulbright is helping bring to life.</p><p><strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received from your ��سԹ� faculty mentors?</strong></p><p>My mentor, Eric and Jane Nord Associate Professor of Creative Writing <a href="/chanda-feldman">Chanda Feldman</a>, always encouraged me to free write, and trust that the rest will follow. Another mentor, psychology professor <a href="/nancy-darling">Nancy Darling</a>, reminded me while new opportunities may feel challenging, it is important to keep pushing forward. Before I start this opportunity, I plan to continue writing and persevering. These will help me with this subsequent exciting chapter. Regardless of where you might be in life, never forget to cheer yourself on! It does wonders!</p><hr><p><em>Fulbright alumni work to make a positive impact on their communities, sectors, and the world. Connect with </em><a href="/fellowships"><em>Fellowships and Awards</em></a><em> to learn more about how ��سԹ� helps students earn these fellowships.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The psychology and creative writing double major will head to Europe in September.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-05-18T12:00:00Z">Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Ariana Ofori '26 has earned a <a href="/news/oberlin-celebrates-years-fulbright-winners">Fulbright fellowship</a> to serve as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Switzerland for ten months. "During this program, I will teach English to students who, for the most part, will have already completed an apprenticeship," says the <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology">psychology</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/creative-writing">creative writing</a> double major. "My primary goal will be to help them build confidence in their English grammar and speaking skills." </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" hreflang="und">Psychology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/creative-writing" hreflang="und">Creative Writing</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Fulbright Fellow Amelia Friess '26 to Teach in Czech Republic</h1> <p>dfrezza — Mon, 18 May 2026 15:14:18 +0000</p> <span>Fulbright Fellow Amelia Friess '26 to Teach in Czech Republic</span> <span><span>dfrezza</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-18T11:14:18-04:00" title="Monday, May 18, 2026 - 11:14">Mon, 05/18/2026 - 11:14</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>What are you looking forward to the most?</strong><br>One reason I chose to apply for a <a href="https://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/types-of-awards/english-teaching-assistant-awards">Fulbright</a> in the Czech Republic is because of the access to classical music, particularly opera. I am looking forward to meeting musicians in my community, joining a choir, attending performances, and continuing my personal vocal pursuits. It will be wonderful to be immersed in a place that has such a rich history of classical music. I hope to eventually organize a recital with local musicians involving both English and Czech music!</p><p><strong>How did ��سԹ� shape or influence you to pursue the Fulbright?</strong></p><p>��سԹ�’s exploratory curriculum and supportive professors encouraged me to pursue my aspirations with greater ambition. While I had always hoped to study abroad, I was unsure how to make that goal a reality. Through conversations with voice faculty and fellow students, I learned about the wide range of musical opportunities available in Europe. </p><p>With the guidance of my professors and support from ��سԹ�’s <a href="/career/set/internship-plus" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="9ca131a0-e476-42fe-acdc-1c7cd99a0e19" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Internship+ Program">Internship+</a> program, I participated in an opera program in Saluzzo, Italy, this past summer. This transformative experience opened my eyes to the musical possibilities in Europe and strengthened my confidence in my ability to pursue them. </p><p>In addition, ��سԹ� provided numerous teaching experiences, such as <a href="https://www.oberlinexco.org/">ExCos</a>, peer tutoring and OWLing, that not only strengthened my Fulbright application but also helped me discover my passion for teaching. ��سԹ� equipped me with the tools and encouragement to pursue a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.</p><p><strong>How does pursuing the Fulbright align with your post-college life and career goals? </strong></p><p>Pursuing a Fulbright ETA aligns with my goals of becoming both a performer and arts educator. Through working with students in the Czech Republic, I'll gain experience planning lessons, explaining concepts, and teaching students who have different backgrounds from my own—all essential elements for a career as a music teacher. Because vocal music is often performed in foreign languages, serving as an ETA will better equip me to guide students in understanding and singing in other languages. </p><p>This will also allow me to experience music in the setting and language in which it was written, deepening my artistic understanding. I also look forward to connecting with professional musicians who can provide advice for my future career. I hope that my time in the Czech Republic will help me become a teacher that shares new musical traditions and encourages students to explore all musical styles. </p><p><strong>What’s the best advice you’ve received from your ��سԹ� faculty mentors?</strong></p><p>As I was working on my short answers and personal statement, I received feedback from family, friends and professors. My former voice professor, Kendra Colton, generously took the time to work through each draft with me. She consistently encouraged me to be honest, clear, and concise, and to seek out new adventures.</p><p>I also worked personally with <a href="/danielle-abdon" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a0b9a24f-d7db-4538-8b15-16ac871b5857" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Danielle Abdon">Danielle Abdon</a>, the director of fellowships and awards. Her main piece of advice was to “be more specific.” I enjoyed spending every Friday eating pizza and continuing to write draft after draft. I always left meetings with her feeling more capable and prepared to submit my application.</p><p>I do not believe I would have earned this Fulbright without their kind support and dedication. </p><hr><p><em>If you’re a rising or graduating senior interested in Fulbright, connect with </em><a href="/node/4526"><em>Fellowships & Awards</em></a><em> to learn more about pursuing research or an arts project, obtaining a graduate degree, or teaching English in a foreign country of your choice following graduation.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The biology and voice major will use the award to explore education and her passion for musical performance.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-05-18T12:00:00Z">Mon, 05/18/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p> <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2e8ca96d-493a-456b-b9b1-73583c30df0f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Biology">Biology</a> and <a href="/voice" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="e5071540-3566-4d0f-a235-2b9e21d42f96" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Voice">voice </a>major Amelia Friess '26 has received a <a href="/news/oberlin-celebrates-years-fulbright-winners">Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship (ETA)</a> to the Czech Republic, where she will teach English at a secondary school. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3831">Fulbright</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Nathaniel Liu</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> </main></body></html>