UR Mathematics Professor Della Dumbaugh Named Editor-in-Chief of American Mathematical Monthly

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Della Dumbaugh, assistant chair and professor of mathematics, was named editor-in-chief of American Mathematical Monthly, a publication of the Mathematical Association of America often touted as the most widely read mathematics journal in the world. Dumbaugh will be the second woman to serve as editor of the publication, which was first established in 1894.

Dumbaugh, who has served on UR’s faculty for more than 25 years, teaches across the mathematics curriculum, coordinates the mathematics program, and specializes in the history of mathematics. She led the creation of the first website dedicated to American mathematics.

As editor of the Monthly, Dumbaugh will manage production, set the editorial tone, and vet all submitted articles. Dumbaugh has contributed to the journal herself, publishing a paper on a critical omission in the history of number theory.

Dumbaugh says she hopes to expand the readership and authorship to reflect the changing mathematical community and is particularly interested in how the journal can build a stronger mathematical community on its pages and beyond.

“I have enjoyed reading the American Mathematical Monthly since my undergraduate years, so I was thrilled to learn Della would be the next editor,” said Kathy Hoke, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. “Della has an unparalleled skill set that makes her ideal for this job, including strong communication skills and an unbounded excitement and passion for mathematics and mathematics teaching. Editorship of this journal will raise the national profile of our department.”

The National Science Foundation sponsored a grant for a program Dumbaugh co-designed with her colleague Heather Russell to advance women in mathematics, and she has received the John M. Smith Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching from the Mathematical Association of America’s Maryland, D.C., Virginia section.

Dumbaugh began her term as editor-elect Jan. 1, and will assume responsibilities as editor Jan. 1, 2022.

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