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.
Saw the Very Nice Mid-Prairie High School - Saturday, December 22, 1962
This morning I went with Phyllis over to Wellman to get her senior pictures and then we went out to get Virginia, Diana and Kathy who were helping decorate for the Christmas dance. Phyllis showed me around the new school. It's really nice. The meeting room for the school board has a big table and blue leather chairs! This afternoon we went to town. I got Margie a curler bag for Christmas (that's what she wanted) and that was the extent of my shopping. Patty and Delbert came on to Grandma's last night rather than spend the night in Boone since they thought the weather might get bad.
Train Was Three and a Half Hours Late - Friday, December 21, 1962
The train was three and a half hours late leaving Kansas City so we didn't get to Fairfield till 5:15 and didn't get home till 6:00. I didn't go to bed till after they left for school, then lay down and slept till they came home at 1:30 - not quite as bad as last year! I got to ride in a parlor car since the coach was filled up, but it was the last car on the train and didn't have any heat till 4:00. A man who works for the Rock Island, two girls going to Chicago, and I about froze! Phyllis and I went to the two girls basketball games at Kalona tonight. I visited with several of the college crowd.
Christmas Shopping in Kansas City - Thursday, December 20, 1962
I finished my finals with the French standardized test this morning. I checked on my soc grade with Mr. Gibson and found I only got a C for the course! The first low blow! He said he was sorry, but I told him it was my fault. I have him for ed psych next trimester so thought "well enough" was best left alone. I then went down to talk to Rev. Seamans about a scholarship contest, came back to Hawley and decided to pack, eat, clean the room and change clothes in time to go in to Kansas City on the 1:00 bus to Christmas shop. Vivien was going in, too, so we shopped till time for her 4:45 train. I took a taxi to the depot (my arm was nearly paralyzed after carrying my suitcase down to Parkville).
Called Home for First Time - Wednesday, December 19, 1962
I took the religion test tonight instead of this morning. My studying all day for it (I couldn't be ready for it this morning with my history test, too, I discovered), I'm not sure did me that much good. I hope I got a C on it. The history test I found to my liking, though, thank heavens! Well, fast changes again find me going home by train tomorrow night after all. Patty called to say Esteps can't come since their baby's sick. I called home then - first time. I don't know why our family doesn't make a practice of calling more often. Well, now to start packing! Hurrah, I'm going home! Thank heavens it's about over - that homework grind!
French, Sociology Finals Were Two Hours - Tuesday, December 18, 1962
I have done nothing today but take two tests - French and soc - two hours each - and study and hope and pray. All I can say is, that if I live (and pass both my history and religion finals), by this time tomorrow night I'll be the happiest person alive.
The Psychology Final was Okay - Monday, December 17, 1962
The psychology final was okay. I wish I could hope for as much on the others. I spent the afternoon trying to study religion but got nowhere fast. I got a bath sponge, little pin and some pretty shells from Mrs. Cowan for Christmas. I also got letters from Patty (hope someone plans to stop for me on Friday) and Mary Ellen.
Reflections on Christmas and Park - Sunday, December 16, 1962
I spent the afternoon reading history and tonight going over my psychology notes. Now I have to study a little more about certain behavioral characteristics and review Freud's psychoanalysis. The church service tonight was all meditation and carols. Again, as I say, it's hard to believe it's so nearly Christmas, everyone is so wrapped up in studies. It was warm today. Some college days seem so different from others. Weeks, too. Sometimes I wonder if we don't all fall asleep and wake up later. I love Park. I'm quite sure its a unique institution.
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