Alabama State University mourns the passing of Dr. Patricia Maryland, Class of 1975, who made history in 1974 as the first female president of the institution's Student Government Association. Her milestone was chronicled in the University’s student newspaper, The Hornet Tribune, where she was highlighted for defeating three male opponents during the spring quarter.
Dr. Maryland died on October 24, 2025, at the age of 72.
She earned her B.S. in Applied Mathematics from ASU and interned at Brookhaven Research Institute in New York. She later earned advanced degrees from UC Berkeley and the University of Pittsburgh, focusing on biostatistics and health services administration.
She retired in 2019 as president and CEO of Ascension Healthcare, the largest Catholic and nonprofit health system in the United States. Her leadership earned her national recognition, including being named one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Most Influential Women in Healthcare for five consecutive years.
Her ASU legacy runs deep: she was one of nine siblings—all ASU graduates—and her extended family includes professors, alumni, and ASU 50 Under 50 honorees.
She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Dr. Samuel Tekyi-Mensah, and their children Yasmin and Dean. Her legacy as a student leader, healthcare executive and devoted alumna will continue to inspire the Hornet Nation.