Winter Clothes and Books will be Stored in Parkville - Tuesday, April 20, 1965

Maybe for once I'll be ready when the people from home get here. I packed up my winter clothes and books and some other things. Jim got one of the Parkville men to bring a very old truck up here and we took some of Evelyn's and my stuff down to their apartment which they've rented in Parkville. It's nice not to have anything in the way of studying to do and to be able to go to bed early and/or sleep late. I don't envy underclass girls staying up late and getting up early to study for finals, but I do know what it's like.

Being a Student at Park is a Thing of the Past - Monday, April 19, 1965

It's really hard to believe that I'm "finished" with college - I don't think I've begun to comprehend the full effects yet. Dr. Pai got my paper back to me already. I got an 80 on it and the comment, "Where is McDowell? You seem to have done a lot of work but without developing some idea of your own." - much as I could have expected. On the part of the test we wrote in class I got a 90 and an 80 on the part we wrote ahead of time - that should give me a B for the course, I think. I "dry cleaned" some clothes at the Laundromat this afternoon and read Press Dispatches at the Platte County Library while I waited.

Called Home from College for the First Time - Sunday, April 18, 1965

"For once" during my college career I decided to call home. I thought it would be nice to wish them a Happy Easter, tell them about my job, and ask about plans for picking Phyllis up next week. I talked with Mom and Virginia. It was fun - we always say we should do it more often. I finished my philosophy paper (32 pages) this evening. When I called the Pai's to ask if he'd like my paper tonight, his young daughter answered, ran off, forgot to tell him, and left the receiver off the hook. Then I took it to their house and ended up leaving it in his car. If I hadn't figured out they must be at the Chronisters (whom I called and found out they were) I'm sure they might have wondered what was up.

Will Teach in NKC School System and Receive $5,150 - Saturday, April 17, 1965

It looks as if I'll be teaching in the North Kansas City school system next year! I received a contract from them in this morning's mail. Gee - is this a great feeling - $5,150 salary for the school year, too! This afternoon I went with the other girls who had gone in on the Nickel steak dinner and some of the Nickel guys to Wyandotte County Lake. We had a great time flying kites, eating the delicious steaks, and playing softball. I went with Seth to the show tonight. He's pretty much stopped talking about his misfortune now. But I'm afraid I caused him a renewed one. It's not all my fault - it's Seth's way of looking at things.

Talked with Seth, Spent Day Typing, Typing, Typing - Friday, April 16, 1965

I didn't see Seth all day and was especially concerned when the person I talked to in the dorm hadn't seen him since this morning. A half hour ago I called back and this time Arty answered and was more on the ball. Seth had gone to Jerry Howell's for the day with Elliott. I called him to see how he was. I'm glad that's where he is. I spent the day typing, typing, typing my philosophy paper - eighteen pages, mostly single-spaced quotes. Now I have to summarize and interpret and write the implications for education.

One of Seth's Very Best Friends was Killed Today - Thursday, April 15, 1965

One of Seth's very best friends - one of his "group of five buddies" on Long Island - was killed today by a hit and run driver. He got the telegram this afternoon from his mother. He called me at 9:00 to say he wanted to see me, and I've been with him till now (12:30). I guess that's some way to avoid writing a paper - it's going to set me back and rush me more now, but oh well. I'm also in a corner - Seth thinks I like him again (what more could I do). It would be traumatic for me to act "cool" tomorrow ... so! This is something again. The senior steak dinner was tonight. I went to the Maundy Thursday communion service.

Recounted Blessings in Last Letter Home from Park - Wednesday, April 14, 1965

After changing my approach somewhat, I'm finally writing my philosophy of education paper. I have decided to limit it to the linguistics of numbers and am entitling it Two Plus Two is Four - Or is It? Jean doesn't think Dr. Pai will like a lot of long quotes, but I think my approach for it will be okay. Evelyn finished her ethics paper fifteen minutes before she had to give an oral report on it. She's still not back from St. Joseph where the choir has gone three nights this week. My last of many, many letters home from Park College was a means for airing some of my recent "injustices" and at the same time recounting some blessings.

Am to Call North Kansas City District About a Position - Tuesday, April 13, 1965

Recognition Day was today. I received a certificate, along with John Campbell, Leslie Innes, Art Kluge, Barb Page, Glenn Petrie, Liz Ralston, Rog Rikkola, Gary Sorrell and John Van Horn for Who's Who. Leslie and Gary are the Outstanding Parkites. That award would have been nice to get - several have said they thought I would get it. Oh well, there's some compensation in being an "also ran." Furthermore, I can have the feeling now that I am genuinely liked for what I am. My NKC teaching interview went well - I'm supposed to find out within a few weeks about a position.

Tension and Unnaturalness in Philosophy Seminar - Monday, April 12, 1965

It was somewhat colder again today. I wish spring would make up its mind. I went to the library tonight to get some books for my philosophy term paper. I hope this venture doesn't turn into too large a task. We all wrote on Dr. Pai's philosophy question although we had to "find it" ourselves in Mr. Carey's office. It seemed as if there was tension and unnaturalness among us in seminar. I do feel sorry for Mr. Carey whom I think feels just as bad as the rest of us.

Returned to "Normal" About Written Comp Grade - Sunday, April 11, 1965

Friends are wonderful. It is they who have talked me into forgetting my misfortune, and they're right - I had moped around long enough by 5:30 this evening. Since that time I've been "normal" again. I did call Mr. Carey this morning to talk about it. He was very understanding and sounded sorry himself. He told me the reason my paper had fallen down - I completely reversed the two given statements as to traditional and progressive education. (I guess I thought too far and went past the obvious.) This morning I went with Evelyn to the Lutheran church where she plays the organ.

Sobbing and Crying About Written Comp Grade of 74 - Saturday, April 10, 1965

If my written comp grade that I got back today is right and there is no mistake, I feel as if I'm suffering the worst experience of my life! As far as I'm concerned, a 74 is a D on the college scale and I do not believe that if I got a 94 on my GRE and have never had anything lower than a B in any of my education courses, that my comprehensive exam should be of D quality. After lunch I saw Seth and since he wasn't busy he listened to my sob story. I cried again tonight to myself quietly in Evelyn's and my room. The girls I've told are very understanding. Dee got an 85, MaryAnne 80. Evelyn is home this weekend, so I don't know her score. The other grades I've heard are 70-72.

College Oral Score was 84 and GRE Percentile was 94th - Friday, April 9, 1965

My college oral was an experience. In the first place Mr. Wetherill didn't know about it and Mr. Craig and Dr. Lark had to yell down the hill at Mr. Larson to remind him. We then went into Mackay and Mr. Dusing in the faculty lounge agreed to take Mr. Wetherill's place. We went to the dean's office for it and after an interesting and enjoyable session, I came out with an 84. At almost the same moment, I found out from Mrs. Hansmire my GRE score - 94th percentile for which I feel particularly pleased. I got an A- on the social psych test. The LLCs went to the Oak Ridge Manor for a dinner honoring the Johnsons.