**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.
Margie Has Gone Downstairs to Call Home - Wednesday, December 5, 1962
Margie has just gone downstairs to call home to see if she left one of her religion books at home - she can't find it (but the strange thing is the library no longer has a card for it!). The case of the missing book. It would be something if I called home about a missing book! I never have called home. Last night I was working on my paper in the trunk room when I heard boys' voices. It was Nickel coming to bring our tree back and give us a party. It was nice. Proof read this afternoon. Doing terrible in French - but I imagine it's only temporary (gosh, I did the one right she called on me for, so maybe she doesn't know).
Signed Up for the Idler Staff - Tuesday, December 4, 1962
Just an ordinary day for the most part. It rained this morning. I worked on my research paper in the library, then went to the last African Series lecture, Dr. J. Gus Liebenow on African Nationalism. I wrote up a short summary for the Stylus. I signed up for the Idler staff. Barb had me sign her up, too. In bowling this afternoon Mrs. Dorsey wasn't there. Gary Bruce came all the way up from setting pins twice to show me how to do it the right way! Now back to the religion paper.
Gave French Book Report to Dr. Hampl - Monday, December 3, 1962
I reported on my French book to Dr. Hampl this morning. I guess she was satisfied. It was okay that I only read what amounted to 150 pages rather than 200. I'll try to make up for it next semester. I didn't do very well on our pop quiz in French class, however. We had a Stylus staff meeting this afternoon. I voiced (as did others) opinions! Neither Lou or Regina will be here next semester. I hope we get some good reporters to replace them. Got to get to work on my religion paper.
Open House Doors Looked Like Packages - Sunday, December 2, 1962
Tonight was Hawley's open house. Margie and I got our room cleaned up this afternoon (cleaning on Sunday!). Everyone on the floor decorated their doors like packages. (Our theme was Christmas on the Mezzanine.) Margie and I made a cute little Santa Claus. My possessions seemed to bring a lot of nice comments. I typed Stylus news during open house - with time out for visiting, too. Now I have to finish reading history. I should have read up on the Jewish education system for my research paper, too. I'm getting tired of studying!
"Intelligence, Education and Culture of Jesus" - Saturday, December 1, 1962
I spent the day in Mackay working on my religion research paper. I've got quite a way to go on it, but at least I know where I'm "going" now. (I hope!) My topic is "The Intelligence, Education and Culture of Jesus." Tonight I took time out to go to the show, "The Young Doctors," with Barb. It was good. Open House is tomorrow night. Most of the freshman girls are going all out in decorating, but Margie and I will do well to get our room straightened up. I wonder as I wander.
Dr. Frank Meyer on "Education For What?" - Friday, November 30, 1962
Tonight I took some clothes down to the Laundromat to clean in the self service dry cleaning unit. I wanted to do my red sweater with the white stripe, as I thought it might run if I tried to wash it. Now I've been reading my French book. I should try to finish it tonight. I had wanted to have my conference with Dr. Hampl tomorrow, but I have to wait till Monday. This afternoon at 4:00 I heard Dr. Frank Meyer, a Communist turned Conservative, talk on "Education For What?" I don't know if I'm so fond of the Princeton-Oxford mind or not.
Dr. Sagan Gave His Concluding Lecture - Thursday, November 29, 1962
I am in a C rut, C to C+ again on the history test. My own fault. My write-up on the astrobiologist looked good in the Stylus. I think my article is just as good as the Kansas City Star article. Dr. Sagan gave his last lecture this morning - talked about communications with extra-terrestrials. I'm surprised how much of what he has said I've already known! I should go into the field as a major. It's strange how one can feel so good and so bad at the same time. A certain boy's smile, and then Dr. Sagan's theories. Oh, how wonderful it all is. Just wish we could abolish the grading system!
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