David Bressoud

David Bressoud is a mathematician, author, and educator specializing in combinatorics, number theory, special functions, and the pedagogy of undergraduate mathematics.

Bressoud received his Ph.D. in mathematics from Temple University in 1977. He spent the majority of his career at Pennsylvania State University, where he was a professor of mathematics. He also served as the head of the Department of Mathematics at Macalester College from 2012 to 2017.

Bressoud is widely recognized for his work on Euler's pentagonal number theorem, partitions, and q-series. He has authored several influential books, including "Proofs and Confirmations: The Story of the Alternating Sign Matrix Conjecture," "Second Year Calculus: From Celestial Mechanics to Special Relativity," "A Radical Approach to Real Analysis," and "Calculus," which is a textbook widely used in undergraduate mathematics education.

Beyond his research and writing, Bressoud has been deeply involved in efforts to improve mathematics education at all levels. He served as the Director of the Mathematical Association of America's (MAA) Tensor Women and Mathematics program from 2001 to 2005 and as the President of the MAA from 2009 to 2010. His work advocating for effective teaching methods and promoting diversity within mathematics has been impactful.