Hell Week is Over and Frosh Court is a Success - Saturday, September 23, 1961

Hell Week is over. I'm dead tired and I have a terrible cold so I'm going to bed. I guess our frosh skit and the whole talent show at frosh court were real good. Three comments I heard: "terrific," "a terrific freshman class," and " the best frosh talent show in four years." I pantomimed for our skit with Janet, Rand and Joe. By the way, my date for frosh court turned out to be [the head judge]. We were both in the show so I didn't see much of him. He gave me a huge hug in the JR [Jolly Roger - the student union] and kept yelling "Date!" out at me from a distance during the show. We had to do the "button" [a curtsy or bow] in front of Mackay for our capping ceremony, but the beanies aren't here yet.   

Planning a Freshman Skit for Frosh Court - Friday, September 22, 1961

I feel so good. I just got home from another frosh court skit planning meeting and found Margie had my bed turned down, tooth brush and pajamas laid out. We are using my suggestion of turning "The Night Before Christmas" into "The Night Before Hell Week" for the skit. I'm so tired though. I did a terrible job on my biology test. I ate breakfast at the goons' table, ironed two pairs of pants, and contributed in a hundred ways to my "learning" the Park way of life. The upperclass men beat the frosh in softball. We were made to cheer, cheer, cheer.

Awakened at 4:00 for Hell Week - Thursday, September 21, 1961

What a day! It started at 4:00 this morning with a screaming, banging arousing by the goons and goonesses, tramping around the parking lot and chanting [the Hell Week chant], walking single file to all the dorms, and carrying on on the athletic field till breakfast. I had to lie down on the blacktop for my funeral, was spanked twice with a long black paddle, and told numerous times that I was a "stupid frosh," etc. We also went through "air raids" and "floods" in Commons, etc. Some of the bratty freshmen were given a pretty rough deal, but I've had a lot of fun. I was almost too tired though to stay awake for the all-student chapel lecture. I've got a freshman skit practice to go to at 8:30.

Hell Week Has Begun - Wednesday, September 20, 1961

I sit here at my desk with wet hair doing biology. In the hall are upper class girls watching the "wee baby" frosh girls. ("Hell Week" began at supper tonight.) The goons and goonesses look like horror. We have to wear our skirts three inches above our knees and wrong-side out, hair uncombed, no makeup, and carry a favorite possession. It should be quite an experience. I'm still trying to get my schedule changed. Badminton and golf in phys ed is filled up so I might try to get fencing and trampolining. I'm changing speech to Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:00.

Park's 87th Opening Convocation is Impressive - Tuesday, September 19, 1961

The very impressive 87th opening convocation of Park College was this morning. All the faculty members marched in in their caps and gowns. There are 555 students at Park this year (not all full-time). They also had a combination memorial service for a former dean of Park, Dr. Sanders, who died Sunday. Afternoon classes were called off for his funeral. He was at Park as a teacher, dean and historian from 1911 to l959. I spent all afternoon on biology lab (characteristics and classifications of everything from copperhead snakes to bacteria). I have had to change my schedule because Dr. Hampl scheduled my bio lab for 1:00-2:00 - it's either 12:00 - 1:00 or 2:00 - 3:00, etc., etc.

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.