**nightly entries written by a coming-of-age girl who became a woman from Washington County Iowa**
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.
About 40 Girls Are Gone - Saturday, November 25, 1961
Sunny weather in the mid 60's is sure wonderful. Flo, Barb, Teresa and I played tennis in our sweat shirts and slacks this afternoon. Tonight Marge, John Blair, Ken Knarr, Nancy Ayers, Fred Kieslar and I played cards in the lounge. Lora Lee popped us some corn and came to join us. Quite a few of the girls (about 40, Mom said) are gone this weekend. I had a long sleep this morning without speech class and Viv worked the breakfast crew so she wasn't around to get up about 8:00 or 9:00. I'm reading the Cyclops chapter of the Odyssey. I remember that story - I wonder if we had it in grade school?
Went to See Movie, "Cimarron" - Friday, November 24, 1961
I only had two classes today since world lit didn't meet due to the slides we had Tuesday night. I came back at 10:00 and did my washing and my French. I'm afraid I turned my housecoat sort of a sweat shirt blue. This afternoon I managed to read two chapters of the Odyssey - I've eleven to go to get caught up with where I should be. Tonight Lora Lee and I went to see "Cimarron" about the settling of Osage, Oklahoma, based on Edna Ferber's novel. Peggy and Keith sent me a $2.00 bill - for graduation. This was another nice day. Yesterday we didn't have to wear coats - but I fear I should have to Alfalfa Point. My throat's a little raw.
An Enjoyable Thanksgiving at Park - Thursday, November 23, 1961
My first Thanksgiving away from home was nice. I didn't get up till 10:30 - it was good to sleep for a change. Vivien's and my breakfast was sweet rolls and tea. The Thanksgiving dinner was served family style and it truly tasted just like a good old home Thanksgiving dinner. I guess the taste and style of Thanksgiving food is a national tradition for sure. Vivien and I walked up to Alfalfa Point this afternoon. It was really inspiring and relaxing to look out over the Missouri. When we got back Mom had food left over from dinner in the lounge - again just like Thanksgiving supper at home. Now I must get busy and read the Odyssey. I intended to write four letters today but only got the round robin answered.
Staying on Campus for Thanksgiving - Wednesday, November 22, 1961
Well, we've gotten a lot of the kids who are going home for Thanksgiving off. There will be more tomorrow - the excitement of those leaving mixed with the "woe" (ha!) of those staying for an air of general vacation excitement. It will be interesting to see what I would have missed if I'd gone to Varners. We didn't have French this morning because Dr. Hampl had a migraine headache. There was a Thanksgiving party in Mackay tonight but Vivien and I decided we'd rather take it easy here. I ran my tuition check over to the business office when it came today and then went to Parkville to buy some toothpicks.
100 Extra Points for Genetics Problem - Tuesday, November 21, 1961
I was feeling great till I took the art test and then the sky sort of fell in. I don't know, maybe I did okay but he grades so tough. I think I had best go to bed now even though there's the Odyssey and always more art to read. We didn't give speeches again today and since he called off Saturday speech class I won't have to give mine till next Tuesday. Gosh, I got the extra- credit genetics problem we did last Thursday right for 100 extra points. I can use that! Lab took a long time today but it was interesting - stripes on sunflower seeds. We had slides in Alumni for world literature tonight.
Diligent Reading for the Next Art Test - Monday, November 20, 1961
We just had an hour long floor meeting. Now I'm going to have to keep at it to get my art read - I've maintained my schedule for it surprisingly well though. I think I'll cry if I flunk this one. I got 87 out of a possible 105 on my bio test. Considering a few stupid mistakes I made, I shouldn't complain. I hurried off a letter to Parcells and mailed Mrs. Cowan's Christmas card and package. Then I went to the library and diligently read art all afternoon. Fencing's going to be fun, but I'm afraid I'll never shine in any sport.
Saw the Russian Film, "Ballad of a Soldier" - Sunday, November 19, 1961
I luckily got my French done without taking too long. I had to listen to the record and write a composition. I wonder if I'm permanently discoloring my skin below my eyes. My junior year the circles under my eyes were bad but last year I thought I had better luck. I finished the second chapter of art with an afternoon in the library. Now I've got one to go. Tonight the youth fellowship went to "Ballad of a Soldier," a Russian exchange film, as a group, then discussed it. It was a good movie. I have to set my hair yet. Vivien's talking about going to bed soon for once.
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