As he begins his term as President of State University, Jason Spradlin understands the challenges facing him, such as the need for additional funding from the state, the demands for more classroom and laboratory space, the ever increasing enrollment of students, the social demands, and adapting to living in the President's mansion. But he is not prepared for the reappearance of two old enemies released from prison. Jason and his family become targets of the two as they set out to exact revenge. The smashing of his wife Kathryn's car is followed by attempts to kill Jason with rifle shots, one of which wounds Maria, their long time housekeeper. After prolonged investigations by law enforcement, the siege ends with the shooting of one by a policeman and the suicide of the other. Jason becomes involved with the start up of a new athletic conference, the expansion of the university's campus, and the prevention of sexual attacks on coeds. His long association with the older man he rescued from the national park and their annual camp outs near Christmas ends sadly when Robert Cleveland dies, leaving a huge estate to the university.