Article by Claudia Brown, Chief Advisor | Owl Staff
Jim Mason retired from Harford Community College in 2009.
Yesterday, I learned of the recent passing of Jim Mason, my former colleague at HCC and my predecessor as advisor to The Harford Owl.
Thirteen years ago this fall, Jim mentored me to take over his position as advisor to The Harford Owl — the newspaper that later evolved into Owl Magazine, HCC’s nationally award-winning student publication. After many years of service, Jim was planning to retire and move out of state.
This passing of the torch seemed especially fitting, given Jim had been my high school journalism teacher at North Harford High School many years prior.
He was well loved at North Harford, inspiring his students to a high standard while maintaining positivity and professionalism. He was down to earth with a great sense of humor and treated everyone with respect: an old-fashioned country gentleman.
I took his class in 12th grade and I loved it! It piqued my interest in journalism and laid the foundation for everything in my career to come.
The next year I began writing for the college newspaper at UMBC. The follow year I was promoted to my college’s News Editor, and it wasn’t long after that before I began freelancing for the Baltimore Sun and working as an Associate Producer for WBAL.
When I started teaching, it was Jim’s style I modeled the most.
I always imagined we’d get together one day and laugh about the rollercoaster ride that is college media and toast to the success of Owl Magazine.
“You did it, Claudia!” He would smile broadly. “I always had faith that you would.”
While that meeting never took place, I always felt his support.
I still do.
“A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence stops.” – Henry Adams
Jim Mason’s obituary: https://ellwoodcity.org/2022/08/10/james-l-mason-74/