{"id":5360,"date":"2026-08-21T17:02:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T21:02:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/owltopia\/?p=5360"},"modified":"2026-08-21T17:07:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T21:07:39","slug":"finding-community-through-templar-yearbook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.temple.edu\/owltopia\/2026\/08\/21\/finding-community-through-templar-yearbook\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Community Through Templar Yearbook"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
When I first came to Temple from Bangladesh in August 2024, leaving behind everything I had called home for the past 18 years, I never imagined that joining Templar Yearbook during my very first week on campus would become such a significant part of my college journey. Temple is best described as a place of endless opportunities. As a starry-eyed first-year student, I was determined to make the most of those opportunities and find my calling on a campus that felt both exciting and overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can still recall the nerves I felt walking into Klein’s New Student Orientation, not knowing a single person in the grandeur of Mitten Hall, yet trying to find the confidence to navigate this entirely new environment. My love for writing naturally drew me toward the student media tables, where I stumbled upon Templar Yearbook. At the time, I never anticipated where that decision would lead. By the end of my first year, my former Editor-in-Chief, Gianna Voges, encouraged me to apply for the position. Though I knew my chances were slim as a freshman, I submitted my application anyway. After sweating through every minute of a thirty-minute interview, I was shocked to receive an email informing me that I had been selected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am incredibly grateful to Templar for giving me the opportunity to work alongside such a talented team and learn so much from each of them.<\/p>– Suhana Khan<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Serving as the editor-in-chief of Templar Yearbook this past year has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding roles I have ever taken on. Over these nine months, I have led a team of talented student journalists, photographers, designers and editors while balancing classes, various other commitments, and the responsibility of preserving the legacy of a publication in its 102nd year.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTemple’s 2026 Yearbook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Getting to hold the book in my hands after countless late nights, endless edits, and months of hard work was one of the most cathartic moments of my life. This year\u2019s book, Playback, is both a reflection and a bridge forward. Like a yearbook itself, the theme honors the past while looking toward the future, capturing the memories, achievements and experiences that defined a year at Temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Our Diverse Community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Temple has one of the most diverse and vibrant communities I have ever encountered. With students representing an array of countries, cultures, languages and backgrounds, there are incredible stories woven into every crevice of our campus. Putting this book together has truly shown me the resilience, passion, and determination of our students. Many of the stories we covered included not only students but also leaders, creators, athletes, researchers, artists and advocates. From leading student organizations and founding new ones to bringing Temple national recognition through competitions, grants, research, athletics and study abroad experiences, these students have made lasting impacts that future generations of Owls will look<\/p>\n\n\n\n
back on for years to come. I find myself incredibly fortunate to have played a role in highlighting these stories and the remarkable individuals behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like Temple\u2019s campus itself, our Global Owls are a crucial part of what makes the yearbook vibrant and unique. With more than 2,000 international students representing over 120 countries, our international community brings perspectives, experiences and stories that enrich our campus significantly. While college is a new environment for everyone, international students face the additional challenge of adapting to an entirely new country, culture and routine. They are simultaneously navigating friendships, classes, cultural differences and homesickness. Despite the challenges they encounter, they continue to excel both inside and outside the classroom, and Templar is committed to capturing and celebrating their achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year, we had the opportunity to tell many of these stories. We highlighted the experiences of the Temple Women’s Field Hockey team, whose roster featured eight international student-athletes from all over the world. We shared the story of Moulishka Sawant, a student from India, who has immersed herself in campus life through academics and content creation. We also featured Konstantin Kluge, a student from Germany whose passion for rowing brought him to Temple and allowed him to continue the sport he loves. Templar has not only allowed me to highlight the accomplishments of my international peers but also given me the opportunity to work with such dynamic individuals. I have had the pleasure of working with Raphael Ankrah, a student from Italy, who served as art director of the publication this year. His creativity and dedication was instrumental in bringing Playback to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning About Myself<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Leading Templar has taught me so much about myself. I have learned how to be more creative, collaborate with people who have different working styles, communicate effectively, perform under pressure and bring a vision to life. There have been several challenges along the way, moments where I doubted myself, where things did not go according to plan and where the responsibility felt overwhelming. However, those challenges have ultimately made me a stronger person and leader as well as deepened my passion for storytelling and uplifting the voices of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking back, I barely recognize the nervous first-year student who wondered if she would ever find her place on this campus. Today, as a rising junior preparing to begin my third year at Temple, I realize just how much I have grown. I am incredibly grateful to Templar for giving me the opportunity to work alongside such a talented team and learn so much from each of them. Creating this book was truly a collective effort, and through this experience, I have gained lifelong friendships that I will always cherish. As I head into the upcoming year, I am excited to continue serving as editor-in-chief of Templar while also taking on new leadership roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What started as a simple decision to stop by a student media table during my first week at Temple has now given me a community, a purpose and a place to call home. The lessons I have learned through this role, about leadership, collaboration, resilience and community, are ones I will carry with me into every future opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, my advice to all international Owls would be to take that leap and get involved. It can be intimidating to put yourself out there in a new environment, but like me, you may find yourself discovering opportunities and passions you never expected<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Written by Suhana Khan<\/em> Photos courtesy of Suhana Khan<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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