Our Dorm Room Will Be Colonial Style - Saturday, September 30, 1961

Vivien and I went to Kansas City and we now have our drapes and rug. We decided to do our room "colonial style" with our Martha Washington bedspreads so got white ruffled curtains and a braided rug in sort of green, yellow and tan. I bought a camera for $10.00 that Mom had said I could get for part of my birthday present early. I got a color film for fall pictures of this beautiful campus. We ate at a Chinese restaurant and had fried rice, chow mein, egg rolls and almond cookies. It was interesting - sugarless tea in cups without handles. We didn't get back till almost 7:00 on the Greyhound. I got an A on my audience characterization paper for speech. 

A Visit to the Campus Infirmary - Friday, September 29, 1961

This morning I walked up to the infirmary to inquire about the hemorrhoid I've had the last few days. I was going to go at 11:00 but biology lab got out out early so I went at 9:30 when the doctor was there. He said it was a slight one and they gave me some medicine for diarrhea. I had to take some up there and had to find some soda crackers in a cupboard to take it with. I'm glad no one was in the dining room to see my gagging and eyes watering. Vivien thought a nap would be best for me this afternoon so I took one. Now I've got to start reading my art. I wrote to Phyllis to have her send me the timeline from Kiplinger Magazine  to use for speech.

Liking the Way French Class is Taught - Thursday, September 28, 1961

It has been a typical beautiful college day. We did our first writing in French class. I sure like Dr. Hampl. She is going through the words we've had and grouping them according to the International Phonetic Alphabet and also giving comments about silent consonants, etc. It's swell. I managed to read Book VII of Ovid a lot better. I don't know why I didn't read the rest of the book better. What a fast week this has been. Tonight Viv, Nancy and I spied on the couples coming in at 9:00, from our window. Interesting! This is the best room in Hawley, I'm sure, for view (front) and location (center of second floor) - except for the telephone's constant ringing [one phone per floor shared by all the girls on the floor]. 

Will Dress for Dinner on Wednesdays - Wednesday, September 27, 1961

This afternoon I went down to Vivian's Beauty Shop to get my hair thinned and shortened. It cost $1.50 and looks and feels a lot better. I've had quite a few comments on it, too. Tonight was dress-up for dinner and vespers. Not too many were at vespers. Gordon Edwards gave a very interesting talk. I wrote a four page letter home this evening. I also got a letter from Mom. She told Mrs. Kephart that I tested out of English composition and am taking world literature instead. I'd been wishing she would tell her. But I've got to get a better grip on Ovid before it's too late. I'm doing a terrible job of reading it. Nancy Kelley is here studying Spanish with Viv. Viv is always giving lessons. She, by the way, was one of the 50 finalists in the United Presbyterian college scholarship contest.

An Individual Microscope for Biology Lab - Tuesday, September 26, 1961

Tonight some of us had pizzas from North Kansas City. When three of us share a small one it costs 45 cents each. The freshmen were "branded" once again with our Park beanies. They look real cute en masse. Tonight we had a movie on Semantics in Alumni Hall. President Morrill sat behind us. (He bumped into me last night! - an important man!) I'm afraid I messed up my biology lab today. I think it's going to be really fun though. It will be wonderful having a nice individual microscope - if I can learn to adjust it and speed up my lab procedures.
 

A Day of Successes - Monday, September 25, 1961

This has been a day of successes. We just got our Park beanies that we have to wear till Saturday noon - a Hell Week "extension." Tonight the girls had physicals over at the health center. It sure is a nice place. I got my schedule changed and the appropriate approvals made. I think I'll like trampoline and fencing. Viv and I went down to the lumber yard this afternoon and bought two boards for our brick and board shelves. We found the bricks in Herr House basement. I bought a light blue Park College sweat shirt. There's a rumor that they're going to stop using the present emblem but I sure hope not.

Mid-Prairie Yearbook Came Yesterday - Sunday, September 24, 1961

I feel a thousand times better for having slept or rested over twelve hours last night. I hope to go to sleep as shortly after our 10:15 floor meeting tonight as possible. I had a hard time staying awake in church this morning even so. I guess it was partly hunger. I really helped my cold. Nancy Kelley and I thought there was an LEC meeting this afternoon in Mackay. We couldn't hear the announcement very good. We walked in on a Men's Athletic Council meeting! We felt so funny. We've sure been having some drizzly, rainy days. Margie, Viv and I took a little kitten over to Woodward tonight where there's already a mother cat and three kittens. I got my Mid-Prairie yearbook yesterday. At long last!

Hell Week is Over and Frosh Court is a Success - Saturday, September 23, 1961

Hell Week is over. I'm dead tired and I have a terrible cold so I'm going to bed. I guess our frosh skit and the whole talent show at frosh court were real good. Three comments I heard: "terrific," "a terrific freshman class," and " the best frosh talent show in four years." I pantomimed for our skit with Janet, Rand and Joe. By the way, my date for frosh court turned out to be [the head judge]. We were both in the show so I didn't see much of him. He gave me a huge hug in the JR [Jolly Roger - the student union] and kept yelling "Date!" out at me from a distance during the show. We had to do the "button" [a curtsy or bow] in front of Mackay for our capping ceremony, but the beanies aren't here yet.   

Planning a Freshman Skit for Frosh Court - Friday, September 22, 1961

I feel so good. I just got home from another frosh court skit planning meeting and found Margie had my bed turned down, tooth brush and pajamas laid out. We are using my suggestion of turning "The Night Before Christmas" into "The Night Before Hell Week" for the skit. I'm so tired though. I did a terrible job on my biology test. I ate breakfast at the goons' table, ironed two pairs of pants, and contributed in a hundred ways to my "learning" the Park way of life. The upperclass men beat the frosh in softball. We were made to cheer, cheer, cheer.

Awakened at 4:00 for Hell Week - Thursday, September 21, 1961

What a day! It started at 4:00 this morning with a screaming, banging arousing by the goons and goonesses, tramping around the parking lot and chanting [the Hell Week chant], walking single file to all the dorms, and carrying on on the athletic field till breakfast. I had to lie down on the blacktop for my funeral, was spanked twice with a long black paddle, and told numerous times that I was a "stupid frosh," etc. We also went through "air raids" and "floods" in Commons, etc. Some of the bratty freshmen were given a pretty rough deal, but I've had a lot of fun. I was almost too tired though to stay awake for the all-student chapel lecture. I've got a freshman skit practice to go to at 8:30.

Hell Week Has Begun - Wednesday, September 20, 1961

I sit here at my desk with wet hair doing biology. In the hall are upper class girls watching the "wee baby" frosh girls. ("Hell Week" began at supper tonight.) The goons and goonesses look like horror. We have to wear our skirts three inches above our knees and wrong-side out, hair uncombed, no makeup, and carry a favorite possession. It should be quite an experience. I'm still trying to get my schedule changed. Badminton and golf in phys ed is filled up so I might try to get fencing and trampolining. I'm changing speech to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:00.

Park's 87th Opening Convocation is Impressive - Tuesday, September 19, 1961

The very impressive 87th opening convocation of Park College was this morning. All the faculty members marched in in their caps and gowns. There are 555 students at Park this year (not all full-time). They also had a combination memorial service for a former dean of Park, Dr. Sanders, who died Sunday. Afternoon classes were called off for his funeral. He was at Park as a teacher, dean and historian from 1911 to l959. I spent all afternoon on biology lab (characteristics and classifications of everything from copperhead snakes to bacteria). I have had to change my schedule because Dr. Hampl scheduled my bio lab for 1:00-2:00 - it's either 12:00 - 1:00 or 2:00 - 3:00, etc., etc.

Dag Hammarskjold Dies in African Plane Crash - Monday, September 18, 1961

I must get to bed. I was ready first on our floor tonight compared to last last night. I've got Metamorphoses to read and that should do for tomorrow as I've only got French and art since afternoon classes were called off because a former dean of Park [Dr. Walter Frederic Sanders, Dean Emeritus] died yesterday. Dag Hammarskjold, UN Secretary-General was killed in an African plane crash. I gave an introductory speech in speech class. French is all oral for the first two weeks. Dr. Hampl is a lot different than Mrs. Frazier [high school French teacher].

A Date for Frosh Court - Sunday, September 17, 1961

I just finished reading the first two books of Ovid's Metamorphoses. If only I hadn't had to read so fast I would have had it down pat. At least I didn't get completely lost. I never saw a faster afternoon. I was just leisurely reading from my speech book and it was gone. I also outlined my biology and got my notebook in order in time for note taking, thank heavens. We didn't have to go to chapel till 11:00, so that meant a little more sleep. This evening several of us hiked to Alfalfa Point. It's a magnificent view. I asked Gordon Edwards, the guy who led the vespers, to be my date for Frosh Court.

The Social Clubs Choose Their New Pledges - Saturday, September 16, 1961

I'm a member of the LECs ! It was really quite thrilling to hear the runners come through the dorm yelling for their new pledges. We went on a snake dance around campus and down to Parkville's Main Street. We had individual club picnics. The LECs went out to a farm house. The freshmen had to divide into skit groups. Ours used my Art Linkletter suggestion! Viv, Janet, Judy, Nancy and several other good friends all got in LECs. We made our choices this morning. There was an all-school party tonight. A bunch of us (I was with Bob Grey) had a riot in Hawley lounge. Dale Cunningham sold me all of his paper back world lit books for $2.75!

College Classes Sound Enjoyable - Friday, September 15, 1961

College classes began today. I had four: French, biology, world literature and speech. We took a placement test in French. Biology will be big for the lecture sessions with smaller labs, lecture-demonstrations and discussion groups. World lit will involve a lot of reading (Ovid's Metamorphoses first). Speech, which will be mainly oral, will be informal in the Meetin' House. The LECs took us out to the Red Barn Summer Play House that Professor David has north of town.

We Register for Classes and Find Books - Thursday, September 14, 1961

We spent the day registering and running down second hand books. I'm pleased with my first semester schedule: French, biology, world literature, introduction to visual arts, speech and phys ed (speedball and basketball). It's a 17-hour load. I only hope I can manage. I came to Park with the  understanding that it was required to have a campus job. Since it isn't for the first time in its history this year, I haven't one as yet. I was able to get second hand French and biology books. Tonight's event was ACCs sponsored sports in the gym. These whizzing days. Viv and I investigated the town of Parkville this afternoon.

We Buy Bedspreads in Kansas City - Wednesday, September 13, 1961

This morning most of the Park College freshmen trooped through the streets of Kansas City in the rain buying bedspreads, drapes and umbrellas. I guess we're getting the effects of Hurricane Carla as it has been cold and rainy (55 degrees this morning in Kansas City and water from the Missouri up to Hwy 9 [It later became Hwy 45.] Viv and I bought Martha Washington white bedspreads for $7.77 each. We're going to get our drapes and rug later. I don't have to take freshman English (among 35 who don't!) but will have to have a semester of speech. We had reading and IQ tests after dinner. The LLC party was tonight.

The PCCs Give A Roman Party - Tuesday, September 12, 1961

Tonight the PCCs gave a Roman party with the theme "Rome can be built in a day." We ate supper sitting on the floor and the waitresses wore long robes made out of white sheets. It was real nice. Gee, today we were all scheduled to take ACT tests. However, they didn't have enough test books so those who had already taken it didn't have to take it again. I spent the morning typing a research paper for Viv. This afternoon we had a meeting concerning student government, activities, music, and physical education, and we took a tour of the home economics department. 

Park is a Wonderful College - Monday, September 11, 1961

It's marvelous what all can happen in such a short while. The only thing is a lack of sleep - as a bother. I'm convinced that Park is wonderful. Everyone is so very friendly. Shyness is getting to be a thing of the past. Today we had an orientation session - a philosophy professor and deans spoke, we took an English essay test, ACE math and verbals, and gave two-minute impromptu speeches (chose our own subject - I talked about our farm). Tonight the OACs gave the first banquet, skit, and dance of rush week.  

Park Days and Nights Are Underway - Sunday, September 10, 1961

We got to Hawley about 9:30 to unload my stuff. We went out for dinner in  Kansas City, Kansas after looking over the campus. Viviennne is so nice. She got here about 4:00. We really have a beautiful dorm and room and everyone seems so nice. We had supper with our advisors (Vivienne and I have the same one - Dr. Hampl - French), vespers, introductions to faculty meeting, and a mixer tonight. Viv and I got acquainted with an African boy from Kenya who's a freshman at Park. I've got to get to sleep or I'll never make it through the week.

We See Park College for the First Time - Saturday, September 9, 1961

Park College really looks nice! On top of that, the family who is next to us in our motel tonight has a girl who will be a freshman at Park! I invited her (Judy Percival from St. Louis) over to watch the Miss America pageant tonight. Miss North Carolina won. We left home at 9:30 this morning and got to Kansas City around 4:30. We drove downtown to take a look at the city after we got our motel. My purse from Lana Lobell came in this morning's mail. We had quite a time squeezing my stuff in the car and ended up putting my trunk in the back seat.

Set to Depart for Park College - Friday, September 8, 1961

I'm set to depart! We hope we can get all my stuff into the car without having to leave anyone behind! Phyllis, Mom and I went in to do the wash after school. Peters were in there. Grandma came to say goodbye this afternoon. I spent the afternoon packing and I think my trunk and suitcases are shut for the last time. There was a varsity-alumni football game tonight but it's a good thing we didn't try to go since I was still rounding things up. Maybe I haven't left my room in apple pie order for Phyl, but it looks pretty vacated.

Cleaning House and Doing More Packing - Thursday, September 7, 1961

I spent the afternoon cleaning house. I put the vacuum cleaner away just as they got home. I haven't done my share of house cleaning like Virginia does. I now have most of the stuff I'm leaving here packed into boxes so Phyllis can move into my room. I did chores by myself tonight. Phyllis went to a sack supper FHA meeting. I wonder if I'll forget anything on Saturday. I got another letter from my "Big Sister." Time has really flown these last few weeks.

$25 More Spent on College Purchases - Wednesday, September 6, 1961

I went to town this afternoon and got my driver's license renewed a month early. I took $25 and came home "broke." I'm costing too much to go to college. I got a rust suede cloth jacket that reminds me of one Mom had at Berea [the college in Berea, KY that she and my father graduated from in 1941], two brown towels to have extra, rollers, bobby pins and hair net, etc., and some cologne. I (with Mom's help) altered my magenta dress. The blisters that were on my arm yesterday are going down. I must have gotten them from poison ivy, oak or sumac while I was mowing grass. We're in a 40-mile-wide "sonic boom corridor" from St. Louis to Minneapolis. We've had two since Friday.

Beginning to Pack for Park - Tuesday, September 5, 1961

I began packing but I filled the trunk with just incidental stuff, so I'm going to put most of that in a box. I guess I don't know how to pack yet. I just happened to be leafing through a notebook and I discovered my "diary" for the first six days of this year. My dress from Lana Lobell came. It's real cute in the new magenta color but will need some adjusting since 13 was the smallest size they had. I sewed my blue nylon dress back together after taking the net off and shortened my half slip.

Still More Mending, Sewing and Hemming - Monday, September 4, 1961

We all seem to get more done on a day like Labor Day than on a regular vacation day. It didn't seem like Monday though. I did a little mending, sewed my coat buttons on firmer, hemmed a skirt (a new one - a black one like the green one of Mom's I got last spring) and a dress. Phyllis and I got most of the grass mowed this evening. I should finish my clothes repair tomorrow and then I've got to pack.

Catching Fish in Cuddebacks' Farm Pond - Sunday, September 3, 1961

Cuddebacks, Grandma and Grandpa, Rikki and Sonja were here for dinner. This afternoon Jim, Larry, Phyllis and I went down to the pond at their other place to go fishing. Larry caught a good sized fish that he gave to us. I finally caught a fish - two in fact. Phyl caught two and Jim one. We threw ours back in. Boy, did it ever get cold. Again, fall has returned like a blast. Our next summer weather should be Indian Summer.

A Roommate Card for Vivienne - Saturday, September 2, 1961

We went to town this morning to wash, and Mom and Ann had dentist appointments. I found a cute card at the bookstore that I got and sent to Vivienne. It said: "You may think it's tough having to be my roommate" (and on the inside) "but think of me having to live with me all my life." I also got some stationery, cosmetics, and Gone With the Wind and 1984 in paperback. This afternoon we cleaned house for the family dinner we're having tomorrow and Mom gave me a permanent that should do till Christmas vacation.

An Old Gang Gab Fest - Friday, September 1, 1961

The party tonight at Helen's house was a real good old gang gab fest. Those present were Helen, Mary Ellen, Linda Scott, Linda Severt, Judy Johnson, Shirley Bush, Ronna, Billie, Elizabeth, Phyllis and I. We invited Lee in for a few minutes when he came for Judy. He said, "This isn't the kind of party boys have. We don't sit around in circles." I finished my skirt but it could stand some rejuvenating. Well, I've got the hem to do yet. A sonic boom and a huge crash of thunder were enough noises for one day.