Alumni Spotlight: Noah Coburn '97

In our Alumni Spotlight series, hear about Wooster alumni - their lives and careers, meaningful experiences, and how Wooster impacted their lives.

Noah Coburn '97
Hometown: Danbury, CT
Current Town: Olympia, WA

Please tell us about what you are currently doing - professionally, and/or personally - that you’d like to share:

I’m a political anthropologist and specialize in Central and South Asia. Originally that meant I lived in a small village with a group of potters and wrote about them, but then I went on to do some other projects in Afghanistan and elsewhere on the effects of the U.S. war there. For twelve years I was a faculty member and taught at Bennington College in southern Vermont, but have moved into more administrative work. I’ve recently joined Evergreen State College as their Provost.

How did Wooster impact who you are now?

Throughout my career I have found myself drawn to colleges that share Wooster’s commitment to educating the whole student, places where there is a focus on creating a community of learners. Both Bennington and Evergreen were shaped by John Dewey and other progressive educators (as was Wooster in its founding), who believed that education was about the classroom, but it was also about jobs on campus, athletics and being a part of a community. Now as an administrator I work to support educational institutions that don’t just teach a set curriculum, but think interdisciplinarily and prepare students for all kinds of challenges that they will face in the future.

What is your favorite Wooster memory?

I had such terrific teachers at Wooster and their lessons have stayed with me in my day to day life, and have impacted how I teach myself. Those relationships with Korb and Josette Eynon, Gary Taylor, Todd Brown, Janet Jochem, Bill Street, Alvin Hamilton and others were so important to my learning. Outside of the classroom, however, I always loved sitting in the Chapel. Whether it was during all school assembly or Chapel, it provided a nice moment to reflect and recenter before going back in the buzz of the classroom.

What was your SIS, and did it impact your future?

For SIS I hiked the New England section of the Appalachian Trail. I’m still pretty amazed Wooster let me do that - I was basically in the woods, alone for six weeks. It was, however, an incredible opportunity to just be alone in the woods and think about what I had learned in high school, while preparing me to be more independent in college.

Which word best describes you: Gentle, Generous, Truthful, Kind or Brave?

I think I’ve always thought of these as goals that you’re supposed to balance more than anything else. Sometimes it’s hard to be both kind and brave, but I think the prayer reminds us we’re supposed to be more than one thing in each moment.

What advice would you give to current Wooster students?

Follow the things that inspire you. There are thousands of colleges and universities out there. Don’t rely on the rankings. Find a place that speaks to you and will help you continue to transform yourself into the person that you want to be. It’s much easier to be successful, not to mention be fulfilled, if you are doing something that you love.

Noah Coburn ‘97 is the great-grandson of Rev. Aaron Coburn, founder of Wooster School. Noah and his wife have 2 children. In 2023 Noah joined Wooster’s Board of Trustees.