By ASU News Services

It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the unfortunate passing of our 11^th President, Dr. Joe Lee, who transitioned on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Lee served as the university's 11th president from 2001 to 2008. In that time, he relocated the university bookstore to a more accessible location, worked with recruitment and admissions to increase student enrollment and put in effort to increase ASU's national visibility.

"Dr. Joe Lee was an instrumental leader at Alabama State University, serving as our 11th President for seven years. Dr. Lee's legacy will reflect him as an experienced leader, scholar and a dedicated educator," current ASU President Quinton Ross said. "Dr. Lee will be deeply missed, but he will forever be threaded in the DNA of O' Mother Dear. Not only was he a mentor, but he was also a friend."

Lee was married to ASU alumna Margie Ludgood Lee. Their son, Joseph Lee, also went on to work at ASU, and their grandson, Christian Lee, played football for the school in 2021.