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.
A Kitten Apiece - Saturday, October 22, 1960
Phyllis called Linda up a while ago and she said nobody made All-State, so I guess I didn't miss anything. However, Frank Stransky didn't even go! This afternoon we girls went over to Rosses and picked out four cute little kittens. They had seven to give away. Mine is yellow and named Tarzan. I think I'll let him keep that name. It sure seems like this day has gone fast, and I'm sleepy again.
Teaching Second Grade - Friday, October 21, 1960
Another Mid-Prairie victory, our sixth straight! We went to Cedar Rapids tonight and the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks beat the Prairie Hawks 26-0. It was their homecoming. I taught the Wellman second graders for about an hour and a half today. I bet they think I'm an old hag--they clapped when their teacher got back.
Pancake Supper Tickets - Thursday, October 20, 1960
These weeks are sure going fast. We'll be gaduating before we know it--we wonder where commencement will be. I don't have to go to All-State. It would have been fun, but I'm just as glad, since I'm so busy anyway. There's something I should see about but am forgetting, I think.The band is selling tickets for the Wellman Lions Club pancake supper.We are taking reading tests in English. Having no assignments is nice.
PSAT Test - Wednesday, October 19, 1960
Back to school, although I had the morning off to take the PSAT test. It was pretty hard, of course, but I think it was easier than the National Merit Qualifyig Test. I may not have to go to Cedar Rapids to try out for All-State after all, if Frank Stransky goes in my place. I hope I catch up on all of my work shortly. I love weekends, even if so far they've been nothing but school-catcher-uppers.
Iowa State - Tuesday, October 18, 1960
Mom got me up at 4:15 and Tom Bauer came and got me at 5:00. Then at 5:30 Mrs.Fordyce, Tom, Shirley, Mary Ellen, Curtis, Richard and I left for Ames. It's a nice campus but old and sort of crowded looking compared to Iowa City. Jack Shelley was the main speaker.We had a jolly good time all day. Mary Ellen and I rode backwards (back seat of station wagon) all the way home.We got home (or I did) at 8:00.
"Characteristics of a Good Friend" - Monday, October 17, 1960
I'm trying to beat my 9:00 deadline to bed since I have to leave by 5:00 in the morning for Ames. I'm just letting my homework go since I won't be in school tomorrow anyway. I filled out a questionnaire for the sophomore English class on "characteristics of a good friend." I pressed my blue suit for tomorrow.
Belgian Congo Missionary - Sunday, October 16, 1960
Surprisingly enough, I came along pretty good with my homework this weekend. I'm almost ready to type my government paper, and I got some more of my chemistry workbook done. We had a retired missionary to the Belgian Congo speak at church this morning. Cuddebacks came this afternoon and then Bishops (but not the boys) were here.
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