Since at least 1897, Polish students have been attending the University of Illinois. They have included accountants, architectural engineers, artists, business administrators, cartoonists, catalogers, ceramic engineers, chemical engineers, chemists, civil engineers, historians, mathematicians, philosophers, photographers, sociologists, and writers. Read on to learn more about early Polish Illini!

Early Illinois – Poland Connections

The papers of Agronomy and Plant Genetics Professor Jack R. Harlan (Record Series 8/6/25) document his father Harry V. Harlan’s 1919 Polish visit during a trip to study grain harvest in Europe. International Y.M.C.A. executive Paul B. Anderson’s (Record Series 15/35/54) papers include correspondence and maps concerning Poland and neighboring countries from World War I through the 1980s. Electrical Engineering Professor Joseph T. Tykociner (Record Series 11/6/20) grew up in Poland and his papers include his 1930s correspondence with friends and family in Poland. In fact, Speech Professor Richard Murphy’s papers (Record Series 15/23/27) include photographs of 1939 and 1959 Warsaw as taken by Julien Bryan (who later earned the Zasłużony dla Kultury Polskiej honor for his work in Poland). Economics Professor John F. Bell (Record Series 9/5/24) collected Polish propaganda during the 1940s. In 1946, Illinois alumni John L. Strohm (Record Series 26/20/75) visited Poland during a European tour. Spanning over thirty-five years of documentation from the invasion of Poland through 1975, the papers of former Library Cataloger Felicia L. Turyn (Record Series 35/2/27) include her 318-page account “Wartime Memoirs of a Polish Refugee” and decades of personal correspondence with German and Polish colleagues. Of course, from 1939 until 1949, the founder of sociology in Poland, Florian Znaniecki, (Record Series 15/21/22) was a Sociology Professor at Illinois too.

After World War II, connections would continue. For example, economics Professor Simon Litman’s papers (Record Series 9/5/29) include a collection of articles on Poland concerning the 1950s and 1960s. At least as early as the 1950s, Illinois students were arranging study trips to Poland too. In 1969, the University of Illinois Jazz Band toured Russia and Poland, supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of State. [1] For academic year 1971-1972, University of Warsaw Polish History Professor Antoni Mączak came to Illinois as a visiting professor. For spring semester 1975, Warsaw Polytechnic Institute art instructor Krzysztof Wodiczko was an artist-in-residence at Illinois. During the 1980s, the Art and Design Department (Record Series 12/3/1) collaborated with the School of Art and Design (in Łódź) for an exchange program.

Early Polish Illini

Stanisław Dowiatt

One of the first Polish students may have been Stanisław Dowiatt (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 1900). Mr. Dowiatt left Kovno, Poland, (now Kaunas, Lithuania), for Chicago, where he worked as a cataloger in the Chicago Public Library, until his enrollment at the University. Mr. Dowiatt left limited student life records, leaving his student days as a mystery beyond his bachelors thesis and a listing as a member of the Civil Engineering Club. After graduation, Mr. Dowiatt found employment in Pennsylvania, then Spokane, Washington, and later in California where he worked in the oil industry. [2]

The Tarnoski Brothers

All three Tarnoski brothers, of Polish-born parents living in Chicago, graduated from the University in three different fields and lived three different lives.

First came the eldest brother, Edward Romaine Tarnoski, (B.S. in Civil Engineering, 1907), who was also an athlete. Mr. Edward Romaine competitively performed in shot, hammer throw, and vault, with acclaim during his freshmen and sophomore years, before becoming a member of the varsity team. [3] After graduation, Mr. Edward Romaine and his classmate James William McManis (B.S. Civil Engineering, 1907) formed the McManis and Tarnoski Construction and Engineering Company in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1914. The company developed water towers, fireproof schools, and other buildings, before entering contracting work during World War One. [4]

Next came Paul Thaddeus Tarnoski, (B.S. in Chemical Engineering, 1907), whose larger body build made him an effective Left End and later Full Back football player who joined the varsity team in 1906. [5] Nearing graduation, Mr. Paul Thaddeus was involved with the development of the Chemical and Engineering Company of Chicago, in 1907. [6] The Chemical and Engineering Company provided high accuracy sample analyses and other services to the fertilizer industry. Besides being a chemical engineer and businessman, Mr. Paul Thaddeus was also a photographer in the Chicago Camera Club (1889-?), where he was a Club secretary and a member with photos featured in annual exhibitions during the early 1920s. [7]

Later came the youngest brother, Alexander Stephen Tarnoski, (B.S. in Architectural Engineering, 1915), who was also an enthusiastic artist. On campus, he started a promising career as the cartoonist “Tar” too. First, it was early 1909, when Tar was chosen to be the cartoonist for the annual circus. [8] Then, it was late 1909, when he became the Art Editor for the 1910 Illio. [9] Later, by the end of 1909, Tar became a cartoonist for the Illini. [10] In 1910, when Illio management reaffirmed firm portrait photo submission due dates, Tar and his art team were authorized to make caricatures of any missing graduating seniors. [11] Two years after graduation, it was December 1917, when Tar was called for the third officers’ reserve examination. [12] He passed the physical examination and he was commissioned to serve in field artillery in World War One. Sadly, one year into service, during an airplane training accident in France, Mr. Tarnoski and a colleague had lost their lives. [13] Alongside other World War One Illini, Mr. Tarnoski was remembered in the construction of the Memorial Stadium. [14]

Other Polish Illini

Mr. Arthur S. Grossberg, (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1910), was also born to Polish parents from Posen. Mr. Grossberg prepared at McKinley High School in Chicago, before coming to Illinois. [15] Mr. Grossberg was a contributor to the Class of 1909 memorial fund, Mechanical Engineering Club talk “Coal Handling Machinery“, and he as a member of the Illinois National Guard First Regiment too. Mr. Henry J. Popperfuss, (B.S. Civil Engineering, 1910), of Tomah, Wisconsin, was the son of immigrants from Germany and Poland. Mr. Popperfuss prepared at St. Ignatius College in Chicago, before coming to Illinois. [16] Mr Popperfuss was on the track team and the basketball team (where he was captain junior year) too. During junior year, Mr. Popperfuss was a candidate for the football team manager too. After graduation, Mr. Popperfuss joined a massive constructive project in Brazil, to develop the Madeira-Mamore Railroad, and he would be among the founders of the Brazilian Illini Club too. During World War I, Mr. Popperfuss was a member of the 95th Aero Squadron.

Mr. Harry Polkowski, (B.S. Civil Engineering, 1912), was born in Poland, and his parents were from Tajno and Sczuczyn. Mr. Polkowski prepared at the Crane Tech Institute in Chicago, before coming to Illinois. [17] Mr. Polkowski was an athlete too. Mr. Polkowski competed in water polo, gymnastics, and wrestling. Mr. Oscar Lippman Liss, (B.S. Civil Engineering, 1914), of Zgierz, prepared at the University Academy, before coming to Illinois. [18]

Mr. Joseph Ludwig Kobylanski, (B.S. Architectural Engineering, 1915), of Polish Galicia, prepared at Crane Tech High School in Chicago, before coming to Illinois. [19] Mr. Harry Amsterdam, (A.M. Philosophy, 1916), of Warsaw, might have been the first Polish graduate student. [20]

Mr. Earl Emanuel Libman, (B.S. Ceramic Engineering, 1916; M.S. Chemistry, 1920), of Chicago, was the son of a Polish immigrant, and Mr. Libman prepared at Crane Tech High School in Chicago, before coming to Illinois. [21] Mr. Frank Rosenberg, (B.S. Ceramic Engineering, 1916), of New York City, was the son of Polish immigrants, and he prepared at both William McKinley High School and Crane Junior College, before coming to Illinois. [22]

Ms. Veronica Catherine Matuszevicz, (A.B. Liberal Arts and Science, 1918), of Minonk, Illinois, was the daughter of Polish immigrants, and she prepared at Minonk High School, before coming to Illinois. [23] Mr. William Philip Udinsky, (B.S. Chemical Engineering, 1918; M.S. Chemistry, 1920; PhD Mathematics, 1922), of Erazewa, Poland, prepared at Evon Preparatory School in New York City, before coming to Illinois. [24]

During and after his graduation, DI writers twice reported the death of Jan Paul Zaleski, (B.S. Landscape Gardening, 1917), once in World War One and once in an automobile accident in Chicago. [25] On the contrary, Mr. Zaleski lived a long life as a student, a World War One soldier, and a member of the Polish Arts Club in Chicago. During his two years of military service, Mr. Zaleski was wounded twice and he was one of the first 100,000 American soldiers to land in France. Mr. Zaleski was in the 88th Infantry division, then the 82nd division, and he served with the 307th Engineers. [26] While abroad, he even took the time to write to the DI, to favorably report on the Y.M.C.A.’s services to soldiers.

Robert Horatio Antoszewski

Robert H. Antoszewski, (A.B. Liberal Arts and Sciences, 1918), of Glencoe, Illinois, was a founder of Polonia Club for Polish students in the Polish diaspora, as well as an active member in the Adelphic Literary Society, Cosmopolitan Club, and The Scribbler. Mr. Antoszewski was a competitive orator too. In the 1916 National Oratorical League competition, he presented, “The Unconquered Spirit of Poland“and he won second place. [27] In the 1917 Peace Collegiate Oratorical Contest in Chicago, Mr. Antoszewski won second place again with his new work “Poland and Peace”. Finally, in 1918, Mr. Antoszewski’s last great work was his senior thesis “Remember Poland“.

Of course there were graduate students too. Early Polish Illini graduate students have included: Stanislaus Joseph Smolenski (M.S. Pharmacognosy, 1953) and Tadeusz Marian Janowski (M.Arch, 1965).

Polish Clubs

For one century, since at least 1916, Polish students have formed at least 4 student organizations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. These clubs have served Polish Illini as resources to study culture and history, and as cultural resources for the University community.

Polonia Club, 1916-1918

Polonia Club was established to help Polish high school students attend colleges in the United States and to help promote literary study. [28] In fact, at the time of its foundation, solely Illinois and Michigan had Polish student groups, The Illini reported. The first officers were: president Jan P. Zaleski, secretary Veronica C. Matuszewicz, and treasurer Anna Polkowski. At the time of its formation, Polonia Club was one of three student cultural organizations, including Cosmopolitan Club and Latin American Club, The Illini reported. Polonia Club met on late Friday afternoons in University Hall.

Sarmatia of Illinois, 1930-1937

In March 1930, Sarmatia of Illinois formed to acquaint Polish students with Polish history, art, and to establish a Chair of Polish Language and Literature. The faculty advisor was Professor of Electrical Engineering Joseph T. Tykociner. The first president was Frank Milanowski. The organization hosted monthly meetings at Newman Hall, and special events were organized throughout the school year. Some special events included a May 1932 dinner with the Polish Counsel from Chicago Rudolph Rathaus and Counsel Attache Stanislaus Jaworski, annual independence day socials as early as 1933, and guest speaker talks including a 1937 Valentine’s talk titled “Poland” by Professor Tykociner himself.

Polish Club, 1942-54

From the 1940s onward, Polish student organizations would have a variety of names including “Polish Club” and “Polski Klub”. After World War Two, the reorganized Polish Club formed to: participate in the activities of the University and other University clubs; to promote higher education; to conduct cultural, athletic and social events; and to study the Polish language, literature and culture. [29] Of particular interest is 1943 Casimir Pulaski Day event which included two student by Edwin Kowalczyk and Walter Kendzierski, while Miss Helena Znaniecki spoke “on her experiences in Poland after the outbreak of the war and on the treatment of Poles in German concentration camps”, The Daily Illini reported. In 1952, Polish Club organized a talk by Polish poet and writer Juliusz Znaniecki who spoke on “Man and the Writer”. By 1954, after over a decade of student organizing, Polish Club had become inactive.

Polish Club Zagłoba (2002-Present)

Since at least 2002, Zagłoba (Record Series 41/64/54) formed as a cultural organization to support University students who are native Polish speakers, individuals of Polish heritage, or those interested in learning about Polish cultures. For over fifteen years, Polish Club Zagłoba has sponsored annual social events including barn dances, semi-formals, Polish folk-dances, and coffee hours, to financially support philanthropic programs in Poland and Illinois.

Are you a Polish Illini? Do you know someone who is? We’d like to hear from you! Please send us a message or leave a comment below. We want to include you and your story, as we celebrate the first 150 years of the University of Illinois.

Happy First 150 everyone!

(A special thank you to Peter Cioch, Marcin Wasilewski, the 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 Zagłoba officers, as well as the 2015-2016 University of Illinois Slavic Graduate Student Association and Dr. David Cooper who gave feedback on an early version of this work.)

[] Before Poland was independent, Polish immigrants and the descendants of Polish immigrants could be found in higher education; however, without viewing private, restricted student records, it is difficult to know if a student was born in Poland or the descendant of Polish immigrants. Careful readers should understand that this is true for all students groups.

[1] Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, December 17, 1969, page 722, Record Series 1/1/802.

[2] Alumni Quarterly, Volume 1, Number 1, January 1907, page 46 and Alumni Record, 1918, page 129.

[3] “Freshmen Win Fall Handicap“, The Illini, October 12, 1903, page 1; “Freshmen Track Team Defeat Chicago Boys in Dual Meet”, The Illini, February 29, 1904; “Sophomores Victorious“, The Illini, October 9, 1904, page 1; “Varsity Track Men Victorious Over Chicago“, The Illini, March 2, 1907.

[4] “A Big Job Successfully Completed: Construction of the Albert Lea Concrete Water Tower and Resevoir Presented Some Difficult Problems, Which Were Successfully Overcome”, by E. R. Tarnoski, Contractor’s Atlas, Volume 9, Number 5, page 2; (Untitled), Alumni Quarterly and Fortnightly Notes, October 5, 1918, page 56.

[5] “Carrithers Sees Wabash“, The Illini, October 9, 1906, page 1; “Board of Control Awards Varsity Men “I’s”, The Illini, December 6, 1906, page 1.

[6] “Chemical and Engineering Company”, The American Fertilizer, June 5, 1920, page 122. Prior to his 1920 interview, Mr. Paul Thaddeus comically warned students and alumni of the initial personal and financial difficulties of starting a consulting business, (citing great personal weight loss and weight gain). Please see: Illinois Chemist, Volume 1, Number 1, November 1915, page 30.

[7] “Chicago Camera Club 18th Annual Exhibition of Pictorial Photography”, Art Institute of Chicago, April 15th to May 15th, 1921; “Chicago Camera Club 19th Annual Exhibition of Pictorial Photography”, Art Institute of Chicago, April 15th to May 21th, 1922; “Chicago Camera Club 20th Annual Exhibition of Pictorial Photography”, Art Institute of Chicago, March 20th to April 22nd, 1924; “Chicago Camera Club 21th Annual Exhibition of Pictorial Photography”, Art Institute of Chicago, March 17th to April 24th, 1925. Please see the Art Institute of Chicago’s Ryerson and Burnham Archives for more information.

[8] “Appoint Officers to Take Charge of Circus Plans”, The Illini, April 21, 1909, page 5.

[9] “Local News”, Daily Illini, November 5, 1909, page 5.

[10] Daily Illini, December 12, 1909, page 4.

[11] “Illio Art Staff Plans to Caricature Delaying Seniors“, The Daily Illini, page 4. This was the same Illio staff which piloted a subscription plan, to better estimate how many copies to print. Please see: “Illio Management to Try Subscription Game“, The Daily Illini, February 16, 1910, page 1. Advertisements for the 1911 Illio can be found in 1910 in February and March 1910 copies of The Daily Illini.

[12] “Call Illini for R.O.T.C. Tests”, The Daily Illini, December 12, 1917, page 1; “Physical Examination for Training Camps Held”, The Daily Illini, December 13, 1917, page 1; “Forty-Seven Illini Get Commissions at Grant“, The Daily Illini, May 4, 1918, page 8.

[13] “Campus Brevities”, The Daily Illini, February 4, 1919, page 6. During gunnery practice, the airplane’s engine ceased while making a steep ascent. Please see: “Alexander Steven Tarnoski“, on the webpage for the Veterans’ Memorial Project.

[14] A longer list of Illini was published in DI in 1920. Please see: “Honor Roll of Illinois Heroes Who Gave Lives for Country“, The Daily Illini, March 28, 1910, page 10.

[15] “Arthur Sariah Grossberg”, page 378.

[16] “Henry John Popperfuss”, page 393.

[17] “Harry Polkowski”, 469.

[18] “Oscar Lippman Liss”, 542.

[19] “Joseph Ludwig Kobylanksi”, page 584.

[20] “Harry Amsterdam”, page 743.

[21] “Earl Emanuel Libman”, page 632.

[22] “Frank Rosenberg”, page 643.

[23] “Veronica Catherine Matuszevicz”, page 727.

[24] “William Philip Udinsky”, page 737.

[25] “Illini, Reported Dead in France, Bound Home“, The Daily Illini, February 1, 1919, page 2; “Zaleski, Reported Dead, Still Lives“, The Daily Illini, December 13, 1921, page 7.

[26] “Zaleski Returns After Year and Half Oversears“, The Daily Illini, March 5, 1919, page2; “Y is Doing a Lot of Good” by Jan Paul Zaleski, The Daily Illini, November 17, 1917, page 8.

[27] The DI writer was suspicious of the first place winner. “Antoszewski Gets Second in N.O.L.“, The Daily Illini, May 6, 1916, page 1.

[28] Student and Faculty Organization Constitutions and Registration Cards, Record Series 41/2/41, Box 20, Folder “Polish Club”.