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Kansas City, Missouri, Alexandria, Virginia, United States
~ About: A 1961-65 Park College Diary ~ As a high school girl and then a college coed in the first half of the 1960s, I wrote nightly entries on the pages of one-year diaries. In January 2010 I began transcribing the entries into a blog and gave each one a title. I grew up on three farms within 30 miles of Iowa City and the University of Iowa with its Iowa Writers' Workshop. As the oldest of four daughters, in my diaries I sometimes referred to my sisters as "the kids" or "the girls." We helped our parents, but we also had good, wholesome fun - a characteristic I took with me to Park. Park is 300 miles southwest of West Chester, Iowa, in Parkville, Missouri, on the Missouri River 10 miles northwest of Kansas City, Missouri, and across the river from Kansas City, Kansas. In 2000 Park College became Park University. Today Park's flagship campus is in Parkville and there are an additional 41 campus centers across the nation. Park was one of the first educational institutions in the United States to offer online learning. My last post was on May 22, 2018. I may be followed on Twitter @BarbaraMcDWhitt.

Some of Us Went Trick or Treating - Tuesday, October 31, 1961

I was going to read art instead of going to the Halloween horror show. However, I spent so much more time on our trick or treat bit than I planned that I probably might as well have gone ahead and gone. As a group some of us Hawley girls dressed up and went to Copley to trick or treat. Then several of us went to President Morrill's house, Dean White's, Stephens (no answers at those two) and Herr House. It was a riot, all dressed up as if we were grade school kids. I have about this many pages in thickness (-----) of art to read by Thursday.

Russia Tested a 50 Megaton Nuclear Bomb - Monday, October 30, 1961

I spent the afternoon in the library trying to read and keep awake. The latter made concentrating on The Iliad rather difficult and I'm ten chapters or so behind! I guess I'll go to bed for tonight although I don't feel too tired right now. Russia has set off its 27th nuclear test since its resumption of nuclear testing this summer. And this one was thought to have been 50 megatons - 2,500 times as powerful as those of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I got the nicest letter from Norma. It was so nice of her to write. We have started the reproduction unit in bio. We started turning flips on the trampoline.

Fourth Floor Girls Give a Chinese Party - Sunday, October 29, 1961

I didn't spend this weekend studying - and I should have. Fourth floor gave second and third a Chinese party tonight. Tonight I saw my fifth movie of the weekend - "Sons and Lovers." It wasn't as good as I expected. Boy, am I tired. I'm going to sleep in Regina and Terry's room again like I did last night. Last night Terry and I were the "night owls." Tonight Regina and Viv are. Must sleep.

Park Beats Emporia in Tournament - Saturday, October 28, 1961

Tonight Judy Birenbaum wanted me to go along to keep Ed Evertsen, the driver, company while she went to the drive-in with Mike Capuzzi. The drive-in was over in Riverside and there were three horror shows. We came back at 11:30 only to find that hours had been extended to 1:00, so went back to see the end of the show. Park beat Emporia this afternoon in a thrilling soccer game. Emporia had beat Tabor. This was part of a four-game invitational tournament. Maybe Park has a chance to go to the national soccer tournament in Pennsylvania.

Running Stocking-Footed in the Rain - Friday, October 27, 1961

We just had a "this is a very serious floor meeting" that turned out to be cookies Merry Lee and Karen had made us. Teresa, Barb and I went to the show, "One-Eyed Jacks" tonight. It was pouring rain when we got out. Rather than "ruin" my good flats, I took them off and ran all the way back stocking footed in the cold water. I hope I don't die of pneumonia. Teresa and I explored the woods up here on the hill this afternoon and brought back things for winter bouquets. Vivien's and mine looks nice against the brown wall on the top shelf. I got up at 6:30 to study bio. I think I passed the test.

A Care Package is Liked by Others - Thursday, October 26, 1961

Vivien and I are about ready to settle down to a big first six-weeks biology test review for tomorrow. I got a care package from home: orange gum drop and peanut cookies, caramel candy, shoestring potatoes, peanuts, gum and a little plastic jack-o-lantern with three suckers. The girls on the floor like our family favorites - the orange slice and the caramel. This morning we had an all-campus picture taken during assembly on the chapel lawn. That ought to be quite a picture. I shouldn't be neglecting world lit and art but I'm too tired to do them, too. We were awakened at 2:45 this morning by a false phone call - our restroom mirrors and john seats were missing this morning!

Copley is Retaliating with Another Prank - Wednesday, October 25, 1961

I was awakened this morning at 5:30 and went out to see a headless pigeon hanging in the hall above a red stained paper. A sign on the wall had the pigeon's head and the words, "This was an angel from Paradise." It seems that several girls from our floor stole Copley's coat-of-arms and they were retaliating. Mom wrote that I can go to see Pat and Delbert at Thanksgiving. She also said that they are going to have me get one of the flu shots that Park is providing. Lake Darling sprung a leak. Tonight we elected dorm officers - Liz Ralston, president; Ann DuBois, vice president (we just put her in the shower); and Kathy Gillespie, secretary-treasurer. 

Others Thought Meteorite Speech was Good - Tuesday, October 24, 1961

This is getting comical! Karen Bentson is in our room tonight and Terry Seelye was in here last night. Why? Because Vivien keeps finding someone who would rather sleep than study - so they trade places. We got our proofs back. I think I'll use the side view. The others have sort of funny expressions. The French records came today. They were $9.50 rather than $7.00 - so that means $4.75. I'll probably buy the other half from Barb at the end of the year. I'm floored! They thought my speech on the meteorite was very good, perhaps "too well prepared" - and I didn't even begin it till last night!

Preparing for Another Speech - Monday, October 23, 1961

This afternoon I looked up some books in the library to find a picture resembling our meteorite. I really found some interesting books on the subject, and I saw several titles on life on other planets. I hope my speech will suffice but if we're not supposed to memorize them I can hardly see how we can "practice!" Dr. Hampl gave us an impromptu French quiz. I figured she would but I hadn't studied quite hard enough and missed a few. Some had blank or nearly blank papers though. We've sure been having some beautiful fall days. I suppose one of these days the snow will fly.

52 New Members Join the Campus Church - Sunday, October 22, 1961

We got Kay off this afternoon. I'm glad she didn't try to go on the 9:15 train. I joined the campus church this morning. There were 52 new members. Vivien's name wasn't called. I don't think she got her questionnaire in on time. Mr. and Mrs. Nix left at noon and most of the other parents, girl friends and boy friends have gone. We went to the chamber orchestra concert in Alumni Hall this afternoon. It was so interesting to see an orchestra in person. The bonfire and club sing were called off because of the wind. I'm back to the homework grind.

Another Busy Harvest Festival Day and Night - Saturday, October 21, 1961

The LEC float got third place. I do believe our senior class float was better than the first place float. Jay Pooley dreamed the idea for the winning LLC float - "Gone with the Wind". Tabor beat us 2-0 in soccer. It is an interesting, active game. Kay has to go home on the train tomorrow and I can't get the college operator or figure out the timetable to see what time she'll have to leave. Hope she and Beth Purdy don't miss the train! Vivien's folks got here at lunch time. I played the role of "mother" tonight zipping formals, lending items, getting corsages, etc. I should study but I think I'll get to sleep before the gang gets in.

A Bright But Exhausting Harvest Festival Day - Friday, October 20, 1961

This has been a bright but exhausting Harvest Festival day. This morning I got up and got the room ready for Kay. She got here about 10:30 (came on a private plane from Omaha). She's 16 and real nice. This afternoon we saw part of the pep rally, cross country, went to the dedication of Dearing Hall, and tonight we saw the Park Singers and the pageant depicting the life of Col. George S. Park and the founding of Parkville and the college. Margie and I spent about 20 minutes stuffing napkins on the LEC float. Quite a contrast to last year but it sure reminded me of it.

Harvest Festival is Underway - Thursday, October 19, 1961

Vivien is in the infirmary because of her sinuses. I didn't even know she was up there until after dinner. I went up to see her after biology. She thinks she can come home in the morning. It is going to be a picnic sleeping a little later since there are no classes tomorrow. I got some real good colored pictures today if I just didn't move my camera. Tonight the band gave a real good concert along with the king and queen crowning - Paul Thackaberry and Carolyn DeFriend. Jay Pooley's sister is coming to visit him for Harvest Festival. She is going to stay in this room and Vivien will go up to stay with Gloria Brown.

Turned Down a Date With Naaman - Wednesday, October 18, 1961

I have just spent the last of the money (70 cents) Mom and Dad originally gave me when I came to Park for pizza. Now I'll have to cash the check they sent me. I'm going to pass my art test tomorrow if it kills me and food will help hunger. I made a trip to Parkville this afternoon to get some distilled water for my steam iron, some sandpaper, and to inquire about Parkville-Kansas City Trailways bus trips. I hope nobody thought my jug had gin in it! Naaman from Kenya asked me, "Would you take me to the arrangement for Saturday night?" (Harvest Festival dance) but I told him I couldn't go. Some of the girls think I should have gone with him, but I was feeling shy since I've never gone on a formal date.

Lab Animals Died and Need to be Replaced - Tuesday, October 17, 1961

Janet and Carolyn are in the process of papering over Judy's door since Judy originally took Janet's clothes while she was in the shower. We couldn't have lab today because all the little animals died. Dr. Hamilton made a long distance call to North Carolina to have them air mail some more by Thursday. I went over to work out on the trampoline and got my confidence back on the front drop but still need to relearn the back drop. Gee, I got one of the four highest grades in the class on my speech. It's promising but I've got to keep working, working, working at my 17 hours!

About Killed on Trampoline Test - Monday, October 16, 1961

I spent the afternoon in the library reading The Iliad and doing French. Boy, did I ever mess up on my trampoline practical test. Not only did I about kill myself doing the back drop, I couldn't even go down for the front. She said not to worry about it though. I got a letter from Esteps. I wrote to Patty and Delbert telling them I plan to visit them at Thanksgiving time. We had an LEC meeting tonight. When I hear them go through all their planning for the Harvest Festival float it reminds me of our senior float a year ago. Since they decided to have Friday and Saturday off for Harvest Festival, Christmas vacation doesn't begin till the 15th rather than the 13th.

A House Meeting of a Serious Nature - Sunday, October 15, 1961

Tonight we had a house meeting of the serious nature that money has been taken in Hawley. Whoever took it is to return it to Mom Hawkins before tomorrow night. Vivien, Janet, Margie and I made pizzas tonight. We had a half of one apiece. I didn't get much studying done again this weekend. I could kick myself. I took two more colored pictures this morning going to and from chapel. There was a jazz concert this afternoon but I didn't go. I guess Johnny Desmond from the national Glenn Miller TV show was there.

Will Work on Articulation and Projection - Saturday, October 14, 1961

This morning I had speech class and was able to hear my criticisms. They were pretty favorable. I need to work on articulation and projection. I'll concentrate on that when I give my next one, a narrative, which should take less thought on subject matter. I got a B- on my speech. Margie and I explored the woods over by Woodward after taking a notebook over there. We found a little unoccupied house after choosing a "two roads diverged in a yellow wood" path. Patty sent me a care package - fudge and peanut brittle. I got to reconsidering going down there at Thanksgiving. It really would be pretty easy. I could go from 4:15 to 7:45 in the evening by bus and there's no biology test that week.

A Reception at the White House - Friday, October 13, 1961

Tonight we met the president and the faculty and their wives at the White House [the president's home]. President Morrill said some other McDowells had gone through Park College. The seniors also had a reception and dance for the freshmen in Hawley lounge. I had just come up when I had a call to go back down - John Blair wanted to dance with me but other than that it was sort of a waste of time. I hope I can leave well enough alone with him. I think I missed two on the bio test. I washed this afternoon, did French, and got ready for tonight.

Horse Falls on Virginia and Phyllis - Thursday, October 12, 1961

I got a letter from home with school pictures of Mom, Ann and Virginia. I got one from Phyllis a while back. Virginia wrote that she and Phyllis were riding over to sell magazines on Duke and he fell on the road between the two Stouts, pitched them off, and landed on them. They were pretty banged up. I got my pictures back. Three didn't turn out but the ones of Naaman did. I showed them to him at supper and he took the five of them to  see about getting reprints made. Vivien and I spent a quiet, rainy evening at the library. Margie and I visited Nancy Kelley at the infirmary. I gave my speech - haven't heard the criticisms.

World Lit Professor Leads a Folk Sing - Wednesday, October 11, 1961

I have been talking too long when I should have been doing some reading. I guess if I wait till 11:00 to go to bed it will be okay. I'm afraid I will really be swamped in a few weeks. Really I don't see how kids can work through college like so many here do and Mom and Dad did. I guess I worked through high school [helping with chores], so maybe it's fair that I have a break this year in college. I didn't do so well on my world lit test. We had a folk sing in the lounge tonight. Dr. Hilty [my world lit professor] led it. I had my picture taken in Mackay lounge for the yearbook. The photographer really got me into some strange poses.

One of Ten to Get an A on Biology Test - Tuesday, October 10, 1961

I finally got the required Ovid stories re-read. Now if I can just remember a lot of the material. I don't believe I did so well on my art test. There was a -2 point penalty for wrong answers so consequently I left a lot of them blank. I'm proud of myself for the day in biology. I was one of ten that got an A on the last test and I got an S+ on my amoeba lab report. If I'm not tired physically I'm tired of studying! It was sure quiet on the floor all this evening. It rained today so we padded around in umbrellas and raincoats.

Spent the Afternoon at Library - Monday, October 9, 1961

Today I practiced my academic endeavors by spending the entire afternoon at the library reading a biology reserve book, listening to French records, and reading Ovid. I figure I could still spend eight hours on Ovid before the test Wednesday morning. Barbara Page and I are going to buy a set of French records jointly. I have really got to apply myself to my studies, but it should be easier now since everyone else is getting the same idea. Tonight we had the last of the movies on semantics. I spent another hour at the dorm discussion but left early to wash my hair and start studying.

Hearing Religious Views and Reading Ovid - Sunday, October 8, 1961

Today I've been hearing religious views and reading Ovid. Tonight we had a Religion in Life Week discussion in the lounge. Some of us left when they excused those who had to study; then we ended up with our own discussion of reincarnation, etc., out in the hall on the floor. Some of us went to Copley for another fellowship meeting this afternoon. I wrote to Mrs. Cowan and sent her a birthday card, handkerchief and two Park post cards. We had a Copley [a boys' dorm] raid last night and were wakened from sound sleep at 2:00 a.m. for a lounge party. And now Nickel [another boys' dorm] is on the revenge since some of the girls stole Nickel's moose head!

A Surprise Party for Vivien's Birthday - Saturday, October 7, 1961

Janet, Margie, Nancy and I threw a surprise party for Vivien for her birthday tonight. I bought an angel food cake mix and frosting in Parkville. Margie and I baked it this afternoon. Nancy got some orange crepe paper and we made "Happy Birthday" streamers for the room. Vivien thought she was going to be put in a shower when Margie announced "We're kidnapping you!" to bring her up from the lounge. We got her a Park charm. This was a pretty fall day. Some of the kids went to Tabor College in Kansas for a soccer game. Park lost 1-0. Some of the kids got all dressed up for the American Royal ball tonight.

A Double Date, a Color Film - Friday, October 6, 1961

Nancy Taylor and Bob Smith and John Blair and I double dated tonight. The show was "The World of Suzie Wong." I think they cut it some - it didn't seem quite like when Mary Ellen and I saw it in Des Moines. John is nice and I felt at ease with him but I could easily get tired of him - I think. I'll probably be too hard to please!?! I spent the afternoon washing, doing French, and putting my color film in and getting the other one sent in. Bravo, I only missed two on the biology test today. I seem to do best when everyone else does their worst.

Friends from Hawaii and Kenya - Thursday, October 5, 1961

This has been a day of variety and I'm also starting to feel like I used to in high school - swamped. Judy Percival and Susan Birrell are the student council nominees. Laila from Hawaii saw her first squirrel today. I took a picture of her looking at it. Naaman from Kenya saw me with my camera after biology and was interested in helping me "finish the roll" (five pictures). That, we did. Then Carolyn drafted Nancy and me to go down to a speedball game so the LECs wouldn't have to forfeit. The LLCs had to, so there wasn't a game, but we had a practice. The Reds and Yanks are tied in World Series play.

Met John Blair Before Our Friday Date - Wednesday, October 4, 1961

I just met John Blair. He seems very nice. I was in my house coat doing French with Barbara Page. Viv came running up to our room and told me to get some clothes on and go down to the lounge to see my date. If Barb hadn't come I probably would have been taking a shower. She, Patti and I went over to the observatory after chapel because the stars were so pretty, but they were having a class. I wrote home and hated to have to say I am almost broke in my letter. I suppose I should have invited them down for Harvest Festival, but I don't think they can take the time to come with corn picking. I thought I couldn't write with black ink but I guess I can.

Student Council Wants Nominees - Tuesday, October 3, 1961

We are in the process of beginning our campaign for nominees for freshman girls student council representative. The second floor thinks they should all come off second rather than some that third and fourth floors have in mind! I feel as if I did better in biology lab today. My other papers were marked satisfactory though. I'm getting behind in my studies and sleep (and letter writing)! Vivien arranged a blind date (John Blair) for me for Friday night. I've started on my speech for Saturday - "Excerpts on Man."

A White Blouse is a Late Graduation Present - Monday, October 2, 1961

Isabelle sent me a beautiful white blouse as a late graduation gift. It's just dressy enough to be right for any occasion. Tonight there was an LEC party in the J.R. but Vivien, Nancy K., and I stayed just long enough for our free Cokes and then came back to study and sleep. This afternoon I made a trip to Parkville to get Mrs. Cowan a handkerchief for her birthday, also an eye dropper and ink to save money on cartridges by filling my own (it's messy, however!). Must get to work and sleep!

Discussed Bringing More Religion to Park - Sunday, October 1, 1961

I didn't realize it is so late (11:00 - could be worse), but I might as well be sleeping rather than goofing off when that's what I feel most like. Carolyn, Nancy and I went to the show, "The High and the Mighty," tonight. It was a good show on human interest about a Hawaii-San Francisco plane that had engine trouble. This afternoon about 30 of us, including four campus church board sophomores, met in Copley lounge for an hour and a half discussing how we could bring more religion to Park. It should be interesting to be in such a group with my present limited background.