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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.

A Soccer Game at Tarkio - Saturday, November 30, 1963

Well, I got to the game at Tarkio, although until 1:30 I didn't know if I was going to. The cheerleaders were still trying to find a ride when I suggested that Mr. Lippincott might take a car, so Janet Bellamy called him and he did. He and his son, the four cheerleaders and I were Park's only spectators. It was nice to see Phyllis again and her friends, her room and the college. It's a 120 mile drive. She let me bring back this year's Mid-Prairie yearbook. It's real good. Today I studied for Monday's personality test. Evelyn and I went to breakfast with Jim and Fred.

"A Mighty Fortress is Our God" - Friday, November 29, 1963

The movie "Oklahoma!" was real good. I had a nice time with Fred. Mrs. Lippincott was nice about my not having to work tonight. The assistant from DeClouds was here today taking orders for pictures, so I helped from 12:30-2:00. For phys psych we went down to the chapel and listened to overtones on the piano. At the end of the hour Mr. Collier started playing chords and then "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." He must be quite a pianist. I couldn't get it through my head that today was Friday.

A Professor's Thanksgiving Meal - Thursday, November 28, 1963

I still don't know why, but Dr. Gochman called me this evening and had me come over to his apartment at Woodward to help him eat some Thanksgiving turkey, "along with some other students." The group - none of whom I know very well - wasn't exactly my type, but it was a privilege to be invited to a professor's home for Thanksgiving supper. Miss Thomas was there, too. Our Thanksgiving dinner in Commons was real nice, too. I always like to recall past Thanksgivings. I read physiological psychology this morning and did a reading report after dinner. Evelyn and Jim went to Hans' sister's for Thanksgiving.

Parkville and Studies - Wednesday, November 27, 1963

Fred Haenisch called me tonight and wanted to go down to a new establishment that has opened up in Parkville. They were supposed to be serving turkey sandwiches, but after walking up Parkville's main street and back we still couldn't get any, so came back to the J. R. to have refreshments and watch "The Eleventh Hour." He asked me to the show Friday night. Mr. Gibson is giving a make-up test in social problems. Bless his heart, I need it. Phys psych, too - I'm hoping for the best. Statistics is okay - hope personality still is. I must get my theory and technique research unit on the way.

Stephens Open House - Tuesday, November 26, 1963

Stephens open house was tonight. It was really nice, although not too many came. We had it tonight rather than Sunday. Fred Haenisch seems real nice. He and Rick Campbell spent quite a bit of time in our room. We have framed the Stephens composites [photos] of past years and hung them in the hall. Almita Stewart [whose parents influenced mine in their decision to suggest Park for me] is in the 1954-55 one. We got our proofs back. As usual, I can't make up my mind. We had a guest speaker in theory and technique on resource units. I'm going to have trouble keeping my presentation down to the third grade level. What was meant for ninth graders looked like what I might have thought was sixth grade.

President Kennedy is Laid to Rest - Monday, November 25, 1963

I didn't have any classes today. They originally called them off from 10:00-12:00 and then when the ceremonies lasted longer, they called them off for the rest of the day. There was a memorial service here at 10:00 and then a lot of us watched the funeral and procession to the cemetery on a television that was set up in Alumni. The funeral sermon consisted appropriately of quotes from Kennedy's inaugural address and some of his favorite Biblical passages. The flag-draped casket on the horse-drawn caisson as it made its way through Washington was an impressive sight. A contingent of planes flew over the Arlington National Cemetery and a 21-gun salute echoed in the crisp November air above the wooded plot.

Lee Harvey Oswald is Killed - Sunday, November 24, 1963

A complicating factor in the story arose about noon today when Jack Ruby shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald, Kennedy's assassin, as he was being taken from one jail to another. It happened in the basement of the jail - now a different man is in custody. This is morbid. We have continued to watch history in the making. The flag-draped casket was drawn by seven horses from the White House to beneath the Capitol rotunda, accompanied by a muffled drum corps. Mrs.Kennedy and the two children were there. She is certainly maintaining composure. John Jr.'s third birthday is tomorrow and Caroline's sixth is Wednesday. I went riding this afternoon with Nancy, Karen and Bruce. The horses at this stable were really neat.

President Kennedy Will "Belong to the Ages" - Saturday, November 23, 1963

President Kennedy's funeral will be on Monday in Washington. He lay in state at the White House today. The new president has proclaimed Monday as a day of national mourning and public offices will be closed. Classes here have been cancelled from 10:00-12:00, and there weren't any today. The movie was cancelled tonight and we aren't having our open house tomorrow night. Radio and television have carried news almost constantly since yesterday at 12:30 when the shooting occurred. There is irony connected with several instances - Johnson is from Texas and was there when he became president. Also, Lincoln's successor was Johnson. Both Kennedy and Lincoln died in the fight for civil rights. I was reading what the papers of the world had to say. This will undoubtedly make Kennedy "belong to the ages." I studied - first Saturday afternoon this semester.

President Kennedy Was Assassinated - Friday, November 22, 1963

President Kennedy was assassinated today in Dallas. He died at 1:00, less than an hour after Lee Harvey Oswald fired shots at him and the governor of Texas as they and their wives rode a parade route in the presidential limousine. It is so hard to believe that he is dead and that something this awful could actually happen. The governor is in serious condition. They apprehended Oswald almost immediately. He used a telescopic lens on a high powered rifle from the sixth floor of an office building. Johnson was sworn in on the plane flying him, Mrs. Kennedy and the president's body back to Washington. The chapel was full at a meditation service tonight. From 12:30 when we first "heard" and turned the radio on, we have variously shared in this belief.  

Observing Elementary Teachers - Thursday, November 21, 1963

I spent the day observing. Carolyn Reed drove me out and I observed a first grade reading class and then went to a fifth grade class for reading and social studies. Their teacher is in her second year - she really enjoys it. Then Carolyn came out to get me at 2:00 and left me at the Parkville school where I saw another fifth grade. I'm really about sold on the level. My registration appointment was at 4:00. I'll be taking algebra, American national government, teaching of arithmetic, children's literature, organization and management of elementary schools, and geography. Dr. Dunham was at the health center tonight so I went up to work.

The Drive-In Tonight - Wednesday, November 20, 1963

There are no classes tomorrow because of pre-registration, so Chuck Young and Jim took Evelyn and me to the Riverside Drive-In tonight. We got there for the end of "Spencer's Mountain" and all of "Parrish." I always liked that show and was glad to get to see it again. We went to Waid's afterwards. I went in to talk to Mr. Colliver again about physiological psychology. I could cry, cry, cry. I don't know what to do or think and neither does he. Oh, help. This is the worst yet. On top of that we had an unannounced social problems test.

Am Over the Flu - Tuesday, November 19, 1963

What a day. I'm over the flu, but now I've begun to worry about all the work I have to do and the courses I'm in danger of "failing." I went over to Margie's room for an emotional upset, and then when she talked me out of going to statistics class, she came up here and sent Nancy over. Then tonight Judy Cox "talked to me." All of these people are so understanding. One nice thing - Chuck Young called this evening - he wants us to double with Jim and Evelyn tomorrow night. We just had a two hour house meeting. Now the administration is picking on Stephens.  

Was Sick This Evening - Monday, November 18, 1963

I'm mixed up in time. I "slept" from 6:00 to 11:00 this evening after getting sick this evening. It's been coming on all day. I probably should have gone to the health center and postponed the test, but I wasn't sure I was really sick. I had wanted to "get sick" - I guess I did. I was at the health center at 3:30 to get the records and didn't stay then, so I decided not to go back up. I guess the flu has been going around. In studying for and taking the test, I skipped all my other classes today.

"Stephens Gallery" Invitations - Sunday, November 17. 1963

I'm still plugging along with physiological psychology. Maybe by the test tomorrow _____. I got up at 8:00 and helped make "Stephens Gallery" invitations for open house next Sunday night, until time to go to church. I studied in Mackay this afternoon, picked up my sack lunch and helped finish the invitations (except for addressing), and then went to the library. I've been reviewing at the rate of a chapter an hour. Now I have to set my hair, which I just washed.

Hearing the Messiah Choir - Saturday, November 16, 1963

Nancy and I went with Evelyn, her mother and Kathy to the auditorium in Independence to hear the Messiah Choir. The admission was free, it was being recorded for radio, there was a capacity crowd. The performance was tremendous. The Hallelujah Chorus, and everything, were so wonderful. The LLCs went to Benjamin Stables this afternoon to go riding. However, most of the horses were far from worth the $2 an hour we paid to ride. They could hardly walk and were skinny and had sore spots. I think the SPCA should be called. We had fun seeing the Swope Park Zoo and had a picnic there. Nancy and I investigated the Starlight Theatre when we found the front gate unlocked.

Health Center Discussions - Friday, November 15, 1963

I've decided to go to bed now (by 10:00) and get up early to study physiological psychology. Tonight at the health center I discussed personality and other things with Mr. Zaneparelli until Art came,  phys psych then, and when Becky came the conversation turned to statistics. She's the student grader. Little Soc (Rascal Socrates Van Poop - RSVP), our blue gray Stephens house kitty, slept with us last night. He drank the water Evelyn had her clarinet reed soaking in. Now he's up on her desk playing with her flowers. I got a statement of my bank balance today. According to them I've got about $80 more than I thought I had. That's nice, for a change.

"The Writing of a Novel" - Thursday, November 14, 1963

I "helped" Kathy and Tom take the math department picture this afternoon. The three instructors, McDaniel, Konkle and Walker, were enjoyable to work with, even if they disliked our idea of including a big slide rule in the picture. I've been running around tonight - including to Hawley in my night shirt under my coat - with Nancy - but have been reading personality, too. Oh, these courses. Maybe it's not such a good idea to minor in psychology - I'm beginning to "wonder" about myself too much. Mr. Waugh's last lecture was "The Writing of a Novel." I should lecture on "The Writing of a Diary."

"The Woman Novelist" by Alec Waugh - Wednesday, November 13, 1963

Ellen and I waited tables tonight when Mr. Waugh had dinner with the senior seminar. I went to his lecture, "The Woman Novelist." I was walking out of Commons after lunch when Mrs. MaDonald from Iowa City, who was here last spring, appeared and said, "Fancy meeting you here." She and her husband are in Kansas City this week at a medical convention. She had come out to campus to see Mr. Edwards and Mom Hawkins and had stopped in Commons to see if I might happen to be there. We talked over Cokes in the J. R. for 45 minutes. Their son Don decided to go to Cornell College rather than Park. We had a "throw Dave Dorn in the shower" episode up here tonight.  

A Lecture by Alec Waugh - Tuesday, November 12, 1963

Maybe I'm ill or something - the way I'm procrastinating from much needed studying. This college finally got around to issuing mid-term grades. Phyllis had hers two weeks ago. I got an A in social problems, B in statistics, C+ in personality, D in physiological psychology, and S in the two education courses. I went to a lecture by Alec Waugh this evening. He's here for three days. When I become a novelist ______. Another basketball game - OACs. We couldn't even beat them when they only had five players!

The Chimes Are Fixed Again - Monday, November 11, 1963

I've about given up on statistics. We had LLC initiation for new members tonight in Millsap Lounge. It was really nice. I rode over to Alumni in Jack's Floral truck after the lady came to the Meetin' House to deliver the flowers. We were planning to use the Meetin' House, but they needed it for play rehearsal. I was literally saved by the bell this morning from having to give a report on primers in teaching of reading class. Maybe by Wednesday I'll be ready. I've gotten A's on both of the first tests in my two education classes. The chimes are fixed again!

Names for Our Cat - Sunday, November 10, 1963

I'll have to get up at 6:00. It always makes a lot of sense after having a whole weekend in which to do homework. What next up here on the hill? Our sewer is backing up and leaking out onto the basement floor. It's a real mess and, to quote Karen Garner, "smells like a zoo." We just had a "name the cat" session. From the names submitted, we selected three: Socrates, Rascal and The Great Poop. So we are using them all: Socrates Rascal Van Poop, S. R. Van Poop for short. Or possibly, reverse Rascal and Socrates and call him RSVP. Evelyn and I went to Copley's open house. We played the ACCs, then Flo and I refereed the PCC-OAC game.

Evelyn Gave Two Permanents - Saturday, November 9, 1963

I went out to Gattons this afternoon when Margaret, Bobo and Kathy came past for Evelyn. Evelyn gave Margaret and me permanents. She was busy between the two of us. Mine looks really nice. We went to the late show, "The Miracle Worker," after we had supper at Gattons. This morning I addressed and wrote most of the invitations for the LLC initiation and Becky helped me finish up. I went down to Jack's to order candles and flowers. I finally wrote some letters. As for homework - well, I took a day off.

Fritz's and Alfalfa Point - Friday, November 8, 1963

Well, now I've been to Fritz's, a nice delicatessen and bar in Kansas City, Kansas, that Park College students frequent. Eileen Beal, Vivien's friend from Tahlequah, the other bridesmaid, and I were guests of Vivien and Charlie for "my birthday." But I just don't like the taste of beer. Neither does Eileen, so we bought 7-Up after a few swallows. We had delicious ham sandwiches and got to see color TV. Then we came back and drove up to Alfalfa Point. We can't really believe it, but the four of us played tag up there. The Crow's Nest committee looked over the Quonset hut again. George shaved off his second-place beard between the meeting and supper.

Observing Third Graders - Thursday, November 7, 1963

Rats, I'm in a bind - as usual. I don't know how to write my personality paper on the mental health paradox. Here's to getting up early and probably skipping assembly which will be tomorrow rather than today. Evelyn and I went out to Graden School this morning to observe the teaching of reading. I do want to teach third graders. They're so lovable. I showed how to use the overhead and opaque projectors in theory and technique. Jane and George sent me some brownies. We played the PCCs in basketball. I wanted to let the freshmen have a chance to play so only played a quarter.

Birthday Box Came Today - Wednesday, November 6, 1963

My birthday package came today. It was so nice: a shirt and slacks outfit, a night shirt, pull-on denim tennis shoes, slip, hose, necklace and earrings from Virginia and Ann, and lots of food and grocery items. Margie gave me a box of Stephens stationery. My Avon order came so I got the talcum powder I got for Mom for her birthday ready to send. I finished up my slide film taking pictures of the campus and Nancy also took pictures. Well, study, study, study I must, and study, study, study I do (or try to). I think Evelyn and I will have some cheese crackers.

A 21st Birthday Portrait - Tuesday, November 5, 1963

Well, my 21st birthday will be over in five minutes. Pat, Karen, Kelmie and Nancy helped me celebrate after I had come back to the dorm and was met in the lounge with "Happy Birthday!" and then, "you're 21 and you're just standing there?" Well, anyway, it was fun. I spent the morning taking money for Narva pictures. I had a "21st birthday portrait" taken. We had an LLC meeting to plan initiation. Nancy had my name for Stephens birthdays so treated Popsicles after we got back from our little "drive."

Individual Yearbook Picture Taking - Monday, November 4, 1963

We just had a house meeting. I've gotten myself into making invitations for open house. Another obligation made today - refereeing three basketball games with Nancy. She and I went to look at the Danger - Closed broken down Dearing footbridge tonight. We're not trying to flunk out or anything. Mr. Carey showed me how to use the opaque and overhead projectors today. Mr. DeCloud began taking individual Narva pictures - only 60, but 20 ahead of any other first day at Park. Mrs. Nix sent the cranberry velveteen for my bridesmaid's dress. In ten minutes I'll be 21.

Waving at a Train - Sunday, November 3, 1963

Herr House open house was tonight. Their rooms looked so nice. I could hardly recognize Margie's and my old room that Betsy McCoy had painted ivory. I'm afraid Mr. DeCloud will raise Cain when he sees Monday's sign-up sheet for individual pictures - kind of on the slim side. Nancy and I ran down to wave at Phyllis and Joyce when their train came through Parkville at 5:15. We just got there in time. Hope it was their train - it went so fast. Well, since I am on the sleepy side, I guess I'll go to bed and aim for a 5:00 rising.

Phyllis Was Here Today - Saturday, November 2, 1963

Phyllis was here from 1:30 to 6:00 today. Millers brought her over from Independence and came to get her this evening before going to their grandmother's. Phyllis wanted to go along. We had a good visit and she got to meet quite a few of the kids. It really was neat since we've never actually seen each other as "college" students, but during vacations. I spent the evening with George Fiencke. I don't even have all of the health center records typed, let alone schedules for helping with Narva picture taking. The funeral company that we didn't borrow the funeral grass from after all for the float called to tell me Barbara McDowell at Park College had signed the invoice as having taken out three pieces. What next?

Pay Day - $42 - Friday, November 1, 1963

I read physiological psychology and finally finished it just before class. But we didn't have a quiz, thankfully. Several kids have gone home this weekend that Phyllis won't be able to meet. Too bad she couldn't have been here last weekend. I have the health center reports to do now - on Tuesday the month wasn't over yet. I got $42 today - pay day - and put it all on deposit. I'm thankful to have gotten a C on the personality test. I have a C+ mid-term grade.