Photo courtesy of Kapono Ryan/Chaminade University
Chaminade president Sue Wesselkamper greets students Sept. 26 in the Mystical Rose Oratory.
They gathered in the Mystical Rose Oratory on the Chaminade University campus around noon on Sept. 26 to offer prayers and support for their president Sue Wesselkamper. But it was Wesselkamper who, with love and firmness, offered the encouragement, reminding her students, faculty, friends and colleagues of their shared mission to each other and to the school.
Wesselkamper is on a medical leave of absence. The university made the announcement on Sept. 19.
Wesselkamper requested the time off, upon the advisement of her doctors, after an apparent tumor recurrence and the continuing effects of surgery for bile duct cancer that took place three years ago.
University spokeswoman Kapono Ryan said the prognosis was “serious,” and if further treatment is needed Wesselkamper would remain in Hawaii.
During her absence, the university’s executive vice president and provost, Marianist Brother Bernie Ploeger, will serve as acting president.
Chaminade’s Sept. 19 statement said that President Wesselkamper has been greatly encouraged by the well wishes, prayers and support she continues to receive.