Have Now Been Asked to Help with Camp Fire Girls Camp - Thursday, April 29, 1965

Let's see - what did I do today? I read the May Reader's Digest and found it had some very interesting articles. Sharon came in for lunch and we had pizza. I need to wash my hair, but I'm going to attempt to get up early to do it. Oneita came this evening for the cancer drive. She asked if I'd like to help with the Campfire Girls camp. I've also been asked to help with Bible School, so with the possibility of the camp, organ lessons, etc., I should find enough to do this summer. I also hope to read and sew, not just "talk" about that.

Made Posters, Mint and Nut Cups for Program - Wednesday, April 28, 1965

This afternoon I made three posters about the mother-daughter program. Helen called to tell me I was to do them, this morning. I took them to the bank, store and post office. Coming back past the store I saw Mr. Griggs reading his Journal with a picture - I recognized as mine - from the sidewalk. Park had sent an announcement of commencement and a nice review of my activities and accomplishments. I went out to visit with Grandma for a while this afternoon. Tonight Mom, Phyllis, Ellen and I went over to the church to help Isabelle, Mrs. Reif and Mrs. Peters make mint and nut cups.

Took News Item About Park Graduation to Journal Office - Tuesday, April 27, 1965

I went with Mom and Dad to PTA tonight. Many were interested in my teaching position. Mrs. Mangold approached me about teaching the junior high class in Bible School. Phyllis, Ellen and I went to Washington this afternoon. We ate lunch at the Dari Delite. I took my local news item about graduating from Park to the Journal and left it on Mrs. Luckenbill's desk. Mrs. Morris was the only one I talked with as most of the others were out for lunch. I bought some blue shorts and a red print blouse at the new Mode O' Day store and tennis shoes. I unpacked my big suitcase.

Spent Morning with Phyllis at Tarkio, Left for Iowa - Monday, April 26, 1965

Phyllis, her roommate Ellen and I left Tarkio about noon after the girls had taken care of some of their last business and got packed. Phyllis showed me through the new science center where she worked this year and the main administration building. The summer term students were registering today. We saw Rich Shugart briefly and saw that his family had made it to Tarkio after being at Park for commencement. We got here about 5:10 - 24 hours after the folks left Park (which was 24 hours after they got there).

Received B.A. in Elementary Education from Park College - Sunday, April 25, 1965

I received my B.A. degree from Park College today. It was really a nice commencement. Dr. Edler G. Hawkins, the moderator of the United Presbyterian Church General assembly, was the speaker. He was also given an honorary degree. After baccalaureate (also nice) we went to the president's luncheon in Commons. It was a quite cold and cloudy day (but it didn't rain - just during the night a little). Mom should have gotten some good pictures anyway. I bought my "canary and wine" hood that each of us got along with our diploma. I finished packing after the folks left, and I drove to Tarkio. I was able to meet the bus and surprise Phyl when their choir tour bus got back.

Arrival Coincided with Meal Times All Four Years - Saturday, April 24, 1965

Mom, Daddy, Virginia and Ann got here at 5:20 - just as I was going to supper with Winnie. Last year I was on my way to breakfast with Rosemary, the year before just back from lunch with Nancy, and my freshman year I had been to supper with Gloria. Winnie and Jean were in Warrensburg last night for Leslie and Glenn's wedding. Evelyn and Jim went to Pierce City today for the wedding of a girlfriend of Evelyn's. I had a nice leisurely day of completing my packing - for once I was ready. Virginia set my hair this evening. Then we sat in Hawley lounge and visited. It seems impossible that tomorrow I will graduate from college.

Commencement Rehearsal was Followed by Picnic - Friday, April 23, 1965

This "summer" weather is about too much. The seniors - or part of us - went to Wyandotte County Lake this evening for what was probably the "best behaved" senior class picnic in several years. Vivien and Charlie took Kathy Darch, Margaret McElwain and me. Commencement rehearsal this afternoon was fun. Mr. McDaniel, our marshall, said "McDowell, where are you going?" when I had gotten in the wrong pew. I told him, "trying to be a kindergarten student." My "bosses" surprised me with a farewell gift today - a set of eight Park College tumblers and a cute Peanuts graduating teacher card.

Went to Alumni Dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Ennis - Thursday, April 22, 1965

Park graduates Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Ennis took me to the Alumni Association dinner for graduating seniors tonight at the Gold Buffet. I enjoyed visiting with them. The speech by Dr. Tom Hunter, president of the Alumni Association and Vice President of McCormick Theological Seminary, and the program were nice. Each graduate received an Alumni Association certificate - benefit of a small college! I was with Seth from 10:00 - 12:30. I decided I shouldn't see him again tonight since "all's well that ends well" and it did seemingly enough so this afternoon.

Saw Changes Since Student Teaching Days - Wednesday, April 21, 1965

The dinner the Careys and Pai's had for the senior education majors at the Carey's tonight was very nice. We had a really nice time - dinner with the "bosses," so to speak, for me. Evelyn and I went out to Southeast this morning so we could see how much our classes have progressed since last fall. It was very interesting to notice the changes. I was still a celebrity, signing autographs! I sorted "take home" and "leave here" papers.

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.