New Northwestern President Steps Down After Cancer Diagnosis

Rebecca Blank resigned as president of Northwestern University on Monday, which was supposed to be her first day on campus, after learning she has an aggressive form of cancer.

“The job of president requires multiple events, long days, travel and constant energy, especially in the first year,” Blank, 66, said in a statement. “I have always been able to deliver this in previous jobs, but my doctors advise me that the treatments I am starting will make it almost impossible to do the job you need in a new president.”