Longtime Chaminade University President Mary Civille "Call me Sue" Wesselkamper, who took over the foundering Catholic college at the brink of closure and led it into an era of unprecedented academic and financial success, died yesterday.

Wesselkamper, who headed Hawai'i's only Catholic university for 13 years, was diagnosed with cancer in 2005. She died peacefully from its complications yesterday at 3:45 a.m. surrounded by family and friends, university officials said.

She was 66.

Wesselkamper is largely credited with saving Chaminade from fiscal crisis and the threat of closure in the mid-1990s. It was her vision that set the foundation for robust enrollment growth and record fundraising at the small Kaimuki campus, university officials said yesterday.

"She really will be remembered as Chaminade's second founder," said Brother Bernie Ploeger, Wesselkamper's longtime friend and acting president of Chaminade.

Ploeger said Wesselkamper came on as president when the school was more than $3.8 million in operating debt, faculty were leaving and the school's accreditation was about to be stripped away. Enrollment was a dismal 600 students.

Today, enrollment is about 2,800, the number of faculty has increased from 50 in 2000 to 90 and Wesselkamper recently capped off an eight-year fundraising effort that brought in about $66 million for campus revitalization.

"That's astonishing success for a school Chaminade's size," Ploeger said.

Wesselkamper made it all possible.

"It's that infectious spirit that she had. That belief that no challenge is impossible," he said. "She was a believer (it) was too important to just let Chaminade die."

'PRESIDENT SUE'

Wesselkamper, affectionately known as President Sue to the Chaminade 'ohana, was also protective of her students, chatting them up about life and inviting groups over to her home for Sunday brunch. She had a way of making people feel special.

Chaminade was founded in 1955 by the Society of Mary, a Catholic order dedicated to the education of leaders. But Wesselkamper felt the school had lost its connection to the mission of the Marianists. As its president, she re-emphasized the school's spiritual roots.

Brother Jerome Bommer, the university's rector, said he worked closely with Wesselkamper to implement her vision of a school dedicated to the Marianist mission of community involvement and service.

"She believed that God was there in her life. Her whole life was a prayer," he said. "She wanted to take Chaminade off the hill and into the community."

Bommer met Wesselkamper in 2003 when she invited him to Hawai'i for a job interview. Coming from the Midwest, Bommer said he had no intention of accepting a job in Honolulu.

"As I went through these interviews, I became aware of her influence and how much she inspired everyone who was here," he said. "When I left, I wanted the job. And I wanted it because of her and all her energy and enthusiasm."

No one believed in Chaminade more than Wesselkamper did, Bommer said. Her enthusiasm for Chaminade showed the most when visitors happened to be on campus. She would load them into her little golf cart and zip up and down the hills showing off the school's historic buildings.

"She could have easily handed it off to someone else. But if she had the time, she'd give the tour. And it would be done enthusiastically. It would be done like you're the most important person in the world," Bommer said.

Wesselkamper was known to get caught up in her enthusiasm for her school. After presiding over her first graduation at the university, she gave a speech at a hall on campus. In the middle of her address — with her excitement building — she accidentally slapped her hand into the middle of the graduation cake.

"There was that kind of playful sense of abandon that we all loved," Ploeger said.

Wesselkamper was not afraid to walk up to groups of students and ask them how she could help.

"She was the quintessential greeter. The inside joke is, if you have someplace to be, don't walk with Sue," Ploeger said, with a chuckle.

SUNDAY BRUNCHES

Wesselkamper would hold brunch on Sundays and invite groups of eight to 12 students to join her at her Kahala home.

That was all part of her dedication to her students, said Grissel Benitez-Hodge, dean of students at Chaminade.

"For her, academics came first, but the life of the students and campus life were also so important to her," Benitez-Hodge said.

Benitez-Hodge said Wesselkamper would often ask her whether Chaminade was accomplishing its goal.

"She always wanted to know, 'Grissel, what are we doing to ensure that our students are successful?' " Benitez-Hodge said.

While Chaminade's students are still on winter break, Benitez-Hodge said she received a phone call from a student in New Jersey expressing condolences.

"The students have already put the information on their Facebook pages and are asking for prayers for President Sue," Benitez-Hodge said.

"Students felt very connected to her. She was highly respected and loved by students."

STRUCK BY CANCER

Wesselkamper had suffered from cancer since 2005. In December 2006, she underwent what was described as "very major" cancer surgery to her bile duct.

Following the procedure, a surgical oncologist told relatives and friends of Wesselkamper that he was guardedly optimistic that the entire tumor had been removed.

In September 2008, the university announced that Wesselkamper would be taking a leave because of a recurrence of the cancer.

Even in sickness, Wesselkamper was still actively involved in the university. Having announced her leave of absence the second time, the university planned a prayer service in her honor. In true President Sue style, she showed up.

"She was acting out life as she understood it — that God was good and we are blessed to be living," Bommer said.

Gov. Linda Lingle sent her condolences to the Wesselkamper family yesterday.

"Sue leaves a lasting legacy at Chaminade University and in our community. She will be deeply missed by everyone she touched. I will personally miss her bright smile and indomitable optimistic spirit," Lingle said in a written statement.

University of Hawai'i President David McClain also expressed how much Wesselkamper meant to Hawai'i's higher education community.

"Sue Wesselkamper was an outstanding university president and a dear friend. Her expertise, charisma and passion took Chaminade University to new heights, both academically and financially. I valued our partnership, and benefited greatly from her advice and counsel. Wendie (McClain) and I convey our deepest sympathies to her husband, Tom, and to her family, and to the entire Chaminade community. We will miss her greatly," McClain wrote in an e-mail.

Last month, Chaminade conferred on Wesselkamper its degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, "in recognition of her unparalleled accomplishments during her tenure as president." Education and community leaders attended, including McClain and Brigham Young University-Hawaii President Steven Wheelwright.

She is survived by her husband, Tom, her daughter, Suzanne, and her son, David.

Services are pending, university officials said.