This book is the story of how events, timing, relationships and people of goodwill converged at a particular moment in time to achieve a vision for Atlanta University, Clark College and for American higher education that many predicted was not possible in the Atlanta University Center. It describes the formation and development of the consolidated institution from 1988 to 2002 and the historical context that made it possible for two independent institutions with proud histories and legacies of over 100 years each to consolidate. A careful, strategic and deliberate planning process, endorsed by both boards of trustees, is outlined which created the only exclusively private, comprehensive historically black university in the Nation with academic programs of study and research from the freshman year through the doctorate.