Spotlight on Lee Falk - The University Years: Difference between revisions

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Lee Falk was still known as Leon H. Epstein when he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (almost located at mid-way between St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois) until 1932, the year of his graduation with a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) with honors.
{{spotlight
|image= [[Image:UoI-Seal.jpg|200 px]]<br>
|Subject= Lee Falk
|}}


On campus, Lee had an active student life; especially within the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, a traditional student brotherhood.
==University of Illinois==
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
''(almost located at mid-way between St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois)''


The objective of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity (still currently in action with 90 chapters and colonies in the United States) is to develop, among its members, awareness and social responsibility as well as individual integrity. Founded in 1898, it was originally destined to the Jewish community before to be opened to a larger student brotherhood in 1954. At the time of the Lee Falk’s membership, the fraternity Chapter house was located at 907 South Fourth Street, Chicago.
The school year was divided into two terms of twenty weeks each<ref>"Local Faculty and Student Directory books", ''University of Illinois'' November 1929</ref>.  


From 1929 to 1932, linked with his Zeta Beta Tau membership, he also took part as a writer for the “Daily Illini” (student newspaper of the University of Illinois). He was also editor of the “Hillel Post”.
===Leon Harrison Epstein===
The Hillel Post was a bi-weekly newspaper, created in 1922 and published by the Hillel Foundation to inform Jewish students of its current activities. It was sent by mail.
Leon H. Epstein attended the University of Illinois fall term 1928. In the yearbook of 1932 he is presented as a student of Liberal Art and Sciences - English; and member of Zeta Beta Tau<ref group="footnotes">The objective of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity (still currently in action with 90 chapters and colonies in the United States) is to develop, among its members, awareness and social responsibility as well as individual integrity. Founded in 1898, it was originally destined to the Jewish community before to be opened to a larger student brotherhood in 1954. At the time of the Lee Falk’s membership, the fraternity Chapter house ''(Rho Chapter established in 1912)'' was located at 907 South Fourth Street, Chicago.</ref> <ref group="footnotes">Interesting in 1932 his brother, Leslie, was one of the freshmen in Zeta Beta Tau.</ref>, Pi Delta Phi<ref group="footnotes">Pi Delta Phi was founded at the University of Chicago in 1906. In 1932 there was eight active chapters including the Epsilon Chapter at the University of Illinois. The object of the Pi Delta Phi was: ''"To inmprove scolarship, and to promote an interest in the field of French Language and literature"''.</ref>, Kappa Phi Sigma<ref group="footnotes">Kappa Phi Sigma was founded at the University of Illinois in 1867. In 1932 there was ten active chapters including the Philomathean Chapter at the University of Illinois. The object of the Kappa Phi Sigma was: ''"To develope cogency of thought and personal power by public speech and contact of personalities, and to stimulate cultural activities."''</ref>, The Daily Illini ''(1, 2, 3)'' and Honors<ref group="footnotes">Honors were divided into two groups: superior and high. The superior group in the upper three classes was composed of the three per cent while the high scholarship students were those in the upper 10 per cent.</ref> Day ''(1, 2, 3)''.


[[Image:Hillelpage19310231front.jpg|200px]]
====Honors====
In 1929<ref>"857 students will be cited by university", ''The Daily Illini'' 16 May 1929, p 2</ref>, 1930<ref>"List students for program on honors day", ''The Daily Illini'' 15 May 1930, p 6</ref> and 1931<ref>"Scholars get honors today; unveil tablet", ''The Daily Illini'' 15 May 1931, p 6</ref> Leon H. Epstein recieved Honor the High Scholarship and graduated in 1932 with Degree of Bechelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Science with Honors in English<ref>"Meeting of the Board of Trusters of the University of Illinois", ''(Degrees Conferred 13 June 1932)'' p 614</ref>.


At the same period, it seems that Lee was also member of the Pi Delta Phi, other fraternity founded at the University of Chicago in 1906 and initially devoted to improve scholarship and to promote an interest in the field of French language and literature.
====The Hillel Foundation====
At the university Leon H Epstein soon became part of the Hillel Foundation<ref group="footnotes">At the University of Illinois in 1923 the first Hillel Foundation to serve the religious needs of Jewish college students was established. By 1940 Hillel had become a major American Jewish organization with foundations serving college students at campus across the country</ref> <ref>Sanua Marianne Rachel (2003), "Going Greek: Jewish College Fraternities in the United States, 1895-1945", ''Wayne State University Press Detroit'' (Michigan, Detroit) p 203</ref> and beame part of the Hiller Players. On April 6 1929 he was<ref>"Students will stage "Lady of Belmont" in Hillel Foundation", ''The Daily Illini'' 6 April 1929, p 6</ref> Gratiano in "The Lady of Belmont" St. John Ervine's humorous sequel to Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice".  


Mentions and traces of these activities and / or writings can be found in these newspapers, for instance:
He acted<ref>"Pereira announces cast for students film at foundation", ''The Daily Illini'' 30 April 1929, p 7</ref> as an open forum speaker ''(Max Yeastman)'' in "Hillel in Sham Pain", a student-produced movie presented Mothers Day<ref>"Students of Hillel Foundation to give movie in program", ''The Daily Illini'' 10 May 1929, p 11</ref> ''(May 12, 1929)''. The movie dealed with the building of a new foundation quarters. The last year he was with the Hiller Players he acted<ref>"Coach announced members of cast for Hillel drama", ''The Daily Illini'' 20 February 1930, p 8</ref> as a poet<ref>"Foundation players will present first play of semester", ''The Daily Illini'' 5 March 1930, p 6</ref> in the play "Adam" by Ludwig Lewisohn on March 5, and on April 15 and 16<ref>"Koolish 32 heads Hillel play cast", ''The Daily Illini'' 7 March 1930, p 1</ref> as Bezano<ref>"Foundation players to continue work with second play", ''The Daily Illini'' 7 March 1930, p 11</ref> in the play "He Who Gets Slapped" by Leonid Andreyev.


* February 1929: attendance at an annual meeting
====Hillel Post====
* April 1929: written article following a medical conference
The Hillel Post<ref>[https://archives.library.illinois.edu/archon/?p=collections/controlcard&id=3341 University of Illinois Archives - Hillel Post]</ref> ''(1929-47)'' was the bi-weekly newsletter ''(sent by mail)'' of the Hillel Foundation, and at the University of Illinois it was sponsored by the B'nai B'rith. The Hillel Post contained news articles on foundation activities, calendars, columns on social, dramatic and sports activities, editorials, notices of religious services and celebrations, and advertisements.
* October 1929:  speaking at a convention of the Jewish Sisterhood chapters
* November 1929:  Article about an Orchestra Concert
* February 1930:  supporting cast (starring “Bezano”) in the play “Adam” by Ludwig Lewisohn (at least two others representations in April 1930)
* March and April 1930:  supporting actor in the play “He Who Gets Slapped” by Leonid Andreyev
(at least two others representations in April 1930)
* March 1930:  article written about a conference by Maurice Samuel
* March 1930:  article written about a theatre play
* April 1930:  play in “He Who Gets Slapped”
* October 1930:  chairman for a student tea dance 


Of particular interest is the fact that Lee is also mentioned as having play in some kind of promotional short movies for the Hillel Foundation :  - a May 1929 movie called “Hillel in Sham Pam” and featured for the Mother’s Day 
Leon H Epstein was the editor-in-chief<ref>[https://archives.library.illinois.edu/sweetcorn/PhantomCreator.php University of Illinois Archives - Leon H Epstein aka Lee Falk]</ref> for the Hillel Post a year and a half before stepped down from its editorship early 1931.


In some interviews, Lee said that he “started "[[Mandrake the Magician]]" in 1934 when I was still in University of Illinois”. As his university stay looks to have ended in fact in 1932, he was may be referring to another of his own  indication telling he had himself drawn some Mandrake strips for the King Features Syndicate. Perhaps his drawings were one of his projects shelved for two or three years before or done just after 1932, but this is just an allegation remaining uncertain.
No short stories with, or drawnings of, anything reminiscent of Mandrake or comics by Leon H Epstein are to be find in the Hillel Post.


[[Image:1932seniorclass.png|200px]]
====Fraternities, Honorary and Professional ====
Lee H Epstein became<ref>"300 new members wearing badges of fraternities", ''The Daily Illini'' 6 Mars 1929, p 10</ref> a member of Zeta Beta Tau on March 10, 1929. He joined<ref>"The Illini", ''1931'' (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)</ref> Kappa Phi Sigma in 1930 and Pi Delta Phi in 1931<ref>"The Illini", ''1932'' (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)</ref>.  


==Sources==
====The Daily Illini====
*Illinois Digital Newspaper Collections / The Daily Illini [http://idnc.library.illinois.edu/cgi-bin/illinois?a=q&hs=1&r=1&results=1&txq=Leon+Epstein&txf=txIN&ssnip=txt&o=20&dafdq=&dafmq=&dafyq=&datdq=&datmq=&datyq=&puq=DIL&e=-------en-20-DIL-1--txt-txIN-Daily+Illi------]
 
*[https://archives.library.illinois.edu/sweetcorn/PhantomCreator.php Leon H. Epstein (aka Lee Falk)]
Leon Harrison Epsteins was one of the night assistants for The Daily Illini from October 6, 1928. In 1930 he became one of the junior news editors on September 10 until October 11.  
 
=====Articles written by Leon H Epstein=====
'''1929'''
*February 16: Mentioned to attend the informal dance given by chapter Alpha Xi of Zeta Beta Tau at Washington university
 
*March 16: "Dr M M Leighton shows geological growth of state", an article
*March 27: "Woman physician was lone doctor for 2 000 000 Chinese", an article
*April 14: "Living jellyfish breed in fake ocean conditions", an article
*April 20: "Fever extinction is epochal feat, says dr Howard", an article
*May 26: "Prof Moore says ideas on metal changed in '90's", an article
*September 27: "Life in German schools freer; Heubaum says", an article on Dr Noyes new assistant
*October 2: "German chem finding made war possible", an article on nitric acid process
*October 10: "Search is usless", an article about Charles Lindberg
*October 22: "What! English major shouts, a lampshade!", an ''poetic'' article
*October 23: "Dr. Fishbein traces life of quackery", review from Hillel foundation
*October 29: "Jewish sisterhood of state to hold two-day meeting", speaking at a convention of the Jewish Sisterhood chapters
*November 14: "Woman's orchestra scores in concert", review of a concert
*November 22: "Cheyney sais English lead in democracy", an article
*December 11: "Pioneer revals work as botanist within plant lab", an article
*December 13: "Faculty Actores' Comedy Piece Well Portrayed", review of the play "The Silver Cord".
 
'''1930'''
*February 14: "Lincoln Theater will be equipped in modern style", an article
*March 7: "Prof Moraus traces trend of literature", an article
*March 7: "Miss Kelso has article in uni studies volume", an article
*March 8: "Moraud discusses English criticism", an article
*March 13: "Public welfare leader explains aim of therapy", an article
*March 21: "Samuel says intellectual fake is peculiar to modern age", an article about a conference by Maurice Samuel
*March 22: "Berdahl claims US has always favored league", an article
*March 29: "Reporter tells stage activities of ''beggar'' play", an article about a theatre play
*April 4: "Jewish thought characterized by dr Goldman in address", an article
*April 12: "Rare ivory comb being displayed", an article
*April 27: "Youthful musicians wander 'neath the shadows of the ages", an ''poetic'' revue
*October 21: Mentioned as chairman for a student tea dance at Hillel 
 
No short stories with, or drawnings of, anything reminiscent of Mandrake or comics by Leon H Epstein are to be find in The Daily Illini.
<gallery>
Image:LF-1932|''Leon H Epstein''
Image:ZBT-pin|''Zeta Beta Tau''
Image:KPS-pin|''Kappa Phi Sigma''
Image:PDP-pin|''Pi Delta Phi''
Image:Hillelpage19310231front.jpg|''Hillel Post''
</gallery>
 
==Note==
<references group="footnotes" />
 
==References==
<references />


[[Category: Spotlight on|Falk - The University Years, Lee]]
[[Category: Spotlight on|Falk - The University Years, Lee]]

Revision as of 15:14, 4 April 2017

UoI-Seal.jpg
Subject: Lee Falk


University of Illinois

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (almost located at mid-way between St. Louis, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois)

The school year was divided into two terms of twenty weeks each[1].

Leon Harrison Epstein

Leon H. Epstein attended the University of Illinois fall term 1928. In the yearbook of 1932 he is presented as a student of Liberal Art and Sciences - English; and member of Zeta Beta Tau[footnotes 1] [footnotes 2], Pi Delta Phi[footnotes 3], Kappa Phi Sigma[footnotes 4], The Daily Illini (1, 2, 3) and Honors[footnotes 5] Day (1, 2, 3).

Honors

In 1929[2], 1930[3] and 1931[4] Leon H. Epstein recieved Honor the High Scholarship and graduated in 1932 with Degree of Bechelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Science with Honors in English[5].

The Hillel Foundation

At the university Leon H Epstein soon became part of the Hillel Foundation[footnotes 6] [6] and beame part of the Hiller Players. On April 6 1929 he was[7] Gratiano in "The Lady of Belmont" St. John Ervine's humorous sequel to Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice".

He acted[8] as an open forum speaker (Max Yeastman) in "Hillel in Sham Pain", a student-produced movie presented Mothers Day[9] (May 12, 1929). The movie dealed with the building of a new foundation quarters. The last year he was with the Hiller Players he acted[10] as a poet[11] in the play "Adam" by Ludwig Lewisohn on March 5, and on April 15 and 16[12] as Bezano[13] in the play "He Who Gets Slapped" by Leonid Andreyev.

Hillel Post

The Hillel Post[14] (1929-47) was the bi-weekly newsletter (sent by mail) of the Hillel Foundation, and at the University of Illinois it was sponsored by the B'nai B'rith. The Hillel Post contained news articles on foundation activities, calendars, columns on social, dramatic and sports activities, editorials, notices of religious services and celebrations, and advertisements.

Leon H Epstein was the editor-in-chief[15] for the Hillel Post a year and a half before stepped down from its editorship early 1931.

No short stories with, or drawnings of, anything reminiscent of Mandrake or comics by Leon H Epstein are to be find in the Hillel Post.

Fraternities, Honorary and Professional

Lee H Epstein became[16] a member of Zeta Beta Tau on March 10, 1929. He joined[17] Kappa Phi Sigma in 1930 and Pi Delta Phi in 1931[18].

The Daily Illini

Leon Harrison Epsteins was one of the night assistants for The Daily Illini from October 6, 1928. In 1930 he became one of the junior news editors on September 10 until October 11.

Articles written by Leon H Epstein

1929

  • February 16: Mentioned to attend the informal dance given by chapter Alpha Xi of Zeta Beta Tau at Washington university
  • March 16: "Dr M M Leighton shows geological growth of state", an article
  • March 27: "Woman physician was lone doctor for 2 000 000 Chinese", an article
  • April 14: "Living jellyfish breed in fake ocean conditions", an article
  • April 20: "Fever extinction is epochal feat, says dr Howard", an article
  • May 26: "Prof Moore says ideas on metal changed in '90's", an article
  • September 27: "Life in German schools freer; Heubaum says", an article on Dr Noyes new assistant
  • October 2: "German chem finding made war possible", an article on nitric acid process
  • October 10: "Search is usless", an article about Charles Lindberg
  • October 22: "What! English major shouts, a lampshade!", an poetic article
  • October 23: "Dr. Fishbein traces life of quackery", review from Hillel foundation
  • October 29: "Jewish sisterhood of state to hold two-day meeting", speaking at a convention of the Jewish Sisterhood chapters
  • November 14: "Woman's orchestra scores in concert", review of a concert
  • November 22: "Cheyney sais English lead in democracy", an article
  • December 11: "Pioneer revals work as botanist within plant lab", an article
  • December 13: "Faculty Actores' Comedy Piece Well Portrayed", review of the play "The Silver Cord".

1930

  • February 14: "Lincoln Theater will be equipped in modern style", an article
  • March 7: "Prof Moraus traces trend of literature", an article
  • March 7: "Miss Kelso has article in uni studies volume", an article
  • March 8: "Moraud discusses English criticism", an article
  • March 13: "Public welfare leader explains aim of therapy", an article
  • March 21: "Samuel says intellectual fake is peculiar to modern age", an article about a conference by Maurice Samuel
  • March 22: "Berdahl claims US has always favored league", an article
  • March 29: "Reporter tells stage activities of beggar play", an article about a theatre play
  • April 4: "Jewish thought characterized by dr Goldman in address", an article
  • April 12: "Rare ivory comb being displayed", an article
  • April 27: "Youthful musicians wander 'neath the shadows of the ages", an poetic revue
  • October 21: Mentioned as chairman for a student tea dance at Hillel

No short stories with, or drawnings of, anything reminiscent of Mandrake or comics by Leon H Epstein are to be find in The Daily Illini.

  • LF-1932

    Leon H Epstein

  • ZBT-pin

    Zeta Beta Tau

  • KPS-pin

    Kappa Phi Sigma

  • PDP-pin

    Pi Delta Phi

  • Hillel Post

Note

  1. ↑ The objective of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity (still currently in action with 90 chapters and colonies in the United States) is to develop, among its members, awareness and social responsibility as well as individual integrity. Founded in 1898, it was originally destined to the Jewish community before to be opened to a larger student brotherhood in 1954. At the time of the Lee Falk’s membership, the fraternity Chapter house (Rho Chapter established in 1912) was located at 907 South Fourth Street, Chicago.
  2. ↑ Interesting in 1932 his brother, Leslie, was one of the freshmen in Zeta Beta Tau.
  3. ↑ Pi Delta Phi was founded at the University of Chicago in 1906. In 1932 there was eight active chapters including the Epsilon Chapter at the University of Illinois. The object of the Pi Delta Phi was: "To inmprove scolarship, and to promote an interest in the field of French Language and literature".
  4. ↑ Kappa Phi Sigma was founded at the University of Illinois in 1867. In 1932 there was ten active chapters including the Philomathean Chapter at the University of Illinois. The object of the Kappa Phi Sigma was: "To develope cogency of thought and personal power by public speech and contact of personalities, and to stimulate cultural activities."
  5. ↑ Honors were divided into two groups: superior and high. The superior group in the upper three classes was composed of the three per cent while the high scholarship students were those in the upper 10 per cent.
  6. ↑ At the University of Illinois in 1923 the first Hillel Foundation to serve the religious needs of Jewish college students was established. By 1940 Hillel had become a major American Jewish organization with foundations serving college students at campus across the country

References

  1. ↑ "Local Faculty and Student Directory books", University of Illinois November 1929
  2. ↑ "857 students will be cited by university", The Daily Illini 16 May 1929, p 2
  3. ↑ "List students for program on honors day", The Daily Illini 15 May 1930, p 6
  4. ↑ "Scholars get honors today; unveil tablet", The Daily Illini 15 May 1931, p 6
  5. ↑ "Meeting of the Board of Trusters of the University of Illinois", (Degrees Conferred 13 June 1932) p 614
  6. ↑ Sanua Marianne Rachel (2003), "Going Greek: Jewish College Fraternities in the United States, 1895-1945", Wayne State University Press Detroit (Michigan, Detroit) p 203
  7. ↑ "Students will stage "Lady of Belmont" in Hillel Foundation", The Daily Illini 6 April 1929, p 6
  8. ↑ "Pereira announces cast for students film at foundation", The Daily Illini 30 April 1929, p 7
  9. ↑ "Students of Hillel Foundation to give movie in program", The Daily Illini 10 May 1929, p 11
  10. ↑ "Coach announced members of cast for Hillel drama", The Daily Illini 20 February 1930, p 8
  11. ↑ "Foundation players will present first play of semester", The Daily Illini 5 March 1930, p 6
  12. ↑ "Koolish 32 heads Hillel play cast", The Daily Illini 7 March 1930, p 1
  13. ↑ "Foundation players to continue work with second play", The Daily Illini 7 March 1930, p 11
  14. ↑ University of Illinois Archives - Hillel Post
  15. ↑ University of Illinois Archives - Leon H Epstein aka Lee Falk
  16. ↑ "300 new members wearing badges of fraternities", The Daily Illini 6 Mars 1929, p 10
  17. ↑ "The Illini", 1931 (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
  18. ↑ "The Illini", 1932 (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
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