07 July 2010 12:00AM
Former economics department professor Juanita Kreps passed away on July 5 after a long illness. Kreps served as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce during the presidency of Jimmy Carter, the first woman and the first economist to hold the position.
Kreps received her MA and Ph.D. in economics from Duke and later returned as a professor. She served academia, the public sector and the business world in numerous capacities throughout her lifetime.
"She had not one great career but rather a series of careers in which she has made a difference in the lives of students, colleagues and institutions," said Robert Clark, a former Duke Economics graduate student who is now a professor at North Carolina State University. Clark and Kreps collaborated together on various research projects, and Kreps became a valuable mentor to Clark.
A friend and colleague at Duke, Professor Allen Kelley shared the following thoughts about this trailblazing professor:
"Juanita Kreps was a pioneer in advancing the roles of women at Duke and in other areas as well. For example, her monumental successes in helping to open China during the Carter years represented a turning point in U.S. and Chinese economic relations. Her bold public policy initiatives to strengthen social security were fundamental to advancing our national retirement system. Finally, her deep affection for Duke was pivotal to accounting for her many contributions around the University."
Longtime Duke Economics staff member Rhonda Wioskowski remembers Kreps as a regular attendee of economics department holiday gatherings well after her retirement. Kreps remained active until her illness halted her a few years ago.
A memorial service will be held at the Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church, 304 E. Franklin St., in Chapel Hill at 2 p.m. Friday, July 9.
Read the article on Kreps from Duke's Office of News and Communications.
Read The New York Times article.
Read The News&Observer article.
Read a profile of Kreps written by friend and colleague Robert Clark.
Read reflections on Kreps written by friend and colleague Allen Kelley.
Economics Department