The Capitol in Harrisburg is home to the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor, but on March 25, it also hosted a parliament—of Owls, that is. Thirty-seven Temple students participated in the university’s annual Owls on the Hill Day, organized by Temple’s Office of Government Affairs and Civic Engagement (OGACE).

“Owls on the Hill Day is an important opportunity for the members of the General Assembly to personally meet and hear from the students they are investing in with commonwealth dollars,” said George Kenney, Temple’s OGACE associate vice president and senior advisor. “It is these students’ telling their personal stories that really illustrates why Pennsylvania should continue its longtime investment in Temple University.”

Wearing red and white striped rugby-style shirts, the students traveled by bus from Main Campus to advocate for the continuation of Temple’s historic funding from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This vital funding, which is currently $158.2 million and is supplemented by the university, helps provide an in-state tuition discount of $15,000 for thousands of Temple’s Pennsylvania students.

During the morning, the students fanned out across the Capitol complex to visit legislative offices, meeting with members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and their staff to thank them for their past support, encourage continued funding for Temple and distribute a handout that describes how the commonwealth funding supports Temple’s Pennsylvania tuition discount.

“Owls on the Hill allows the legislators to see the students they are affecting with the money they are providing to Temple,” said Jovanny Bracero, a first-year political science major from Reading, Pennsylvania. “I think seeing us here, wearing these red and white striped shirts, shows them that the money they are providing is going somewhere very useful, but it also is an opportunity for us to thank the legislators for their support.”

First-year student Messina St. Hubert from Philadelphia, who is also majoring in political science, echoed Bracero’s comments about the day of advocacy.

“The senators and representatives appreciated us sitting in front of them, speaking to them one-on-one and thanking them for supporting Temple,” said St. Hubert.

Before and after lunch, the students were recognized by the Pennsylvania House and Senate and posed for a group photo on the floor of each chamber.

“I was proud to welcome the Temple University students to the Capitol for Owls on the Hill Day,” said State Senator and Temple Trustee Christine Tartaglione (D-2), who hosted the students in the Senate. “These young people were here to advocate for something fundamental: opportunity. They know that higher education isn’t just about degrees; it’s about building a stronger Pennsylvania. Their voices matter, and their futures depend on the choices we make here, so we must make the right ones.”

During lunch, the students had the opportunity to hear from nine members of the General Assembly who are Temple alumni: Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-17), LAW ’17, CPH ’17; Rep. Pat Gallagher (D-173), CLA ’99; Rep. Joe Hogan (R-142), LAW ’23; Rep. Chris Pielli (D-156), CLA ’89, LAW ’00; Rep. Paul Friel (D-26), FOX ’95; Rep. Kyle Donahue (D-113), CLA ’09; Rep. Ben Sanchez (D-153), LAW ’04; Rep. Sean Dougherty (D-172), LAW ’19; and Rep. Jim Prokopiak (D-140), LAW ’00. 

“Seeing Temple students at the Capitol for Owls on the Hill is something that I always look forward to year after year,” said Jordan Laslett, CLA ’19, ’21, special assistant to House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-70), who briefly spoke to the students in the Capitol’s Main Rotunda. “Not only do I get to see young students choosing to take the time to advocate for a university that they love, but I also get to see the reactions from my colleagues. It is so important to remember the impact that direct advocacy has on members of the General Assembly. You aren’t just handing out a fact sheet about your school; you are a literal walking example of what greatness looks like in Temple students.”

The students weren’t the only Owls in the Capitol, as they were joined by Temple mascot Hooter the Owl, who was continuously greeted by high fives, fist bumps and selfie requests. Stella, Temple’s live owl mascot, also made a two-hour appearance in the Capitol’s East Rotunda, where staff from Temple Harrisburg handed out Temple items and information. 

—Preston Moretz