**nightly entries written by a coming-of-age girl who became a woman from Washington County Iowa**
About the diary writer

- Barbara McDowell Whitt
- 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.
Talked About College Bowl Preparations with Seth - Tuesday, February 2, 1965
Seth Gutman saw me in Mackay on my way back from the library tonight and walked me back to the dorm. I asked him in and we talked for a while. I hope I helped a little to "get his mind off the drudgery part of College Bowl" even though College Bowl was mostly what we talked about. The two teams competed in assembly again. Mr. Wetherill says he's now sure the team will be returning to New York after their first appearance. I got a black dress and kelly green two piece wool outfit that Mom ordered from Penneys. I went down to the English Language Institute this afternoon to get some information for I-20 forms from Dr. Bergman.
Rearranged Education Library Books at Work Today - Monday, February 1, 1965
Well, at least we're still a unified dormitory. It takes a lot of integrity to take a stand yet somehow question personal feelings. I think everything is going to be fine now. I really am sorry so much "turmoil" has occurred during my "administration" - I know how U.S. presidents must feel. It's 11:00 and I'm only just now getting a chance to start studying for a developmental psych test tomorrow. Fortunately Evelyn, Jean and I went over our class notes last night. I spent work time today rearranging education library books.
Stephens Girls are a "Thinking" Group of Individuals - Sunday, January 31, 1965
I'm so proud of the twenty Stephens girls (that includes myself) that I can't see straight. After a long drawn-out week, Dean Miller came up tonight and told the five girls what their "punishment" would be: The car [of one of them] to be taken away, their keys to be taken away for a month, 11:00 hours weeknights and 12:00 weekends. I thought that for two "factions" within the dorm, we let her see that we are a "thinking" group of individuals. So for the month of February "Mother McDowell" will be enforcing the law. For once, there will be no room for doubt.
Churchill's Funeral on TV was Very Impressive - Saturday, January 30, 1965
Evelyn went with me to see the movie Charade tonight. It was a suspense filled movie with an excellent plot. Evelyn cut my hair this evening. We made some more rice krispie candy. This morning we cleaned our room. I moved my books and things off the shelf over my desk and we put the shelf Jim gave Evelyn on that. It looks nice with a few of our knickknacks on it. Churchill's funeral on TV was very impressive. Ev and I read at the library this afternoon and brought back some more records.
Park Beat Calvary Baptist in Our Fourth Straight Win - Friday, January 29, 1965
Park beat Calvary Bible College tonight - our fourth straight win. We were actually ahead the whole way. It snowed quite a little bit more today. I thought maybe Huffords wouldn't make it for remedial reading, but they did. The "case" from last weekend is still being discussed by the administration, and Dean Miller wants to speak to the entire dorm, so we've set Sunday night at 10:00 as the time. What a mess! There's a dance on campus tonight - Peter Palmer's band. Carol Patterson, Joy Matthews and a girl I don't know are guests in Stephens.
Mrs. Gardner Talked About FLES at SNEA Meeting - Thursday, January 28, 1965
We had an SNEA meeting tonight. We had a nice turnout. Mrs. Gardner, who taught German here two years ago, was in this area so came to talk on FLES (Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools). I went to the library from 8:30 to 10:00 to read a chapter for The Family. I think the weather is affecting people's moods - I know it is mine. Maybe that's what was wrong with Holly and me today - rather a discouraging session. The Stylus is really different this year - it's a good paper - Terry Scullin is editor.
Stravinsky by St. Joseph Performers in Alumni - Wednesday, January 27, 1965
I went to the concert of music by Stravinsky in Alumni tonight. Most of the performers were from the St. Joseph Symphony Orchestra. There were three numbers, one an instrumental octet, a vocal solo with piano accompaniment, and an instrumental number with narration. We had an LLC meeting tonight. The sweatshirts that the club ordered were distributed. If I'm not careful, I'll be getting back to last year's way of doing other things every night rather than studying. Jim gave Evelyn her birthday present early - a wood shelf and mirror in modern design.
Have Rewritten First Philosophy Paper for Dr. Pai - Tuesday, January 26, 1965
I've just spent all evening rewriting my first philosophy paper. If this doesn't please Dr. Pai, then I give up. It's been a long time since I've had to rewrite a paper. Actually, I think a lot of people have voiced concern over the course and still come out okay grade wise, so I'm not too worried. I've got to start thinking about upcoming tests in some of my other courses. I called Miss Dyer this evening about tutoring Jeri. She was so hard to "get anything out of," so to speak, but she doesn't object.
Four are Concerned About "Railroad" Situation - Monday, January 25, 1965
Out of the storm a calm. [Four Stephens girls] called me into [the room of two of them] to talk over the "railroad" situation - they really are concerned about the "bad name" it has caused for Stephens. I think they should be "blameless" in an unfortunate situation. One of my third graders, Jeri Pitcher, is having trouble with arithmetic, and her mother would like me to tutor her. She had high praise about how much Jerri thinks of me. Also Mr. Fike was very nice - he had a final today, but then he is going to look up some tests for us. Scorpio even guided male attention toward me when Rog asked me if I'd like to study soc psych with him and Marty Wednesday night, and Bill Lafferty called me to ask about The Family assignment.
Students were Playing "Chicken" with a Train - Sunday, January 24, 1965
I'm trying to write another philosophy paper. The more I think about it, the worse it gets. (Maybe I should stop thinking - I've never made writing a paper a horrible experience for myself before - why should I start now?) If I can just get it finished, I think I'll "escape" by going to bed. There's trouble on campus and in Stephens regrettably - some kids were involved yesterday in drinking and playing "chicken" with a train. It stopped and train men got in touch with college officials - but now I understand the girls weren't directly involved. Then in the morning I have to call Mr. Fike, whom Evelyn said can be a "bear"!
Jim Made Two Free Shots for Season's Second Win - Saturday, January 23, 1965
Park beat Graceland tonight, 83-81. It was tied with three seconds left when Jim Peeke was fouled, and he made both free shots. It's only our second win of the season. I spent the afternoon at the library reading philosophy readings. I had planned to read social psychology, but I didn't get to it. It was such a cold, gray, indifferent day - it made one feel kind of useless. I brought back some records from the library. We're enjoying those now on a January winter evening in the dorm room.
Mr. Fike Was Not Available for a Phone Conversation - Friday, January 22, 1965
Flo, Terry Osuga and I went to the movie, Who's Minding the Store?, a Jerry Lewis comedy. It was really silly. I have been quite pleased with the results I've had with Holly this week. It seems to be working out pretty well for her to come on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Dr. Pai wants me to call Mr. Fike regarding the remedial reading program. I wasn't able to reach him today. I hope it doesn't get too tricky - I've got to be interviewed by him, and I don't want him to think I'm trying to get "pushy" about it. This was a rainy but spring like day.
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