In an email to students, faculty, staff, and alumni, Towson University President Maravene Loeschke announced that she would be taking a leave of absence from her position through December.
The announcement, coming about a week before the fall semester begins, came as something of a surprise. According to the Baltimore Sun, Loeschke has been diagnosed with cancer of the adrenal gland in the spring. However, in a letter to the Towson Community written earlier this summer, Loeschke declared that her radiation treatments were complete, and that she was “cancer free and feeling great.” Her leave of absence email cited “health and personal challenges” as the reason for her four-month leave.
During that period, Provost Timothy Chandler will serve as acting president, and Vice Provost Maggie Reitz will take over his role as provost.
Hard news to hear. Cancer is a bitch.