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 today.

Wesselkamper, who headed Hawai'i's only Catholic university for 13 years, was diagnosed with cancer in 2005. She died peacefully from its complications 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.

"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 some $66 million for campus revitalization.

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

Wesselkamper, affectionately known as President Sue to the Chaminade ohana, 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."

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

Services are pending, university officials said.

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