DAVIDSON, N.C. — White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, who will soon begin chemotherapy to fight a cancer recurrence, told fellow alumni at Davidson College that he feels great and plans to return to work today.

Mr. Snow, 51, has been on medical leave since announcing March 27 that a growth in his abdominal area was cancerous and had metastasized, or spread, to the liver.

“No, it doesn’t mean I’m going to be gray, shriveled, and in the fetal position,” he told about 600 alumni and family members at a 30-year reunion Saturday. “To my classmates who think I’m going to lose my great hair, forget about it.”

Mr. Snow had his colon removed in 2005 and underwent six months of chemotherapy after being diagnosed with colon cancer.

Mr. Snow graduated from Davidson in 1977. Davidson officials said he agreed to speak to students on Friday and alumni on Saturday, the Charlotte Observer reported.

During a question-and-answer session Saturday, Mr. Snow said he has become closer to God and his family because of the cancer.

“I am actually enjoying everything more than I ever have,” he said. “God hasn’t promised us tomorrow, but he has promised us eternity.”