Truman State University maintains a long tradition of naming its campus buildings, including educational facilities and
dormitories, after its previous university presidents.
- Joseph Baldwin (1867-1881)
- William P. Nason (1881-1882)
- Joseph Blanton (1882-1891)
- William D. Dobson (1891-1899)
- John R. Kirk (1891-1899) Contrary to popular belief, the city of Kirksville
was not named in honor of John R. Kirk.
- Eugene Fair (1925-1937)
- Walter H. Ryle (1937-1967)
- F. Clark Elkins (1967-1969)
- Eli F. Mittler (1969-1970)
- Charles J. McClain (1970-1989)
- Robert A. Dager (1989-1990)
- Russell G. Warren (1990-1994)
- W. Jack Magruder (1994-2003) Widely popular, Magruder was known for often being able to obtain necessary funding from the
state legislature for the university, and during
his administration the phrase "Truman is the Harvard of the Midwest" came into use.
- Barbara Dixon (2003-Present) Provoking outrage in the summer of 2003 for her use of
university funds during a budget crisis to renovate the university-provided President's Mansion, Dixon's installation as
university president was held in November of 2003.