The account of Mankato State College which follows is not a chronicle of events. It is rather a seeking for understanding of what happened: what led up to, what was part of, what followed, of what this part and that meant - for the College and for society. It is thus an essay. The tactic has been to look at the account from different perspectives: the developing program, the enrollment, students, the state governing board, administration and faculty. Inevitably such a procedure means going over the historic events again. But since there are always many facets to each significant happening this may be an aid to understanding. A theme emerges in these first notes-the dream of opportunity through education - and its variations inform both whole and parts [p. 12].