About the diary writer

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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.

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.

Campus is Covered With Snow - Saturday, November 18, 1961

I imagine that I'll soon have the feeling that I've had it. I've got to go to bed and I have about a million pages of art to read. Hip, hip, hurrah - it's been snowing all day and the ground was pretty well covered when Vivien and I got back from Kansas City tonight. In Kansas City I got a turquoise cardigan, this pen, vitamin pills and some incidental items. We spent an hour and a half shopping by ourselves. It works better that way. We didn't have speech class this morning because the Meetin' House was too cold. I'm not going to like having to give my speech the same morning as the art test.

Shopping in Downtown Parkville - Friday, November 17, 1961

I hope I did okay on my biology test. At least I think I passed it. Thank heavens the three genetics problems weren't too hard. This afternoon I went down to Parkville. I got Mrs. Cowan a gift package of perfume nips for Christmas at  the gift shop. The lady was so nice. She not only gift wrapped it for me but got it ready for mailing. I also got a film, light bulb and stamps. In the bookstore I found Christmas cards with the Meetin' House on them so I got Mrs. Cowan one. Boy, am I tired. I've got to get a decent speech ready on my English major. I sent a post card home.