Karen Holbrook
Encyclopedia
Karen A. Holbrook was the 13th presiding president of The Ohio State University
. She took office on October 1, 2002, replacing Interim President Edward H. Jennings
. Holbrook earned her B.S. and M.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
, in zoology. After teaching biology
at Ripon College
, she earned a Ph.D. in biological structure from the University of Washington
School of Medicine in 1972, then pursued further training in dermatology
. She is an alumna of Gamma Phi Beta
sorority.
Prior to leading The Ohio State University, Holbrook was a professor of biological structure and medicine at University of Washington School of Medicine, Vice president for Research and Dean
of the Graduate School at the University of Florida
, and most recently Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
at the University of Georgia
. At all points in her career Holbrook has continued to research dermatology.
In addition to her academic responsibilities, Holbrook serves on several non-profit boards, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science
, Association of American Universities
, National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, Association of American Medical Colleges
, American College Testing Program
, American Council on Education
, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and National Council for Science and the Environment, among many others.
Holbrook resigned from Ohio State on June 30, 2007, ending her five-year career there. Joseph A. Alutto
, dean of the Max M. Fisher College of Business
at Ohio State, replaced Holbrook as an interim president until Gordon Gee
took his place as the new president.
While on an interview at Florida Gulf Coast University
, Holbrook was quoted as saying about Ohio State, "When you win a game, you riot. When you lose a game, you riot. When spring comes, you riot. African-American Heritage Festival weekend, you riot." This statement angered several Ohio State students and alum and Holbrook later stated that her comments were "melodramatic"
Holbrook is currently the Vice President for Research & Innovation at the University of South Florida
. She also serves on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Board of Trustees.
.
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. She took office on October 1, 2002, replacing Interim President Edward H. Jennings
Edward Harrington Jennings
Edward Harrington Jennings was the 10th President of the The Ohio State University from September 1, 1981 to August 31, 1990 and also the acting president from July 1, 2002 until October 1, 2002 after Bill Kirwan left the office...
. Holbrook earned her B.S. and M.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
, in zoology. After teaching biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
at Ripon College
Ripon College (Wisconsin)
Ripon College is a liberal arts college in Ripon, Wisconsin, USA. It offers small class sizes and intensive mentoring to students. Ripon has a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa--one of the nation's most prestigious honor societies. Alumni have high rates of success in the workforce as well as acceptance...
, she earned a Ph.D. in biological structure from the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
School of Medicine in 1972, then pursued further training in dermatology
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
. She is an alumna of Gamma Phi Beta
Gamma Phi Beta
Gamma Phi Beta is an international sorority that was founded on November 11, 1874, at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. The term "sorority," meaning sisterhood, was coined for Gamma Phi Beta by Dr. Frank Smalley, a professor at Syracuse University.The four founders are Helen M. Dodge,...
sorority.
Prior to leading The Ohio State University, Holbrook was a professor of biological structure and medicine at University of Washington School of Medicine, Vice president for Research and Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the Graduate School at the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
, and most recently Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Provost (education)
A provost is the senior academic administrator at many institutions of higher education in the United States, Canada and Australia, the equivalent of a pro-vice-chancellor at some institutions in the United Kingdom and Ireland....
at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
. At all points in her career Holbrook has continued to research dermatology.
In addition to her academic responsibilities, Holbrook serves on several non-profit boards, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
, Association of American Universities
Association of American Universities
The Association of American Universities is an organization of leading research universities devoted to maintaining a strong system of academic research and education...
, National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, Association of American Medical Colleges
Association of American Medical Colleges
The Association of American Medical Colleges is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and established in 1876. It administers the Medical College Admission Test...
, American College Testing Program
ACT (examination)
The ACT is a standardized test for high school achievement and college admissions in the United States produced by ACT, Inc. It was first administered in November 1959 by Everett Franklin Lindquist as a competitor to the College Board's Scholastic Aptitude Test, now the SAT Reasoning Test...
, American Council on Education
American Council on Education
The American Council on Education is a United States organization, established in 1918, comprising over 1,800 accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and higher education-related associations, organizations, and corporations....
, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and National Council for Science and the Environment, among many others.
Holbrook resigned from Ohio State on June 30, 2007, ending her five-year career there. Joseph A. Alutto
Joseph A. Alutto
Joseph Anthony Alutto is Executive Vice President and Provost of Ohio State University located in Columbus, Ohio. He was formerly the Interim President, and the Dean of Ohio State's Max M. Fisher College of Business....
, dean of the Max M. Fisher College of Business
Max M. Fisher College of Business
Fisher College’s MBA curriculum allows students to customize their focus. After learning the core functions of business, students can select from over 100 elective courses to refine their knowledge.Students may concentrate in:...
at Ohio State, replaced Holbrook as an interim president until Gordon Gee
Gordon Gee
Elwood Gordon Gee is an American academic. He is in his second term as the president of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio; he was previously president from 1990 to 1998....
took his place as the new president.
While on an interview at Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University, also known as FGCU, is a coeducational public university located just south of the Southwest Florida International Airport in the South Fort Myers region of unincorporated Lee County, Florida, United States. The university belongs to the 11-campus State University...
, Holbrook was quoted as saying about Ohio State, "When you win a game, you riot. When you lose a game, you riot. When spring comes, you riot. African-American Heritage Festival weekend, you riot." This statement angered several Ohio State students and alum and Holbrook later stated that her comments were "melodramatic"
Holbrook is currently the Vice President for Research & Innovation at the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
. She also serves on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university in the US specializing in aviation and aerospace engineering. It teaches the science, practice, and business of aviation and aerospace. Called "The Harvard of the Sky" by Time Magazine in 1979, Embry-Riddle has a history dating back to...
Board of Trustees.
Further reading
- Past Presidents of the Ohio State University
- onCampus newspaper story on election of Karen Holbrook
- Letter of resignation and facts about her years as President
.