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. He is also known for his role as a Columbia University administrator during the Columbia University protests of 1968. Truman was an elected member of both the American Philosophical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.[2]

David Truman
14th President of
Mount Holyoke College
In office
1969–1978
Preceded byMeribeth E. Cameron
Succeeded byElizabeth Topham Kennan
Dean of Columbia College
In office
1963–1967
Preceded byJohn Gorham Palfrey
Succeeded byHenry S. Coleman (interim)
Personal details
Born(1913-06-01)June 1, 1913
Evanston, Illinois
DiedAugust 28, 2003(2003-08-28) (aged 90)
Sarasota, Florida
Alma materAmherst College
University of Chicago
ProfessionProfessor

Background and family

edit

Truman was born and raised in Highpoint, NC. He received his B.A. from Amherst College and his doctorate from the University of Chicago.

Political science

edit

Truman was a prominent political scientist and is known for his contributions to the theory of political pluralism.

Administrative roles

edit

He taught at a number of institutions before joining Columbia University in 1950. 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). In 1969, Truman "stepped down after a tumultuous year of student unrest. During the student-lead [sic] takeover of the University, Truman was continually mentioned as a University administrator who retained the student body's respect."[3]

Truman became president of Mount Holyoke College in 1969 and stayed until 1978. Truman oversaw the decision to remain a woman's college in 1971.[4]

His obituary from Mount Holyoke noted, "both at Columbia and Mount Holyoke, Truman was involved in dealing with the significant student unrest of the late 1960s and 1970s. 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."[5]

Scholarship

edit
  • Administrative Decentralization (1940)
  • The Governmental Process: Political Interests and Public Opinion. New York: Knopf, 1951
  • The Congressional Party (1959)

References

edit
  1. ^ Foundation, John Simon Guggenheim Memorial (1 January 1955). "Reports of the Secretary & of the Treasurer". John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "APS Member History". search.amphilsoc.org. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
  3. ^ "Columbia News ::: Former Provost, University Vice President David Truman Dies".
  4. ^ "A Detailed History". 18 April 2012. Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  5. ^ "In Memoriam: President David Truman, 1913–2003". Archived from the original on 2005-03-14. Retrieved 2005-10-20.
Academic offices
Preceded by President of Mount Holyoke College
1969–1978
Succeeded by
Preceded by Dean of Columbia College
1963–1967
Succeeded by