David L. MacFarlane (March 13, 1893 – January 3, 1953) was an American educator most notable for serving as president of the Kansas State Teachers College (KSTC), now known as Emporia State University.

[1] David L. MacFarlane was born on March 13, 1893, in Dundee, Scotland and moved to West Warren, Massachusetts, at the age of five.

[3] During World War I, MacFarlane joined the United States Army serving as a second lieutenant of the infantry.

[6] During MacFarlane's tenure, he was able to gain funds to build the William Allen White Library on the south side of campus and build new residence halls on the north side of campus.

[1] in 1952, MacFarlane suffered from heart problems and later died, on January 3, 1953, while still in office.