This paper, originally presented at the Land O' Lakes Symposium held at Saint Louis University on September 21, 2017, explores the roles of those who shaped the Land O' Lakes Conference in July 1967. It also examines the issues these leaders in Catholic higher education experienced that shaped the nature of the relationship between the Vatican and Catholic higher education. This paper also takes a detailed look at issues faced by Catholic colleges and universities before and after the Land O' Lakes meeting, by sharing the story of the people involved in creating the Land O' Lakes statement.