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.
The "m" Key Fixed - Saturday, September 3, 1960
Phyllis and Ann went to the eye doctor's at 8:30 to get their glasses fixed, and I went for my progress report. I don't have to go back till Christmas vacation next year. I finally got my autobiography typed. Thank heavens Phyl got the "m" key fixed, as it sure wasn't any fun typing with it broken. I went to see Marilyn for a half hour. I helped Daddy and Grandpa put up three loads of hay.
97 Degrees Is Hottest in the State - Friday, September 2, 1960
Boy, am I tired! Suffering from the effects of Wellman, I guess. At least we got out early again. Washington had the hottest temperature (97 degrees) in the state yesterday. Today we skipped fourth period class (government) so we had French. I hope I master that. She talks too fast, everyone thinks. I finished my autobiography we have to write for English.
A Girl From the Pipeline - Thursday, September 1, 1960
School was dismissed at 1:35 today because of the heat (as though we live in Africa). They should have done it yesterday and the day before. There is one girl from the pipeline in our class. Then Jerolyn, Helen, Colleen and I are the only senior girls "left" from Chester. We have been lucky not to have too many assignments so far.
Lunch is One Big Confusion - Wednesday, August 31, 1960
Phyllis thought today was better and I think yesterday was better! I do believe I gave the worst English talk of my life! It was to be on gadgets--I used our map measure. I feel a little more certain of my French. Lunch time over there is one big confusion, plus eating in other people's food mess--ugh! I just have to keep up in my studies!
A New and Different World - Tuesday, August 30, 1960
In spite of the confusion, my first day of school not spent at West Chester was fun. We are having the seminar in American government. It will be hard but interesting. Maybe I'll master French! There are just eight in the class. I'm glad they didn't drop it. I have Mrs. Kephart for English IV, college prep. It's a new and different world and I think I'm going to like it.
A Purebred Beagle Pup - Monday, August 29, 1960
Thus goes my last "school" vacation. I don't know where it went to! Daddy brought home a purebred beagle pup, "Tut," that Van Winkle's neighbors can't take with them when they move to Sioux City. He's so cute. Mom got us each a new dress. She was in town for county teachers' meetings. I helped Virginia finish the dress she has been making.
A "Funeral" for a Puppy - Sunday, August 28, 1960
Esteps left Grandma's this evening to go down to Parcells. They are going to leave from there in the morning. They will show their slides at their church tonight. They showed them at Sunday School. One of Bernard's puppies got laid on by a calf. It's a wonder that didn't happen sooner. They had a "funeral" out at Grandma's (kids did). We had dinner down at Cuddebacks. I still say there's nothing like the pen you're used to.
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