University of Missouri students cheered on Monday after school system president Timothy Wolfe resigned amid mounting pressure from faculty, staff and many student groups.
A series of racist acts on campus this year and perceived inaction from Wolfe led to protests and demands for the president to leave office.
So who were the students who made it happen?
The student who went on hunger strike
Graduate student Jonathan Butler brought national attention to the problems at the University of Missouri when he went on hunger strike to force Wolfe's resignation.
“During this hunger strike, I will not consume any food or nutritional sustenance at the expense of my health until either Tim Wolfe is removed from office or my internal organs fail and my life is lost," Butler wrote to University of Missouri system administrators in his announcement.
Justice is not convenient. Remember that. #ConcernedStudent1950— JB. (@_JonathanButler) November 9, 2015
Wolfe met with Butler days later and said he was "concerned" for the student's health. But Butler continued his strike until a much more public group of students backed him up.
The #MizzouHungerStrike is officially over!— JB. (@_JonathanButler) November 9, 2015
The football team
The University of Missouri football team made the school's protests a front-page story across the country when they went on strike on Saturday.
The Mizzou Family stands as one. We are united. We are behind our players. #ConcernedStudent1950 GP pic.twitter.com/fMHbPPTTKl— Coach Gary Pinkel (@GaryPinkel) November 8, 2015
"After meeting with the team this morning, it is clear they do not plan to return to practice until Jonathan resumes eating," head coach Gary Pinkel and athletic director Mack Rhoades said in a statement on Sunday.
Though ESPN reported that not all players--black or white--supported the strike, Pinkel's photo was powerful. And so was the potential damage. If Missouri forfeited its upcoming game against Brigham Young University, the school would be contractually obligated to pay their opponent $1 million. With the game just a few days away, the school had to make an immediate decision.
Black student groups
The football team demanded media coverage, but protests at the university began with two student groups--Concerned Student 1950 and Legion of Black Collegians.
Members of the group Legion of Black Collegians sent out a letter on social media on Oct. 5 stating that a man had called their members a racial slur the night before.
@__HighQuality wrote a letter about the events yesterday evening. In case you're wondering why we are angry. pic.twitter.com/3ZNOTV4Qim— LBC (@MizzouLBC) October 5, 2015
The university announced diversity training for faculty, staff and students following the letter, but activists weren't satisfied. Activists with Concerned Student 1950 blocked Wolfe's car on Oct. 10 during a homecoming protest, but he refused to leave his vehicle and meet with them. The group soon called for his resignation, and began promoting a university boycott.
Please remember to continue to #BoycottUM !!!! They don't deserve anymore of our dollars! Please don't spend money at MU!— ConcernedStudent1950 (@CS_1950) November 9, 2015
High school seniors do not accept admission to any University of Missouri School until @UMPrez is no longer president! #BoycottUM— ConcernedStudent1950 (@CS_1950) November 9, 2015
And though Wolfe resigned on Monday, the group says the university still has work to do.
Brothers and Sisters, this is a momentus occassion but do not be moved! Our Brother can eat, but we are still owed Demands! Stay strong!— ConcernedStudent1950 (@CS_1950) November 9, 2015