**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.
This Term's Religion Paper: "Too Condensed" - Monday, April 15, 1963
Ce n'est pas possible! I'm almost halfway through college. The poli sci test I think I did quite well on (I hope I get a B for the course now. We still have our discussion final on Wednesday though). I got a 96 on my religion term paper - marvelous for no more time than I put into it. This time he said it was "too condensed." No, I can't win! Dorm phone jobs for next year are likely filled says Dean White - it doesn't help matters when you end up with a six hour job. I never got the additional six I had wanted for this year. I might be able to work for the mailing room or cook at the health center.
Said "Zotz!" and Plane Tilted its Wings - Sunday, April 14, 1963
This was a beautiful Easter Sunday. It's a shame that there are always so few people in chapel. They liked my new dress. This afternoon I studied in one of the Mackay rooms. Jim Fitzroy was there, too. We had been looking out the window when I saw a plane flying over the river which I pointed at and said "Zotz!" (The movie "Zotz!" Friday night centered around the translation of an ancient coin that resulted in the power of destruction by the holder of the coin for anything he pointed at and said "Zotz!") I nearly dropped dead when at that very moment the plane tilted its wings!
Altered and Hemmed a Dress - Saturday, April 13, 1963
This afternoon and tonight I read a French story due Monday that we've had assigned for two weeks. I still have all of Monday's homework including the poli sci test for which I should read the readings, yet to do. This evening I altered the dress from Minnesota Woolens that Mrs. Kline was selling. The one I tried on must have been sized wrong, as this one was so big. I had it on and off so many times that I didn't put it back on after I hemmed it - hope it's alright. I hope to play Hawley LLC Easter bunny sometime before dorm rising time. Karen, Terry and I talked a little about the yearbook.
Helped Make LLC Easter Baskets - Friday, April 12, 1963
The Iowa City people didn't leave until this morning. I ate breakfast with them once again. So did Bob Young, since his parents are Park graduates, too, and they know a lot of the same people. They left an Easter lily for the dorm. I frantically typed my elementary physical education 18-week curriculum guide and got it done just in time to give to Dee to take to Coach Nelson for the 12:00 deadline. I should have gotten up earlier or stayed up longer last night to work on it. As it was, Margie and I talked quite awhile this morning. If she stops being so self-centered, I have to take shorter steps when I walk!?! I helped Flo, Bonnie and George make LLC Easter baskets this afternoon.
Was Not Named Narva Editor - Thursday, April 11, 1963
I may have felt just a little disappointed (but not really) about not getting honorable mention for the writing award, but that was minor compared to what happened this afternoon. Not only did I not get Narva editor, but I only got half of the associate editorship along with Terry Scullin. Carole Green recommended Karen for editor and me for associate - it was enough when she told me that, but then to only get six hours. Mr. Larson thought Karen should be editor. Today's interview was like a comps board - Dr. Neighbor's presence didn't help matters. I'll be ticked if I don't get at least a B for ed psych!
Reported on Les Miserables - Wednesday, April 10, 1963
It was winter again today - a dreary, rainy day, too. We had ed psych tonight since the final is tomorrow night. By getting up at 5:00 and reading it every spare minute until 3:00 (only about three and a half hours) I managed to get enough more of Les Miserables read to give a decent report on it. After all my times of renewing it, it felt good to take that book to the library and leave it. We had a riot of a surprise party for Margie last night when she came in at 11:00 - lots of hilarious laughter. I proofread for the last time. Like Mr. Gibson, I'm "sentimental" about ending my Stylus job - he was talking about "going into the last ten or fifteen minutes of your ed psych class."
Talked with Mrs. MacDonald and Nancy - Tuesday, April 9, 1963
I have 100 pages yet to go of my French reading. I didn't turn in much Stylus news this time, but it's about time I took a break. I talked to Dr. Hampl this morning about some French meetings for the Stylus - I told her she should stop in on her way to or from Monmouth. I talked with Mrs. MacDonald and Nancy for an hour at breakfast. They're very nice - they are spending their spring vacation here till Thursday. Mom said Mrs. MacDonald really likes me. From the sound of things, I missed a good movie this afternoon, "The Birth of a Live Baby," but I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it that much.
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