Retrospective views of the experiences of 1,406 former college presidents are reported with attention to their backgrounds, responsibilities, and decisions that led them from the president's office. After examining demographic data on this sample of a generation of college and university presidents, their midcareer changes and postcareer activities are considered. The study sample represented one of every two former presidents in the fall 1979 cohort. Information is provided on the following: highest degree earned, most recent position, field of academic study, length of service, and age when leaving office. Four subsets of the 1,406 institutions surveyed are also examined: state colleges, state universities, community and junior colleges, and private colleges. The thoughts of former presidents who are now faculty members are chronicled, as are the views of presidents who moved to other leadership positions in higher education. Attention is also directed to former presidents who found new career opportunities outside the academic world and to those who elected either limited or full retirement. Candid advice of the former presidents is included, and myths and realities about presidents and the presidency are covered. A 41-item bibliography is appended. (SW)