James T. Anderson was acting president of the University of Nevada, Reno from 1973 to 1974. An engineer and an educator, Dr. Anderson arrived at the university in Reno in 1963 to head the College of Engineering. He served as dean of the College of Engineering and vice president for Academic Affairs until 1973, when he was recommended for the position of acting president by President N. Edd Miller.

During the year in which Dr. Anderson served as acting president, he made a number of positive contributions to aid the university. He instituted a new system of submitting biennial budgets that forced better planning; he tried to reach out into the larger community to help people in understanding the university; he presided over the university's centennial celebration in a manner that set a pattern for future observances; and he shepherded it through the 1973 energy crisis, and made the campus aware of the need for energy conservation. Dr. Anderson accomplished more than might have been expected for a short-term assignment as acting president.

Dr. James Anderson's memoir is the second volume in the Oral History Program's series of memoirs of former presidents of the University of Nevada, Reno. The first was recorded by President N. Edd Miller.