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.
Capturing the Interests of Guys - Monday, October 14, 1963
If I didn't luckily somehow manage to capture the interests of some guys from time to time, life might be unbearable. I am in serious danger - grade wise right now. If I am not very careful ______. It would mean a great deal to me to figure some things out. Why can't I apply as much interest to studying for a personality test as I do toward securing a rainbow for our float from a Kansas City bank or organizing the LLC bus trip to Peter, Paul and Mary? Sometimes I'm frightenly disturbed, at other times deadly calm.
Antoinne's Pizza Villa - Sunday, October 13, 1963
Nancy, Carol DeMorte and I went in Carol's car to Antoinne's Pizza Villa for pizza, Italian salads and Cokes. It was really a good replacement of Sunday night sack lunches. I've got it bad. I've gotten to the place where I don't want to study at all. But it seems like so many other kids feel the same way. Some of my things were missing from the clothes line so I put up a note and Diane added a plea as president. Tonight most of it had been returned to my room. Well, I must finish studying for a test in personality which was just announced Friday.
The Kansas City Chiefs - Saturday, October 12, 1963
Evelyn and I, along with Karen Bentson, made a day of it in Kansas City. We went in on the 8:00 bus and got there just in time to see the Kansas City Chiefs and the rest of the American Royal Parade go past Macy's. Karen and I got our hair fixed at Macy's, and then we all went to DeClouds to get our drape pictures taken for Stephens. I also made contract arrangements with them for the yearbook. In the afternoon Evelyn and I read for some paper work at the library and Karen shopped. Evelyn and I saw "Son of Flubber" tonight. Karen Lewis had Bruce's car so we drove to Waids and discussed the yearbook over Cokes.
A Student Union Party - Friday, October 11, 1963
I'm glad this week is over. I really must settle down from here on out and really start studying. The doctor came at 7:00 tonight, so I was off work by 8:00. Margie came back, so Nancy and I helped her get re-settled and put some cat prints up in her room. I just got back from a student union party. Nancy is still there. She'll probably rap on my window to let her in (no key) as I had to with Pat - Sue let me in. Even the social problems test wasn't as easy as Gibson tests sometimes are.
Talking on Mackay Steps - Thursday, October 10, 1963
Nancy and I have just gotten back from taking a walk and talking on Mackay steps. We met Tom going back to Nickel so walked with him up to the health center and spoke softly to Margie through the screen. I very much enjoyed doing that with Nancy - it was such a nice evening. Evelyn, Teresa and I went down to Parkville this afternoon. I went up to ask the beautician about what to do with my hair for my Stephens picture. I made an appointment for Saturday morning, but since I can only get my picture taken in the morning, I may have to cancel the hair setting and go in on the bus. Statistics class was called off, so I had the whole afternoon free.
Psychological Statistics Problems - Wednesday, October 9, 1963
I spent the evening doing the statistics problems I should have done two nights ago. I'm still not sure they're all right. I talked to Mr.Carey this afternoon about my resource unit. He thought "Transportation" would be better to cover in 3-5 weeks than merely "The Airport." I also got a hold of a Missouri elementary art curriculum guide to send to Mom for this year. She's been wanting one for three years. I'm up to my old ways again. I have a very un-Stephens-like D average in phys psych. I hereby vow to ace the course from here on out.
DeCloud For Individual Pictures - Tuesday, October 8, 1963
These days go so fast. I spent from 2:30 to 4:00 at the health center watching TV, including an hour western show with Margie. Mrs. Flaherty didn't have any work for me to do. In fact, she had been going to tell me through the window that I didn't even have to come in, but then I'd have to sign my time sheet anyway. I didn't get my last statistics problem worked so had to hand in an incomplete. Karen had me calling photographers to see if we could find one other than DeCloud for individual pictures, but I "got off easy" by convincing her DeCloud was our best bet (true).
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