The Nationally Award-Winning Student Publication of Harford Community College

OUR STORY

Owl Media is the exciting new iteration of Harford Community College’s (HCC) ever-evolving student publication. With a long history of recruiting eager reporters, photographers and designers to cover a wide range of stories, we are proud to bring our unique voice squarely into the digital field.

In its earlier stages our publication was The Harford Owl, a monthly newspaper which included faculty and staff submissions. When Professor Claudia Brown took over as Chief Advisor in 2010, The Harford Owl became a student-driven publication. The interests, talents, and ideas of our very diverse student staff members became the driving force to the growth and development of the Owl.

Over the next few years, our publication slowly evolved from a traditional newspaper into a features-style, glossy magazine, aptly renamed Owl Magazine. Although the magazine garnered many national awards during this time, we faced a challenge which is typical at two-year institutions: quick turnover rates in student staff members.  

To address this issue, and also give more opportunities to recently graduated students, an Alumni Advisory Board was established. Many Owl alum have gone on to successfully pursue careers in journalism, photography, design and social media content creation. As part of the advisory board, these alums have been able to bring their unique talents and professional experiences to new staff members in a collaborative and supportive environment.

These alumni advisors have been integral to the growth and expansion of Owl Media in more ways than one. They have provided not only mentoring and inspiration, but also instruction and input surrounding equipment acquisition and handling. Additionally, when we first began there was no Journalism program for students to pursue. With the help and input from our alumni advisors, however, we now have a cutting-edge and innovative Journalism program which partners with Owl Media.

In the past few years, we have extended our reach further through a vibrant social media presence and by creating multiple award-winning videos covering a range of important and timely topics.  

To stay with the times, we have decided to switch from a yearly magazine to a completely online-based multimedia publication platform: Owl Media. 

Although we are currently in the early stages of this exciting new venture, we believe that through hard work, journalistic integrity, and a collaborative spirit, we can make a positive impact on the world.

Conferences/Publications:

  • “From Writing for the College Newspaper to Multi-Media Journalism,” College Media Review (2017)
  • The Alumni Advantage: Establishing Lasting Connections with Your College Media Staff, College Media Association Conference; New York City (2017) 
  • In the Eye of the Camera-Holder: The Multimedia Journalist, College Media Association Conference; New York City (2016)
  • Occupy Wall Street: Reflections on a 21st Century Protest, Maryland Communication Association Conference; Baltimore (2016)
  • Beyond Campus: How to Cover National News, College Media Association Conference; New York City (2013)
  • From Newsprint to Glossy: How to Make the Big Switch, College Media Association Conference; New York City (2012)

OUR AWARDS 

Pinnacle Awards Sponsored by the CMA:

  • First Place for Best Two-Year TC Station of the Year: “Skoolie’s in Session,” “Beach Trip on a Budget,” and “Defeat the Mandates: An American Homecoming.” (2021-2022 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Second Place for Best Viral Video: “Skoolie’s in Session.” (2021-2022 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Third Place for Best Video Entertainment Program: “Beach Trip On a Budget.” (2021-2022 Pinnacle Awards)
  • First Place for Best Two-Year TV Station of the Year: “Swarm the Capitol,” “Harford Pride,” and “Owlfest.” (2019-2020 Pinnacle Awards)
  • First Place for Best Two-Year College Media Outlet: “Swarm the Capitol,” “Owlfest,” and “Harford Pride.” (2019-2020 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Second Place for Best Viral Video: “Trumpinions.” (2019-2020 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Third Place for Best Entertainment Spread: “The Truth About Tarot.” (2019-2020 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Honorable Mention for Two-Year Feature Magazine of the Year: The “Destiny” issue. (2019-2020 Pinnacle Awards)
  • First Place, Best Viral Video: Short film, “D.C. on a Budget.” (2017-2018 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Second Place, Best Television Newscast (2017-2018 Pinnacle Awards)Second Place, Best TV Special Event Coverage: “March for Our Lives.” (2017-2018 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Second Place, Best Two-Year TV Station of the Year: “Van Lives,” “D.C. on a Budget,” and “March for Our Lives.” (2017-2018 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Second Place for Two-Year Best College Media Outlet of the Year: All of Owl Magazine’s media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and YouTube). (2017-2018 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Second Place for Two-Year Feature Magazine of the Year: The “Freedom” issue. (2017-2018 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Third Place for Best Multimedia Package: “Freedom on the Road” and its bonus video, “Van Lives.” (2017-2018 Pinnacle Awards)
  • First Place for Best Two-Year TV Station of the Year: “Catharsis on the Mall,” “Sunshine Therapy,” and “Youth Climate Strike.” (2018-2019 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Honorable Mention for Two-Year Feature Magazine of the Year: “Feel-Good” issue. (2018-2019 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Second Place, Feature Magazine of the Year for a Two-Year School: Summer 2015 issue, “Back to Nature.” (2014-2015 Pinnacle Awards)
  • Third place, TV Station of the Year for a Two-Year School: “Eco Landscaping” video. (2014-2015 Pinnacle Awards)
  • First Place, Two-Year TV Station of the Year: Owl Magazine’s YouTube channel, “Waging War on the Pay Gap,” “Vegan for a Day,” and “Food Mood.” (2015-2016 Pinnacle Awards)

Apple Awards Sponsored by the CMA:

  • First Place in Best Magazine Spread: “Freedom on the Road” spread. (2018 David L. Apple Awards)
  • Best TV Newscast: coverage of President Trump’s inauguration. (2018 David L. Apple Awards)
  • Second Place for Best Print Advertisement: “Get Hands on with Owl Magazine” Ad. (2018 David L. Apple Awards)
  • Third Place in Best Magazine Cover: Fall/Winter 2016 issue. (2017 David L. Apple Awards Competition)

Film Festivals Sponsored by the CMA:

  • Third Place in Short Documentary: Baltimore Uprising Documentary (2016)
  • Third Place in Video News: “Maryland Fashion Exchange.” (2016)

Best of Show Competition Sponsored by the Associated Press:

  • Third Place for Broadcast News Story: “Swarm the Capitol.” (2020)

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