Article by Brendan Flanagan & Logan Riley | Owl Staff
Before working at HCC, Mason was a teacher at Harford County Public Schools for 27 years.
Mentor, leader, advisor and instructor at Harford Community College for 9 years, Jim Mason had a positive impact on everyone he encountered. Before working at HCC, Mason was a teacher at Harford County Public Schools for 27 years, and won Harford County teacher of the year in 1978. He passed away last year on August 8, 2022.
“I was heartbroken to learn of Jim Mason’s passing on my first day back on campus for the 2022-2023 academic year,” states Claudia Brown, Journalism Professor and advisor of the student publication Owl Media. “Not only had Jim been my mentor at HCC, but he was my journalism teacher at NHHS and my number one teaching inspiration. He was the epitome of integrity and kindness, and his teachings continue to guide me to this day.”
Mason was an advisor for the Harford Owl, which then turned into Owl Magazine. Recently, it was rebranded to Owl Media, focusing on digital content. Owl Media prides itself on creating compelling student-driven content. Over the years, Owl Media has won 30 awards for their articles, videos, photography and design.
Since Jim Mason meant so much to the community, Owl Media decided to honor him by creating a scholarship in his name. The scholarship is given to a member of the Owl Media staff.
“Each spring and fall, a $500 scholarship will be awarded to a recipient who is a dedicated member of Owl Media’s staff,” states Claudia Brown.
“I was a working student when I was involved with the Owl… and it would mean the world to be able to help a student who loves this program as much as I do.”
Owl Media is very connected to their alumni even after they graduate. That includes roles on the staff, guest speaking, or through donations. Most alumni are successful and willing to help Owl Media in any way they can.
“There are so many things that compel me to donate to this scholarship,” says Steph Perkins, founder of the Owl Media Alumni Board. “I was a working student when I was involved with the Owl. I’m finally at a point in my life where I can donate comfortably, and it would mean the world to be able to help a student who loves this program as much as I do.”
There are two ways that anyone can contribute to the Scholarship. You can send a check to the Harford Community College foundation on 401 Thomas Run Road in Bel Air, MD. The second way you can donate is online on the HCC website Foundation Giving.
Denise Drieger, scholarship handler at Harford Community College, mentions: “I would encourage Owl Media staff who would like to be considered for the James Mason Memorial Scholarship make sure that they mention in the essay that they are on staff for Owl Media.”
Steph Perkins encourages anyone who has ever enjoyed any of Owl Media’s magazines or videos to consider donating once the scholarship is available.
Readers can donate using this link: https://harford.awardspring.com/Home/Scholarships