Rebecca Blank

thumb|Rebecca Blank Rebecca Margaret Blank (September 19, 1955 – February 17, 2023) was an American economist and academic administrator. She was the ninth chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 2013 to 2022. She served in several senior roles in the United States Department of Commerce during the presidency of Barack Obama, including more than a year as acting United States Secretary of Commerce. Quotes about Rebecca Blank Our community has lost a brilliant leader who cared deeply about making this great public research university stronger, more accessible, better connected to the community and the state and better positioned to make a difference in the world. Her desire to elevate Wisconsin touched all facets of the institution. Recognizing that the university needed to tap new sources of revenue in order to thrive, she envisioned a multifaceted, strategic plan to move us forward. She built a collegial and talented team, was always available to problem solve, react to, or guide the essential work of the university. Becky tirelessly fought the good fight for all that she believed in. Her pathbreaking scholarship informed actionable policies for reducing poverty and inequality, for which she fiercely advocated in her various government and nongovernmental roles. Her legacy will live on through her many contributions to the world. She made a significant impression on all who knew her. Remembering Rebecca Blank Retrieved 19 April 2025 Our community has lost a brilliant leader who cared deeply about making this great public research university stronger, more accessible, better connected to the community and the state and better positioned to make a difference in the world. Former Chancellor Blank was a tireless leader whose impact on campus is undeniable. Former UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank dies of cancer Retrieved 19 April 2025 External links Category:Women politicians in the United States Category:United States Secretaries of Commerce Category:Economists from the United States Category:Women academics from the United States Category:Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni Category:People from Missouri Category:1955 births Category:2023 deaths Category:Women born in the 1950s