Kent State University President Beverly Warren announced Thursday she has breast cancer. She said in a university-wide email she will undergo surgery and will work on a reduced schedule during her recovery.

“My outstanding medical team at the Cleveland Clinic has assured me that the cancer is in a very early stage and that there is high expectation for a full recovery,” Warren said in the email.

Senior vice presidents Todd Diacon and Mark Polatajko will lead the university in her absence, according to the email.

Warren said the cancer was detected during a routine physical examination.

“I hope that my experience will reinforce the value of routine preventive health care and the importance of a commitment to wellness that will help us realize our vision of Kent State University as one of the nation’s healthiest campuses,” she wrote in the email.

“Beverly Warren shows exceptional strength in her tenure as president and that strength we know will serve her well during this challenge,” said Dennis Eckart, chair of the Board of Trustees, in an email. “We have great confidence in her medical team and the senior leadership of the university. We join the Kent State family in wishing her well.”

Warren was hired as the university’s 12th president in July 2014 after serving as provost at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Former President Carol Cartwright was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1991.

Ian Flickinger is the senior editor of The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].