Rebecca Blank, former University of Wisconsin chancellor and Northwestern economics professor, dies at 67

MADISON, Wis. — Rebecca Clean, an economist who served as chancellor of the College of Wisconsin-Madison, has died, lower than a yr after asserting that she had an aggressive type of most cancers. She was 67.

Clean’s sickness compelled her to step apart final July from a brand new job as president of Northwestern College.

“Becky was a transformational chief for UW–Madison, serving throughout difficult occasions,” mentioned Provost Karl Scholz, the varsity’s chief educational officer. “Early in her tenure, she helped navigate troublesome price range cuts; late in her tenure, the COVID pandemic. She was sensible and decisive.”

Clean died Friday, the college mentioned.

She was chancellor in Madison from 2013 to 2022. Clean was credited with creating Bucky’s Tuition Promise — named after the varsity’s Badger mascot — which ensures scholarships and grants for college students whose family revenue is $65,000 or much less.

She introduced her most cancers prognosis final July, simply weeks after leaving Wisconsin.

“I wouldn’t have the phrases to specific to you the way dissatisfied and unhappy I’m to be telling you this,” Clean mentioned. “I used to be excited to be becoming a member of you at Northwestern, a world-class establishment that’s close to and pricey to my coronary heart.”

She had been an economics professor at Northwestern earlier in her profession.

Clean’s profession additionally included authorities service underneath Republican and Democratic presidents. She held senior posts within the Commerce Division underneath President Barack Obama.