A serious illness that afflicts a college president can harm more than the individual, as the chief executive may have to step away from fund raising and other critical duties. But when Sister Diana Stano, president of Ursuline College, received a diagnosis of breast cancer last summer, she decided to remain on the job and to keep her illness largely a secret.
Sister Diana continued to work three days a week while undergoing chemotherapy, Cleveland’s Plain Dealer reports, telling only a few other administrators at Ursuline and members of the governing board about her illness. She decided to go public after learning that she had responded well to the treatment.
This Saturday, Sister Diana, who two years ago lived in a dormitory to get a feel for student life, will run in a local charity race for cancer research. She plans to talk about her battle with breast cancer during an awards ceremony after the race. —Paul Fain
