Oberlin College's strength in science and mathematics is discussed by its president, along with the state of these fields in the United States and the contributions that liberal arts colleges can make. Of concern nationwide are declining enrollments in science and mathematics, low performance in these fields of U.S. students compared to other developed countries, and a projected future undersupply of math and science teachers. Oberlin College's strength in the sciences and mathematics is due in large part to the quantity and quality of student-faculty contact. Faculty members, rather than graduate students, teach undergraduates at the college, and Oberlin faculty also involve undergraduates in their research projects. The college emphasizes fundamentals and breadth, since only one basic introductory course per scientific discipline is offered. The recruitment of the gifted in science and mathematics is a priority at the college, which also has created over 33 new science and mathematics courses since 1983. Competitive salaries, grants, and paid research leaves are important to recruiting faculty, and well-equipped laboratories and an overall climate favorable to science and mathematics are also emphasized. (SW)