David Bicknell Truman (June 1, 1913 – August 28, 2003)[1] was an American academic who served as the 14th president of Mount Holyoke College from 1969–1978.
There, in addition to teaching political science, he undertook a number of administrative roles, serving successively as head of the department of public law and government (1959–61), Dean of Columbia College (1962–67), and Vice-President and Provost (1967–69).
"[3] Truman became president of Mount Holyoke College in 1969 and stayed until 1978.
At both campuses he faced student protests and takeovers regarding such difficult issues as race and the Vietnam War.
Despite these challenges, which were common on college campuses during the Vietnam Era, Truman left a lasting legacy as a warm and caring leader.