Chaminade University will honor its eighth and longest-serving president, Mary (Sue) Civille Wesselkamper, D.S.W., and her legacy during its 2008 Fall Commencement Ceremony at 7 p.m. Monday in the Neal Blaisdell Concert Hall, according to a news release from the university.

President Sue, as she is referred to at Chaminade, will be awarded the university's degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa. Wesselkamper was installed as president in the fall of 1995 and took a medical leave of absence this fall due to the reoccurrence of inoperable cancer. Considered the driving force of Chaminade's success, she has raised more than $66 million in the last nine years, the news release said.

"Sue is genuinely loved by faculty, staff and students by the Chaminade 'ohana," said Bro. Bernard Ploeger, Chaminade's acting president. "Sue's personal image — her integrity, faith, belief in educating in the family spirit and commitment to academic quality mirrors well the Catholic, Marianist tradition of our university. Her 13-year tenure as president has created a vibrant legacy and rock solid foundation that we can build a good future on," Ploeger said in the news release.

Joanna Sullivan will also receive a degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa this December from Chaminade. A close friend of Wesselkamper, Sullivan has been a strong supporter of both Wesselkamper and Chaminade. In November, the Association of Fundraising Professionals — Aloha Chapter cited Sullivan's generous funding of the library, in its selection of Sullivan and family for its 2008 Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year award.

Approximately 260 Chaminade students will receive their degrees this December, celebrating their achievements with family members and friends. The commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Adm. Timothy J. Keating, USN, will be Chaminade University's special commencement guest speaker. Student salutatory speakers include Victoria Correa, undergraduate speaker, and Andrea Maglasang, graduate speaker.