About the diary writer

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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.

Will Each Work 20 Hours a Week - Wednesday, April 29, 1964

One thing about not working in the morning has to stop - I can't just lie in bed every morning the way I did today. This was a cold day for going around to the stores for news. I've certainly done it in all kinds of weather. Mrs. Luckenbill left word that I should work on Saturday mornings, so I called her about it. We decided that this way they'll be getting 20 hours from each of us and I won't have to stay clear till 5:00 in the afternoons. I'll also miss my chance to look around the stores at noon.

Being at the Journal was Like Old Times - Tuesday, April 28, 1964

Nothing like starting a part-time job on a full-time basis. I worked all day for Mrs. Luckenbill since she had to go to a funeral today. It was just like old times. The only things I had forgotten were the counts for headlines and how to call out from my phone. I made the rounds for local news items but didn't quite get everywhere before press time. It was surprising how many of the clerks remembered who I was. We took up just as we left off last summer. I'm afraid I'm going to miss working all the time. Phyllis and I went to the Methodist Church tonight to hear the Morrell Singers.

Will Work Afternoons at the Journal Office - Monday, April 27, 1964

Phyllis and I went in to town after dinner. She went in to talk at the United Presbyterian Home about working there this summer. At the Journal we agreed that I would work afternoons and Mrs. Luckenbill mornings. However, I'm going to take her place all day tomorrow since she is going to a funeral. I looked at dresses some and tried on two sizes of one I liked in Wards but neither was quite right. Mom let me deposit $450 of her latest check in my account. She decided to apply money that way toward Phyl's and my tuition. I mowed some grass.

West Chester Switched to Daylight Time Today - Sunday, April 26, 1964

Most of Iowa switched to daylight time today and for once West Chester did, too. Rev. Martin and his family from Des Moines were at church so he could talk about the camping program. They've been here before. Margaret Smith and her niece Jeannie came to see Virginia, and since Rev. Peters had church on standard time, we hadn't eaten when they came, so we didn't have dinner until almost 3:00. I haven't done much today except read magazines and "pester" my sisters.

Am Back in Iowa for the Summer - Saturday, April 25, 1964

Home again. Mom and Phyl came down to get me. They started yesterday after school and had just driven in at 8:00 this morning when I was on my way to breakfast. So for the second year in a row they got here before I was ready to go. But we finally got everything packed and stored and the dorm ready to leave. The latter I'm afraid was done hurriedly. We got home at 6:30, after leaving campus a little after 11:00 and stopping a few minutes at Gattons. Virginia and Phyllis are doing fine now after their accident.

Went With Some Other Students to the River - Friday, April 24, 1964

What started as Armando's invitation at supper to go with a group "down to the river" tonight turned out to be a trip to the river over by Waldron. Some of the foreign students went. When we got ready to come back, Bob Kendrick's car wouldn't start. So we had to wait till Gonzalez got back from taking Paula and Jean home because of their 1:00 hours. Then he pushed us and got us started. After all my efforts, I got a B+ in children's lit. I missed an A on the final by two points, and I bet that's what did it. I spent the day packing - mostly Stephens dishes.

Got a D for the Course in Algebra - Thursday, April 23, 1964

It's all over, but as of 4:00 this afternoon I feel as if I've been had. In spite of all my efforts in algebra, I got a D for the course. I was there when Miss Konkle was figuring up the grades. She sure gave enough D's and F's. That sure wrecks havoc with my otherwise beautiful record this trimester. I even got a B- in geography. I didn't like the 50 points on the children's lit test, but I thought the government test was okay. Oh, that algebra bit slays me - I certainly worked hard enough. I've been getting my things packed.

Forgot to Answer Geography Test's Part III - Wednesday, April 22, 1964

Last night as I was reading back over my geography test, I made the discovery that I had forgotten to answer Part III - 10 percent for supporting the inclusion of a geography course in a liberal arts education. I stopped in to see Mr. Reynolds and he let me write on it for ten minutes - as a partial credit compromise in case it makes any difference on my final grade. After talking with Mr. Gault and Mr. Hougland, it doesn't even look as if we can have our own phone in Stephens - due to lack of available extensions. Becky brought over the tennis racket and balls I won for selling the most chocolate bars. There were tornado alerts here tonight.

Did Well on Arithmetic, Geography Tests - Tuesday, April 21, 1964

I feel quite confident that I did the best possible on the arithmetic and geography tests. I should be assured of at least a B for each course. This afternoon I brought my suitcases and trunks down from the attic and went down to Parkville to get some boxes so I could get started packing. After supper Evelyn went with me down to the laundromat to dry clean my winter clothes. The first load took 45 minutes, but it got stuck on the second load and went for two hours. On our way down, the fire whistle blew when we were across from the fire station and then Jim appeared out of nowhere. He had been getting advertising in one of the stores.

Book Reviews Impressed Mrs. Gehrenbeck - Monday, April 20, 1964

Now I'm studying for the arithmetic test. I'm getting drowsy though. I didn't do too well on the algebra final, but then I don't think anyone else did either. I only hope I have enough total points for a C for the course. Mr. Carey gave us an A- on our project. Mrs. Steelman, Evelyn and I were the only three left to discuss it for our oral final. I got my book reviews back from Mrs. Gehrenbeck. I guess she was impressed. She also said my oral report was superior and gave me a C+ on my book. This afternoon I arranged to have Nancy's two trunks taken to the Parkville depot and went down to take out insurance on them.

Baccalaureate and Commencement Were Today - Sunday, April 19, 1964

That was a fast hour I spent doing things away from my algebra book. Now I'd better get back to it and stick to it. I hope for some sort of miracle on tomorrow's test. Baccalaureate and commencement were today. Both were impressive. I'm glad I was able to see one Park College commencement before my own. It certainly will mean a lot to graduate from a small college. It seems so strange with most of the senior girls moved out of the dorm. But we junior girls are enjoying ourselves at the same time. Well, here comes my sixth finals week.

Parents Are Here for Commencement - Saturday, April 18, 1964

I've been reading Barbara Ward's The Rich Nations and the Poor Nations almost all day and I still have ten pages to go. I had intended to finish it this morning and do algebra this afternoon. I've been trying to repress all thoughts about the latter. All of the seniors are packed and ready to move out, and their parents are here for commencement. This morning I took Patsy Michaels, who will be a freshman in the fall, to Mackay and Hawley. She stayed last night in Stephens guest room. I also helped the Browns - he's here for an honorary degree - get settled. We talked about the old Park College.

May Work in Education Department Next Year - Friday, April 17, 1964

I worked tonight, and then, for the cause of small dorms, went to Hawley to collect signatures. The nine we have on ours look rather poor compared to the 207 Chestnut has collected. Oh well, just so they sign one of them. A note from the president and deans today stating our requests they would grant us excluded our own phone, but we think we can get one. I got up at 5:00 and worked every spare minute to finish my book reviews by 1:00. I got a C+ on the last geography test and a B on my government paper. Dean Pai approached me briefly about the possibility of working next year as an education department assistant.

Met with Three Men About Small Dorms - Thursday, April 16, 1964

Dave Mogle, the new president of Chestnut, and Lu Bates came up tonight to discuss the problems the small dorms are having. Then Dave and I went down to Nickel, and he, Glenn Petrie and I came up with a neat proposition. However, I think we've already hit a snag in that Chestnut may not be seen as a small dorm. At least it took my mind off the algebra I can't do. I'd like to try to finish my children's book reviews by tomorrow's class time. Nancy and I walked down to the river this afternoon. It's really muddy. I typed the health center reports.

Letter to the Deans Was to No Avail - Wednesday, April 15, 1964

It looks as if three of my four years at Park will have been spent in Hawley. I wrote a letter to the deans yesterday with two proposals in lieu of moving the Stephens women, but the letter I received this evening makes it seem as if it was to no avail. I've been struggling with algebra - so glad it's almost over. I was the only one who went to the algebra review session again. After Gary helped me, logarithms seemed a little easier, but not much. I give up on what we were supposed to read ahead on. Dr. Neighbor had the education majors tell how we would promote what we have learned in American government to our class. Evelyn is babysitting for Griswolds.

Outstanding Parkites and Professor Announced - Tuesday, April 14, 1964

The student council met at 7:30 after the junior-senior steak dinner at 6:30. It was a good meal - too bad Commons food can't taste like that all the time. At the awards ceremony this morning Cheryl Wiley and John Garrett were named Outstanding Parkites and Dr. Schurr Outstanding Professor. There seemed to be a good distribution of awards this year. I went up to work this afternoon, the first time in ages that Mrs. Flaherty had me go up. I got up at 6:00 to do two algebra problems - and then we didn't have to hand those two in. I gave my closet a long overdue cleaning this afternoon.

Received an A- On Geography Paper - Monday, April 13, 1964

It's algebra again. After this morning's class I thought it might be a little easier again. The SNEA members went to the Carey's for a picnic this evening. The Gehrenbecks, Chronisters and Dr. Pai were there. We all had a lot of fun. We gave Mr. Carey and Mrs. Gehrenbeck sets of eight glasses. Evelyn and I went down to Parkville this morning and bought them. The Academy Awards are being presented tonight, but I don't know who's winning what. As far as I can ascertain from the Journal, Virginia still hasn't gone home from the hospital. I got an A- on my geography paper for Mr. Reynolds. I've heard that it's almost impossible to get an A from him on a paper.

Seniors Are Done with Their Studies at Park - Sunday, April 12, 1964

The seniors are done since their grades have to be in tomorrow. We juniors are from finished - although I've been doing a good job of avoiding homework this weekend. This afternoon I went with Vivien to Jan Kendall's apartment in North Kansas City for a shower for Carolyn Brown and Karen Lewis. Vivien had Charlie come and get me at 12:30 to help her finish baking sugar cookies. There were tornado warnings out and several seen in this vicinity this evening. We had a student council meeting.

Sold LLC Chocolate Bars, Went on OAC Hayride - Saturday, April 11, 1964

Today was devoted t the LLCs and their activities. I bet I've sold enough chocolate bars to win the tennis racket being given away to the person who sells the most, but I haven't kept that close track of how many I've sold. I think I sold about 68 today - Parkville and Mackay this morning, United Super store this afternoon. I'm afraid we're not going to get all 1,200 sold though. Tonight some of the LLCs went with the OACs to Mark Fisher's farm for a hayride. Some of us rode the 15 miles to the farm in the Park College truck. We ran out of gas on the way back and Hans, Bob and Wayne had to go to a farmhouse for gas.

A Book About Spills for Children's Literature - Friday, April 10, 1964

Evelyn and I went to the movie, "El Cid." I didn't think it was very good for all it was made out to be. This afternoon there was a shower for Shirley at the Park House. It was a nice place to have a shower. Evelyn, Nancy and I gave her a CorningWare casserole. Then Nancy and I went down to Parkville and got Karen Lewis a chip 'n dip and salad bowl set for her shower. Algebra's about to get me down. I had fits over this morning's quiz - I couldn't work all the problems. Mrs. Gehrenbeck liked my story about Spills. The rest of the class did, too. Mom does, too, from what I wrote about it. I think I should try to have it published.

Talked With Dean Gibson and Dean Pai - Thursday, April 9, 1964

I've devoted so much time to algebra now and still can't do it, so I don't think it would pay to get up early. I'll just hand it in late to Gary since he's good about taking late homework. Nancy and I went over to Herr House at 11:00 to give Margie a party for her birthday, along with Beth, Roberta and Kathy. Judy Cox was in on it, too, but couldn't go. Evelyn said Fred was elected to Nickel. That does about the most of anything to make me reconsider whether it was a mistake to give him up - but I'm sure it's best. I must be after "prestige." I had a 45 minute talk with Dean Gibson and Dean Pai about WJC and then we talked about retaining Stephens.

Was Elected Stephens President for Next Year - Wednesday, April 8, 1964

In the election of Stephens officers tonight, I was elected president of the dorm for next year. It is a tremendous honor and responsibility, and I hope I will be a good president. The other officers are Rosemary Kellner, vice president; Babs Ford, secretary; Leslie Innes, treasurer; Jean Burright and Carol Sapilek, interdorm council. We also chose rooms we wanted in case we get to keep the dormitory - Evelyn and I chose Diane's. I went over to the algebra review tonight - I was the only one, so Gary helped me with tomorrow's homework. I know a little more about the car accident after receiving letters from Mom and Phyl.

Ten Women Accepted Stephens Membership - Tuesday, April 7, 1964

We had a fairly successful student council meeting tonight. I at least had my say this time, as I did Sunday night. If all goes according to council suggestion, we will have our two days of classes off at Thanksgiving next year. Our group in organization and administration is working to finish our proposals for our school district project. We juniors have been listening to all the seniors' experiences with oral comps. They sound sort of fun. Kathy Amayo, Sara Moore, Pat Thompson, Bev Reece, Carol Sapilek, Jean Burright, Leslie Innes, Nancy Rohlfing, Winnie Flemming, and Kathy Fitzpatrick accepted Stephens membership.

Gave Most of Report on Facing Mt Kenya - Monday, April 6, 1964

We had a WJC meeting this evening about another library case. Dean Gibson seems to be overstepping judicial council jurisdiction since she already has her mind made up that there will be a penalty in all five cases of having to work 12 hours at the library. An election of junior class officers was being held today. I shouldn't be like this, but I felt rather slighted not being a candidate for anything. I gave most of my oral report on Facing Mt Kenya today in geography class. I'll have to give my conclusion on Wednesday. I went to an algebra review session. We have another test tomorrow.

Voted in New Members of Stephens Tonight - Sunday, April 5, 1964

It's awful that I should be acting in ways more immature about the Stephens move than I did about the Hawley move. We voted in new members tonight but I haven't heard the results yet. I think a combination of factors have been acting to make me jumpy. My pent-up steam needs an escape valve. I went to the choir concert this afternoon. After all our efforts, Mr. Larson forgot to have them stay for yearbook pictures. (Just got back from Karen's phone call about the matter.) I went to Sunday evening forum - a man from India on a march for peace spoke. We had a student council meeting with the new goon squad. Stephens served Woodward the breakfast they bought at the WUS auction - pancakes in the Meetin' House.

Fred Was at a Herr House Party - Saturday, April 4, 1964

I went with Judy and Bonnie to the play "Picnic" tonight. It was okay, but I've seen better plays at Park College. I've seen the movie so was familiar with the story. Then I went to the party at Herr House and had a good time with some of the freshman boys. Fred was there having a good time with Kathy Olson. He's still been smoking a lot. This was a cold rainy day. I made several attempts at homework but didn't accomplish much. Nancy and I took a walk through Parkville in the rain this afternoon. The Parkville librarian let me have the copy of the paper with the student council picture in it.

Saw the President About Staying in Stephens - Friday, April 3, 1964

Diane, Karen, Barb, Liz, Terry, Rosemary, Evelyn and I went in to talk to the president this afternoon. He's almost sure we'll have to move out of Stephens next year. It's all because this college has been taking in all these male students from eastern college admissions centers. Some of us have been through having to leave a dorm once before. We've now decided that since our number will be reduced next year anyway, we'd like to live in "His House." John Garrett was dismissed from the health center while I was working. No one came to see the doctor.





Stephens May Have Male Students Next Year - Thursday, April 2, 1964

I'm afraid I'm going to have to go through yet another dorm fight during my stay at Park College. It seems that the administration thinks Stephens may have to be occupied by male students next year. "Rise up ye women with arms, the fight has just begun!" I thought I would die this afternoon, yet was thrilled with the composure Babs maintained when she pretended to be Diane after I had taken a call from the president's secretary when they tried to get us to cancel our appointment with him until after we had seen Dean Gibson. Everyone likes my book. Ellen showed it to George and said he just loved it. The algebra test was murder, but at least quite a few thought that. Babs and I made cupcakes for the LLC meeting tonight. I sold 11 chocolate bars to students here for the U. N. Model Assembly during lunch.

Phyllis and Virginia Were in a Car Accident - Wednesday, April 1, 1964

Mom called me about 7:00 this morning from Shenandoah where they went Monday to the hospital after Phyllis and Virginia were hurt in a one-car accident Sunday evening. One of the college guys was driving them to Red Oak so Virginia could take the train home after visiting Phyl over the weekend. They have cuts and bruises but are going to be okay. They took Phyl back to Tarkio today and returned home with Virginia. I guess the college car was totally demolished. I called Phyllis this evening. I have an algebra assignment and test tomorrow. I really don't feel much like studying.

Was Student Council Secretary Tonight - Tuesday, March 31, 1964

Diane had me take her place as student council secretary tonight. I'm glad I don't have that job all the time - it's wearing. We has a long meeting - till 10:00 - selecting the goon squad for next year's "Hell Week." I went down to Parkville this afternoon to get some books at the library. The weather finally got nice and warm again. Terry Seelye is the new ICC chairman. I'm going in circles trying to keep up with things. As an advisory member of the student council, I'm going to have to speak up more. I still like the way you can say what you think at Park College - people may disagree with your idea, but they don't hold it against you personally.