Long-time Chaminade University of Honolulu President Sue Wesselkamper is recovering at Kaiser Permanente after cancer surgery Monday.

Wesselkamper, who took over as Chaminade's president in 1995, remains in critical care, where she will be monitored for typical post-surgery infections, said Brother Bernard Ploeger, vice-president and provost at Chaminade, in a written statement yesterday.

Wesselkamper, or President Sue as she is known on campus, apparently began to show signs of illness around Thanks-giving week, said Kapono Ryan, a university spokeswoman. Colleagues began to notice Wesselkamper was looking "a little jaundiced" and urged her to seek medical care, said Ryan.

The news came as a shock to the small Kaimuki campus, especially since Wesselkamper has always been perceived as healthy, said Ryan.

"She walks; she's very healthy and athletic," said Ryan.

Sophomore Alysin Frickey Hauptner, 19, said she was saddened after hearing Wesselkamper would undergo major surgery.

"I'm keeping her in my prayers," said Hauptner, a student senator. "A lot of students have felt her absence just because we don't see her around the halls," she said.

Hundreds of students have signed a prayer scroll wishing Wesselkamper a speedy recovery and community members have sent e-mails and spoken with university administrators expressing their well-wishes.

"It always comes as a surprise and shock when someone within our small community is ill," said Gary Cordova, vice-president of institutional advancement.

Following the procedure, a surgical oncologist told relatives and friends of Wesselkamper he was guardedly optimistic that the entire tumor had been removed, said Ploeger. Wesselkamper is expected to remain in the hospital up to two weeks after she is moved from critical care, he said.

In a written statement, Ploeger said: "President Sue could not be more appreciative of all the prayers and support she has received. It has been a wonderful blessing at a very difficult time."

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.