Joachim Froelich had been president of Elms College since 2001.

CHICOPEE, Mass. (AP) – Joachim Froehlich, president of Elms College and a former president of New Hampshire’s St. Anselm College, has died after a long battle with cancer. He died Friday at 59. The former Benedictine brother had been president of Elms College in Chicopee since 2001. It was the third Catholic college he led.

Froehlich was president of St. Anselm from 1979 to 1989, increasing endowment at the Catholic college by $12 million dollars and overseeing a campus expansion that included building the Dana Arts Center.

Though at Elms only two years, Froehlich oversaw a 36 percent increase in enrollment and implemented a 10-year facilities master plan and a 10-year reaccreditation.

“In the short time he was with us, Dr. Froehlich invited all of us to build an even stronger community of faith and learning,” said the Rev. Mark Stelzer, who has been named acting president.

Froehlich also led Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, for six years in the 1990s, raising millions in a capital campaign, restructuring the college and revamping curriculum.

A vigil prayer service is being held Sunday at the Elms College Chapel.

with funeral Mass on Monday at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Chicopee.

AP-ES-11-22-03 1507EST