Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation

A new generation of nerd students now rules Adams College, shifting the campus culture away from the traditional jocks. The Alpha Betas acknowledge the nerds' prominence and begin to adapt to their leadership. The balance of influence on campus is rewritten as nerds gain institutional clout.

Orrin Price joins the Adams College Board of Regents and uses his clout to install Stan Gable as the new dean of students. Stan's elevation signals a shift in campus governance and power dynamics. Price's influence foreshadows a harsher environment for the nerds.

Lewis grows a ponytail and asks to be called Lew, signaling a distancing from his nerd past. Betty gently reminds him why she fell in love with him, while Harold notices the change. Lewis pursues a more socially polished persona while the Dean's new power looms.

Harold and his friend successfully pledge Lambda Lambda Lambda, expanding the Tri-Lamb group. The new members include an obese kilt-wearing English inductee and a Korean Elvis impersonator who proudly clarifies his nationality. The Tri-Lambs celebrate the expansion on campus.

Harold navigates Tri-Lamb rush week and earns admission, but a barbeque celebrating the new members is interrupted by Alpha Betas in ski masks. Harassment escalates as the two groups collide on campus. The tension foreshadows a fight for legitimacy and safety for the Tri-Lambs.

The Tri-Lambs seek legal help but struggle to find alumni willing to assist. Dudley 'Booger' Dawson offers a warning to Lewis about the harassment, then leaves in disgust upon seeing Lewis socializing with Stan and Betty. The encounter underscores the growing rift between Lewis and the dean's circle.

Lewis tries to enlist Stan's support to defend the Tri-Lambs, but Stan refuses. The betrayal pushes Lewis to fully embrace his nerd identity, vowing to stand up for his friends. He begins to mobilize the nerd community against the administration.

Lewis arranges bail for the arrested Tri-Lambs by putting up his house as collateral. He then calls on all nerds in the city to participate in a massive strike that cripples basic utilities and services. The campus and city grind to a halt as the nerd movement escalates.

Orrin Price frames Lewis for embezzling funds and harvesting marijuana in the Tri-Lamb house, hoping to crush the strike. Stan, initially turning a blind eye, tolerates Price's actions but the scale of the frame becomes clear. The arrest leads to the suspension of the strike and mounting pressure on Price.

Lewis's old Tri-Lamb friends and his father return to support him at the trial. The judge denies Booger's arguments, underscoring the seriousness of the charges. The mood on campus shifts as allies rally behind the nerds.

Stan has a change of heart and testifies against Price, revealing that Price framed Lewis and planted marijuana. He also admits that he has always been a nerd and hid it from his family and peers. The testimony directly challenges Price's authority.

Price is arrested and the charges against Lewis are dismissed. The Tri-Lambs are cleared, and the Alpha Betas lose their Adams fraternity charter. The campus breathes a collective sigh of relief as justice appears to prevail.

Stan contemplates resigning as dean, feeling the weight of his actions. Lewis convinces him to remain in his role, reinforcing the bond between the two sides and signaling a new era for Adams College. The dean's future becomes intertwined with the nerds' fight for dignity.

With the conflict resolved, the nerds accept Stan Gable as part of their community, cementing nerd freedom at Adams College. The campus returns to a more inclusive environment where leadership is shared across groups. The movie closes with a renewed sense of belonging for the nerds.