An account about living in one of the last states to integrate public universities to include blacks is provided by former Mississippi State University (MSU) president (1960-1966), Dean W. Colvard. He recounts his initial reactions to the invitation to become MSU president in the face of predictable racial problems, and his reception as an outsider. Events affecting MSU and the state as a whole are described, including the admission of the first black student (James Meredith) to a Mississippi public institution, the governor's defiance of court orders and communications with federal leaders, riots at the University of Mississippi, and the threat of disaccreditation of all public institutions. Additional topics include: maneuvers by some state leaders and trustees to try to prevent a basketball team from participating in the national championship playoff because of the likelihood that it would compete with integrated teams; widespread racial disturbances that occurred as public institutions, including those not related to higher education, were forced to comply with the Civil Rights Act of 1964; steps taken to prepare the university and community for integration; and the admission of the first black student to MSU. An epilogue considers progress that has been made in the past 20 years. Documents mentioned in the book--such as court injunctions, board of trustee meeting minutes, and Governor Barnett's address-- are appended. (SW)