Dag Hammarskjold Dies in African Plane Crash - Monday, September 18, 1961

I must get to bed. I was ready first on our floor tonight compared to last last night. I've got Metamorphoses to read and that should do for tomorrow as I've only got French and art since afternoon classes were called off because a former dean of Park [Dr. Walter Frederic Sanders, Dean Emeritus] died yesterday. Dag Hammarskjold, UN Secretary-General was killed in an African plane crash. I gave an introductory speech in speech class. French is all oral for the first two weeks. Dr. Hampl is a lot different than Mrs. Frazier [high school French teacher].

A Date for Frosh Court - Sunday, September 17, 1961

I just finished reading the first two books of Ovid's Metamorphoses. If only I hadn't had to read so fast I would have had it down pat. At least I didn't get completely lost. I never saw a faster afternoon. I was just leisurely reading from my speech book and it was gone. I also outlined my biology and got my notebook in order in time for note taking, thank heavens. We didn't have to go to chapel till 11:00, so that meant a little more sleep. This evening several of us hiked to Alfalfa Point. It's a magnificent view. I asked Gordon Edwards, the guy who led the vespers, to be my date for Frosh Court.

The Social Clubs Choose Their New Pledges - Saturday, September 16, 1961

I'm a member of the LECs ! It was really quite thrilling to hear the runners come through the dorm yelling for their new pledges. We went on a snake dance around campus and down to Parkville's Main Street. We had individual club picnics. The LECs went out to a farm house. The freshmen had to divide into skit groups. Ours used my Art Linkletter suggestion! Viv, Janet, Judy, Nancy and several other good friends all got in LECs. We made our choices this morning. There was an all-school party tonight. A bunch of us (I was with Bob Grey) had a riot in Hawley lounge. Dale Cunningham sold me all of his paper back world lit books for $2.75!

College Classes Sound Enjoyable - Friday, September 15, 1961

College classes began today. I had four: French, biology, world literature and speech. We took a placement test in French. Biology will be big for the lecture sessions with smaller labs, lecture-demonstrations and discussion groups. World lit will involve a lot of reading (Ovid's Metamorphoses first). Speech, which will be mainly oral, will be informal in the Meetin' House. The LECs took us out to the Red Barn Summer Play House that Professor David has north of town.

We Register for Classes and Find Books - Thursday, September 14, 1961

We spent the day registering and running down second hand books. I'm pleased with my first semester schedule: French, biology, world literature, introduction to visual arts, speech and phys ed (speedball and basketball). It's a 17-hour load. I only hope I can manage. I came to Park with the  understanding that it was required to have a campus job. Since it isn't for the first time in its history this year, I haven't one as yet. I was able to get second hand French and biology books. Tonight's event was ACCs sponsored sports in the gym. These whizzing days. Viv and I investigated the town of Parkville this afternoon.

We Buy Bedspreads in Kansas City - Wednesday, September 13, 1961

This morning most of the Park College freshmen trooped through the streets of Kansas City in the rain buying bedspreads, drapes and umbrellas. I guess we're getting the effects of Hurricane Carla as it has been cold and rainy (55 degrees this morning in Kansas City and water from the Missouri up to Hwy 9 [It later became Hwy 45.] Viv and I bought Martha Washington white bedspreads for $7.77 each. We're going to get our drapes and rug later. I don't have to take freshman English (among 35 who don't!) but will have to have a semester of speech. We had reading and IQ tests after dinner. The LLC party was tonight.

The PCCs Give A Roman Party - Tuesday, September 12, 1961

Tonight the PCCs gave a Roman party with the theme "Rome can be built in a day." We ate supper sitting on the floor and the waitresses wore long robes made out of white sheets. It was real nice. Gee, today we were all scheduled to take ACT tests. However, they didn't have enough test books so those who had already taken it didn't have to take it again. I spent the morning typing a research paper for Viv. This afternoon we had a meeting concerning student government, activities, music, and physical education, and we took a tour of the home economics department.