Born to working-class parents in Toledo, she was the first in her family to go to college, graduating from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1968. She earned her master’s degree and pursued doctoral studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Not bad for a Polish-American kid from Toledo.
Category: UW-Madison Related
Meet the Bay Area Entrepreneurs Churning out South Asian Ice Cream and Desi Desserts
She worked at local shops and attended a course on ice cream at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and in 2018 formed Koolfi Creamery, becoming the brand’s chief ice cream engineer while Anji helps run the business as a co-founder.
Madison council votes to redefine ‘family’ in zoning code
While some people speaking during the council’s public comment period Tuesday night made comparisons of the situation today to that of the 1960s, the report says those considerations do not take into account changes to UW enrollment and that there are significantly fewer non-UW campus area housing options available.
‘It’s going to be hard’: UW students anxious as US Supreme Court appears poised to reject loan forgiveness
Across the country, 43 million Americans, including students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, are waiting to see if some or all of their student loans could be forgiven as the U.S. Supreme Court started hearing arguments about President Joe Biden’s program’s legality.
Sara Nelson Could Be the Greatest Labor Secretary Since the New Deal
When Sara Nelson agreed to come to Madison, Wis., to discuss the future of labor at an ideas festival on the University of Wisconsin campus in the fall of 2021, it was supposed to be just another appearance by one of America’s most engaged and energetic labor leaders. Then, Nelson, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants, ended up having a pair of surgeries that required her to use a wheelchair for several months. Of course, she could have canceled the trip. But that’s not how Sara Nelson rolls.
Read our 2000 interview with Oscar-winning UW grad Walter Mirisch
Walter Mirisch, a 1942 UW-Madison graduate and Oscar-winning producer of films like “In the Heat of the Night” and “West Side Story,” died Friday at 101.
Whitney Museum’s first Latina senior curator wants to elevate diverse artists
Details: Puerto Rican-born Guerrero, who received her doctorate degree in art history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, joined the Whitney in 2017 and was most recently an associate curator.
A touching video shows Madison-area nonprofit connecting with Ukrainian refugees
Schumaker runs the Memory Project, a nonprofit he founded as a student at UW-Madison in 2004 and now operates out of an office in his Middleton garage. Over the years the organization (at memoryproject.org) has recruited tens of thousands of gifted teenage artists around the world to create more than 200,000 portraits of children living in orphanages, refugee camps and other difficult circumstances.
A Connecticut cheese with Wisconsin roots crowned U.S. champion
The first runner-up, with a score of 98.61, was Vintage Cupola American Original Cheese, a hard raw milk cheese made by Door Artisan Cheese Company in Egg Harbor for Red Barn Family Farms in Appleton … The Cupola cheese was developed with the Center for Dairy Research at UW-Madison.
UniverCity Year program adds nine new Wisconsin communities to alliance for 2022-25
In a record-setting cohort, the UniverCity Year (UCY) program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison announced partnerships with nine new communities for the 2022-25 academic years. These collaborations will leverage university resources to move forward with the different communities’ goals to address specific issues facing their residents.
UW Lobbying Day 2023 focuses on mental health funding, affordable housing crisis
Nineteen University of Wisconsin students attended UW Lobbying Day 2023 to persuade Wisconsin legislators on the importance of a focus on mental health and housing crisis in the state budget, according to UW-Madison Legislative Affairs Committee Chair MGR Govindarajan.
What Happened to Jefferson Rodríguez
Ingolia learned Spanish in school, taking classes starting in the fifth grade in her native Louisiana and continuing through her freshman year at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Miss America Grace Stanke on sexism, social media, nuclear engineering and what she wishes she could tell her younger self
In the last few days, the University of Wisconsin-Madison nuclear engineering student answered questions and played the violin during an appearance at her college campus, unveiled her crown, sash and other items for “A Woman Who Can” exhibition in Oshkosh, and attended a meet-and-greet at Point Beach Nuclear Plant in Two Rivers.
U.S. Cheese Championship returns as judge sees firsthand the surge in artisan cheeses
(John) Jaeggi, who works at the Center for Dairy Research at UW-Madison, is one of 42 judges from around the country charged with evaluating 2,249 entries in 113 classes in the contest, which concludes Thursday and is only open to U.S. dairy producers. The World Championship Cheese Contest is held on alternating years at Monona Terrace in Madison and, like its name indicates, is open to dairy producers around the world.
DeSantis pokes at Pritzker in Illinois
— Rebecca Blank dies at 67; renowned economist led the University of Wisconsin: “Blank was president-elect of Northwestern University last year when a cancer diagnosis led her to step down,” via The Associated Press.
Former UW Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank dies
Former UW Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank has died. Blank, who led the university for nearly a decade, died Friday. She served as the school’s chancellor from 2013 to 2022, before leaving to become president of Northwestern University.
‘She really cared’: UW-Madison alum remembers Rebecca Blank, reflects on her legacy
Barni Shiferaw crossed paths with Rebecca Blank several times during his senior year at UW-Madison. As the vice president for the Class of 2022, he met with Blank to talk about changes the student body wanted to see.
“It was an honor for me,” he said. “There’s not a lot of people at this campus who have the combination of the intelligence that she does, but then also the personability to make these things happen.”
Rusty crayfish disappearing from some northern Wisconsin lakes — and that’s a good thing
Danny Szydlowski, who is now working on a Ph.D. in freshwater and marine science at UW-Madison’s Center for Limnology, said that the declines could be caused by a fungal disease and by crayfish destroying their own habitat. The result has allowed native plants, snails and bluegill to recover, helping restore the ecosystems in several lakes.
Photos: Former UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank through the years
The former chancellor had a profound impact on Wisconsin, including Badgers’ athletics. Here is a look at her career at UW in photos.
Rebecca Blank remembered for support of Wisconsin athletics, Badgers players
“Obviously, her love for the university stood out,” McIntosh said in an exclusive interview with BadgerExtra on Saturday. “Her support of our program. But even closer to home, her support of our student-athletes. She understood the impact of athletics here and what it can do for the people that come through our program. She was there every step of the way to help support us.”
The Millennial Scientist Overseeing America’s Nuclear Power Revival
I became a nuclear engineering PhD student at the University of Wisconsin. And the rest is history. I became a postdoc at Berkeley, a professor at the University of Illinois. I had no aspirations for a career in government, but someone put my name in the hat, and here I am in this administration, as a political appointee.
Rebecca Blank, ‘transformational’ former UW-Madison chancellor, dies
In her near-decade of tenure at UW-Madison, she accelerated the university’s research programs, achieved record-high graduation rates and developed scholarship programs catering to low-income students within the state. Her work also expanded the number of faculty and students, as well as put the campus’ finances back on track after the pandemic brought losses in revenue.
UW-Madison alumni remember former Chancellor Rebecca Blank
Video: The University of Wisconsin announced on Saturday that former Chancellor Rebecca Blank died at 67. Her legacy and life leave a profound impact.
Federal and Local Leaders Pay Tribute to Rebecca Blank
Video: federal and state leaders pay tribute via social media.
Former UW Chancellor Rebecca Blank dies of cancer
After a seven month-long battle with an aggressive form of cancer, Blank passed away peacefully with her family by her side, according to Mnookin’s message. Blank was 67 years old.
UW-Madison, UWPD aware of defaced transgender pride stickers
UW-Madison and the UW-Madison Police Department said they are aware of defaced transgender pride stickers found on campus, according to a statement shared with 27 News.
Rebecca Blank, former UW–Madison chancellor, dies of cancer
Rebecca M. Blank, an economist and educator who served in high-level U.S. government and academic positions and, for nine years, as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, died of cancer on Feb. 17 near Madison, Wisconsin. She was 67.
Former UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank dies after battle with cancer
UW-Madison announced Blank’s passing on Saturday. She served as the school’s chancellor from 2013 to 2022, before leaving to become president of Northwestern University. She announced last year that she would not be taking the position after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
Former UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank dies at 67
Former UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank, who helped put a university education in reach for low-income students through the Bucky’s Tuition Promise, steered the university through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and brought billions in gifts and donations to expand research enterprise, died Friday of cancer. She was 67.
Former UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank dies of cancer at age 67
One of the longest-serving chancellors in recent UW-Madison history, Blank is credited with gaining the ability to enroll more out-of-state students, launching a full-tuition scholarship program for low-income Wisconsin students, and leading a $4 billion fundraising campaign. She’s remembered for smaller gestures, too, like bringing commencement back to Camp Randall Stadium.
Former Chancellor Rebecca Blank dies at 67 after cancer battle
Blank passed away Friday evening after a seven month battle with cancer, according to an email sent by current Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin to the campus community.
Former UW-Madison chancellor dies of cancer
A former University of Wisconsin-Madison chancellor died of cancer on Feb. 17, the UW System said on Saturday.
Former UW-Madison chancellor dies of cancer
Blank served as chancellor in Madison from 2013 up until last year when she announced plans to move to Northwestern University. Blank withdrew from that role after her cancer diagnosis.
Evers presents Miss America with certificate of recognition
Evers presented 20-year-old Grace Stanke with a certificate of recognition Saturday for her time as Miss Wisconsin, as a Nuclear Engineering student at UW-Madison and her accomplishment of winning Miss America.
UW-Madison students react to Becky Blank’s passing
Students on the UW campus said most of their peers knew of the former chancellor’s cancer diagnosis announced in July, but her death shocked many.
Rebecca Blank’s unique blend of intellect, grace and empathy
Last May, Rebecca Blank was discussing what she regarded as the major unresolved issues she would leave behind at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Former NU president-elect dies of cancer
She was preparing to join Northwestern after that, but in July 2022, she announced that she had been diagnosed with cancer and would step down from her role as president-elect in order to focus on her health and her family.
Rebecca Blank dies at 67; renowned economist led the University of Wisconsin
Rebecca Blank, an economist who served as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has died, less than a year after announcing that she had an aggressive form of cancer. She was 67.
‘There’s so much to love about Becky’: Rebecca Blank’s husband weighs in on her life and legacy
Tributes to former UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank have been pouring in from around the world since news of her tragic death came out Saturday. Now, the person who knows her best is also sharing a tribute.
Whitney Names Its First Latino Senior Curator
Guerrero, who holds a Ph.D. in art history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, came to the Whitney from the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles, where she helped organize the 2017 exhibition “Radical Women: Latin American Art, 1960-1985.”
Robert Geddes, 99, Transformative Architecture Dean at Princeton, Dies
He spent three years in the Army Air Forces, teaching radar operations, mostly in Madison, Wis. There he met Evelyn Basse, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin.
Miss America 2023 returning to Madison this week
Grace Stanke will be in town for several events, including a meet-and-greet Friday at a special homecoming event at Shannon Hall Lobby at the UW-Madison Memorial Union. UW-Madison staff, students and the public will get the chance to meet and take photographs with Stanke from 4:00-6:30 p.m. The event is free.
Meet Wisconsin’s new DNR secretary Adam Payne. Here’s what he has to say about wolves, factory farms and clean water
Raised in Stevens Point, Payne grew up learning how to fish, trap and hunt from his father along the Wisconsin River. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in communications and urban and regional planning.
Scout, a dog treated at UW-Madison, appears in Super Bowl ad
Adog that brought national attention to UW-Madison’s vet school when he was featured in a 2020 Super Bowl ad made an appearance in another ad Sunday night.
Dog who received cancer treatment at UW–Madison to be honored in Super Bowl ad
A golden retriever whose story captured the hearts of Super Bowl viewers three years ago will be honored again this Sunday.
UW-Madison students create MadHousing dorm review website
Ahead of his freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pranav Poddutoori scoured Reddit for guidance on which dorms might be best to live in.
UW-Madison grad’s Watergate documentary nominated for Oscar
In the 1990s, Debra McClutchy took her camera into Madison music venues like Club de Wash and O’Cayz Corral, gathering footage for a documentary on women musicians who rocked Madison. Next month, she’ll go to the Academy Awards, nominated for a documentary about a woman who rocked Washington, D.C., during the Watergate scandal.
Before Biden, see presidential visits to Madison in photos
According to an article on the Wisconsin Historical Society website, 13 U.S. presidents have come to Wisconsin’s capital city — though the list was compiled before President Barack Obama visited Madisonians during his tenure. The University of Wisconsin-Madison also compiled a list in 2010 of past, sitting and future presidents who have visited campus.
UW-Madison Vehicle Club designed 3-wheel bike that can handle snow and ice
The UW-Madison Human Powered Vehicle Club’s attempt to create a human-powered recumbent bike didn’t quite pan out. But the bike the HPVC ultimately created never fails to turn heads.
UW-Madison engineering students create an electric bike that tops speeds of 35 miles an hour
Video: Members of the UW-Madison Human Powered Vehicle Club have created a bike that’s not-so-human powered, as the competition they’re preparing for this spring has since allowed batteries to be integrated as e-bikes grow in popularity.
Paul Ryan: Debt ceiling talks will get ‘closer to the wire’
Ryan will be speaking at UW-Madison on February 22nd. His speech will cover some of the topics he seeks to address in his book, including ways to maintain the nation’s social contract.
UW-Madison policy says road salt is toxic. So why did it dump so much?
According to UW-Madison spokeswoman Kelly Tyrrell, the university tries to minimize its salt use to protect the city’s waterways. Some of those efforts include closing redundant sidewalks and steps, removing snow prior to salting and using a liquid brine solution before snow falls.
‘There were angels around me,’ Madison woman says after she’s rescued from lake
Klingelhoets, 72, a former UW-Madison tennis coach, grabbed his auger and made a quick dash to the exhausted and panicked Keenan, who was fighting for her life. While holding the blade end of the cork-screw auger, Klingelhoets extended the handle end to Keenan, who grabbed hold, and then, at the urging of Klingelhoets, began kicking her feet as Klingelhoets pulled, his boots planted in the snow to give him leverage. Working together, Keenan was finally able to slide on her belly onto thicker ice, then crawl and ultimately walk away from the open water.
Ex-Badgers linebacker T.J. Edwards went from undrafted to vital cog for Super Bowl-bound Eagles. Now he faces another ex-Badger, Leo Chenal
Former University of Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Edwards has been an essential cog for the Super Bowl-bound Philadelphia Eagles, working his way up from undrafted free agent to the best linebacker on an NFC champion team.
An accounting firm with a major Milwaukee office wanted to encourage Black developers. Here’s their strategy.
Noted: “Milwaukee is this beacon of underrepresented development talent,” said Matt Paschall, a University of Wisconsin-Madison alum who leads the Baker Tilly program.
Former Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling has game of his life, helping Chiefs to Super Bowl
Noted: The Super Bowl will also feature a pair of former Badgers going head-to-head. Rookie Leo Chenal, a star linebacker for the University of Wisconsin before turning pro after the 2021 season, plays largely on special teams for the Chiefs. Linebacker T.J. Edwards, who went undrafted in 2019 despite four solid years with UW, has become one of the best players on Philadelphia’s defense.
15 things to know about Charlie Berens, including how he started ‘Manitowoc Minute’ and where he went to high school
Noted: He studied journalism and environmental geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he graduated in 2009. Berens delivered his alma mater’s winter commencement address at the Kohl Center in December.
I’ll Never Be Shamed Into Refinancing My $62,000 Student Loan Debt
When I left the University of Wisconsin in 2011, I’d borrowed around $30,000 in student loans. I don’t know the exact balance, because I didn’t think about or look at the debt for at least four years. When a woman from the university’s financial aid office finally got me on the phone in late 2014, she let me know my loans were (obviously) in default. She also explained how to get out.
NYT writer says AIPAC, Jewish groups using ‘power and influence’ to stop US from being tough on Israel
The New York Times writer then said that if Netanyahu “wanted to speak tomorrow” at the University of Wisconsin, “they’d have to bring out the National Guard,” arguing the prime minister couldn’t address the campus due to large-scale opposition.
Women’s march draws more than a thousand to Madison on 50
Noted: Protesters participating Sunday’s demonstration first gathered on the campus of University of Wisconsin-Madison, marched on Madison’s most well-known thoroughfare of State Street, and concluded the event with a two-hour rally in the rotunda of the state Capitol.