Features

The Silo is Seeking Submissions

Owens’s Own Creative Arts Journal is Publishing Vol. V.

Rob Thomas, Advisor

January 13, 2026

The silo that used to stand on campus before it was removed for safety reasons now lives on in the publication, The Silo.

Owens Community College students — it’s time to share your creativity with the world.

The Humanities and the Creative Arts and Media Departments are proud to present…The SILO— Owens’s own creative arts journal, published online every spring semester. The SILO showcases original work from the Owens’s campus community, with works that include audio, animation, graphics, illustrations, painting, photography, sculpture, and writing.

And here’s what makes the process unique… after the submission deadline, students will work with an Owens professor to revise and polish their work for publication. It’s a real-world, creative publishing experience.

Previous volumes — from 2022 through 2025 — are available to view online at “OwensOutComm.com.” And now “The SILO” is preparing Volume 5.

Submissions for the 2025 — 2026 edition are due January 16, 2026 at this link.

All voices are welcome–people of all ages, cultures, abilities, identities, and backgrounds are encouraged to submit. Work must be original and not published elsewhere.

For submission guidelines–writing, audio, video, sculpture, and more–or to ask a question, email Professor Jen Hazel at jennifer_ [email protected].

About the Contributor

Rob Thomas, Faculty Advisor

Rob Thomas is an Owens Community College Fine and Performing Arts faculty member. He is the Broadcast Media and Technology assistant professor and advisor for the Owens OutComm Student Media Center. Before coming to instruct full time at Owens Community College, Rob served several years with the YMCA of Greater Toledo within their marketing and communications department, promoting the organization to staff, members, volunteers, community collaborators, media, and the community at large. Prior to his career with the Y, Rob spent 18 years in the broadcast industry as air talent and production director for Clear Channel (now known as iHeart Media) that included Toledo radio stations 92.5 Kiss FM, (WVKS), 101.5 The River (WRVF), FM 104 WIOT, 1230 AM-WCWA and 1370 AM-WSPD. Rob is a multimedia producer and content creator, utilizing his skills to help not-for-profit and for-profit businesses increase their awareness to the audience they serve. Clients Rob has worked with include Car Stereo One, The Erie Shores Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Jeffrey Mann Fine Jewelers, Stone Oak Business Condominiums, The Toledo Diocese Office of Black Catholic Ministry, the Sylvania Northview Wildcat Marching Band, and most recently OhioMeansJobs Lucas County. Rob earned a Bachelors degree in Radio-Television Production with emphasis on Broadcast Script Writing from Ohio University (Athens, Ohio). His hobbies and interests include improv, science fiction, radio plays, collecting sound effects, making short films, and hosting the Classic Rock Lunch, heard Thursdays from 11 am until 1 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am until 2 pm, on OutCast, OCCR – Owens Community College Radio. Rob also volunteers his time and talent to the community in various ways, including mentoring local elementary school students for their televised closed-circuit morning announcements, tutoring students and serving on committees for his church. Rob is the former voice of the Sylvania Northview High School Wildcats Marching Band and announced the music selections during pre-game and half-time performances. He also served on the Harbor, Inc. board of trustees.