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PAGE TWO
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 1950
L. N.' Daddy' Flint Was Pioneer In Field Of Journalism
By RICHARD DILSAVER
Once he recommended a student for a job because he had flunked the boy out of school and feared prospective employers wouldn't give the youth a chance because of that bad mark.
Then again, he detected a student more absorbed in gazing at the Wakarusa valley than in listening to his classroom lecture. He promptly notified the student he need no longer attend classes if the lecture was so boring. The boy was told to read and report at semester's end of the course. The student accepted the alternative, attended no more classes, reported on the books—and got an "A" for the course.
Such individuality, among other things, during his 40 years as a member of the University faculty, has made Leon Nelson Flint, professor emeritus of journalism, a loved and respected figure. Now 74 years old and comfortably retired at his home at 1603 Louisiana street, Professor Flint modestly looks back on the myriad of activities and accomplishments which filled those 40 years.
In 1905 when Professor Flint came to the University as its first alumni secretary, K.U. didn't have its present William Allen White School of Journalism and Public Information. The extent of journalism education was then a single reporting class taught in the department of English. He took over that class in 1906. A decade later K.U. had a full-fledged department of journalism and Leon Nelson Flint was its first chairman.
In the midst of them he was a true pioneer. The frontier was the field of academic journalism education—still a field young by most standards, but greatly advanced by the work of Professor Flint and others like him.
He served as chairman of the department for 25 years, retiring in 1941, although remaining as a professor until 1946. He can receive no greater tribute for his work during those years than the unanimous regard, admiration, and devotion held for him by the more than 1,200 students whose college journalism training was under his tutelage. Testimony of this is the huge stack of Christmas cards he received this holiday season from many of those former students.
What happened to journalism at the University during these 40 years is largely the story of Professor Flint. But despite this and his nickname of "Daddy of Kansas journalism," a great share of his prestige came through work on a national scale.
Most of that work was with the American Association of Schools and Departments of Journalism. That organization went far in establishing academic and professional students in education in the field. Professors at the institute constituted member of the "old guard" which established the association in 1922.
Two books by Professor Flint have also made him prominently known. His "The Editorial" was the first textbook ever published dealing with editorial writing. Another, "The Conscience of the Newspaper," also published early in its field, is to
this day regarded as one of the finest dealing with newspaper ethics.
What does the man with so honorable a record do now that he is retired? In his own words, "I just take it easy."
Most of his time is spent about his large house "fixing it up and helping my wife." An early riser, the tall, trim gentleman of Welsh extraction usually greets Mrs. Flint each morning from the kitchen where he has prepared breakfast. "I'm supposed to be a fair hand at making coffee," he'll admit.
Part of the rest of the day is spent in a comfortable basement workshop, well equipped with tools and a radio. He is also often found in the small second-floor study where he handles his personal correspondence and writing. Adoring the walls of the study are several portrait reproductions ("I'd love to buy the originals but I can't afford them"), including several of wildlife and an attractive semi-nude.
—Photo by Bob Blank
and a small picture of the late William Allen White in a white felt hat worn at a jaunty angle. The hat was Mr. White's campaign "banner" when he was a candidate for governor in 1928, Professor Flint explained.
Leon N. Flint, professor emeritus of journalism, is shown at his desk in the Journalism building. He still uses the roll-top desk he began using when he became chairman of the department of journalism at the University in 1916. Professor Flint, known affectionately as "Daddy" Flint, served the department of journalism for 40 years.
journalism in 1916, and chats with students and friends who drop by.
He usually finds time at least once a week to go to the office still kept for him in the Journalism building. There he handles more correspondence, doing it at the same roll-top desk he has used since he first became chairman of the department of
For recreation his favorites are bridge and billiards at the University club. He also enjoys dinners and meetings of organizations in the School of Journalism. Such activities indicate he is bothered by few of the infirmities of later years. His biggest handicap is poor hearing.
Kansas chalk is as good quality as that found in the famous Cliffs of Dover, and there is more of it.
THIS WISE BIRD SAYS:
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