Susan Wefald

Susan Wefald spent her entire career working for social change, and she appreciates the foundation that Oberlin provided. "At Oberlin, students learn how to think critically, and many find inspiration to change the world for the better." Today she is a director at Community Change, which aims to build the power of people directly impacted by structural inequities through grassroots organizing.

After spending most of her adult life in New York City, Susan now lives with her husband on Peaks Island off the coast of Maine, just a few doors down from a fellow alumnus who has been a friend for decades.

Reflecting on her time on campus, she recalls, "Oberlin gave me the opportunity to connect with other Asian Americans, which I hadn't been able to do while growing up in the 50's and 60's in suburban Maryland." On campus, she became a leader of the Asian American Alliance and was involved in efforts aimed at convincing Oberlin tp divest from South Africa.

Susan's appreciation for her alma mater led her to leave funds to the college through her estate. "When I was doing my will recently, I knew I wanted to leave money to Oberlin. I haven't agreed with every decision the college has made, but it is important to me that the institution continues to be there for future generations."