Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank named UW-Madison chancellor

Acting U.S. Secretary of Commerce Rebecca M. Blank, who said during a recent visit to the University of Wisconsin-Madison that she's tired of the political battles in Washington and has always considered college campuses her home, will be the next chancellor of Wisconsin's flagship university.

Sec Blank was chosen by UW System President Kevin P. Reilly and a special committee of the UW System Board of Regents. Following action by the full Board of Regents, scheduled for April 5, Blank plans to step into her new leadership role in July. Before going to Washington, she was at the University of Michigan and Northwestern University. Reaction to news of her move to Madison was swift from campus, the state Capitol and the White House. "I want to thank Dr. Blank for her hard work and exceptional service on behalf of the American people," President Barack Obama said in a statement. "Over the past four years I have asked Becky to take on several roles at the Department of Commerce, and in each one she has distinguished herself as a steady leader and a vital member of my economic team. A tireless advocate for American businesses, Becky has helped to increase our competitiveness, support our innovators and entrepreneurs, and bring good-paying jobs back to our shores. "While I will be sad to see her go this summer," President Obama said, "I want to wish her the best of luck in her exciting new role. I know the University of Wisconsin Badgers will have an outstanding chancellor for years to come." Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) said Blank was "a great pick."