Dr. Karen A. Holbrook, President, The Ohio State University

The Center for College Health and Safety congratulates Karen A. Holbrook of The Ohio State University for being the 2004 award recipient.

President Karen Holbrook In her two years as president of The Ohio State University, Dr. Holbrook has faced the problem of celebratory rioting and alcohol misuse. Her determination to instill pride and enhance positive engagement and to promote health and safety is evident in her efforts, some of which are highlighted below:

working with Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, established the Task Force on Preventing Celebratory Riots, a team of campus and community members charged with studying the causes and seeking solutions to socially destructive, alcohol-fueled behavior (2002)
spearheaded enforcement of the ‘open container’ law on game day, despite vocal and strong opposition from multiple constituencies
received support from nine campus leadership organizations, including the Alumni Association, University Board of Trustees, and Undergraduate Student Government.
supports a range of AOD prevention activities on campus: education and awareness, substance-free activities, social norms marketing, counseling
supports OSU’s Wellness Collaborative in a range of activities

Support efforts to change the culture surrounding game day behavior:

addressed the 2003 NCAA Summit on Sportsmanship and Fan Behavior
hosted and spoke at the “2003 National Conference Addressing Issues Related to Celebratory Riots”
worked with Athletic Director Andy Geiger to implement the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s College Commitment to end alcohol advertising in college sports making Ohio State the first of 224 institutions to do so
wrote article that appeared in the New Orleans Times-Picayune titled “On Alcohol and Fan Behavior”

In the greater Columbus community as well as in the State of Ohio:

supports Ohio First Lady Hope Taft’s “Smart and Sober” program
joined in a partnership with the City of Columbus committing $3 million that will include the construction of a new Neighborhood Policing Center and increased police presence in the surrounding neighborhood
received the Director’s Award (2003) for courageous leadership from the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addition Services.

Biography

Karen A. Holbrook became the 13th president of The Ohio State University on October 1, 2002. She is committed to helping Ohio State realize its vision as a truly great research and teaching university.

President Holbrook earned her B.S. and M.S. degrees in zoology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. After teaching biology for three years, she earned a Ph.D. in biological structure from University of Washington School of Medicine and pursued postdoctoral training in the Department of Dermatology. While at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Dr. Holbrook held positions as associate professor, associate chair, and professor of biological structure and medicine. In 1993, she accepted the position of vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Florida. Additionally, she taught anatomy and cell biology and medicine/dermatology. Dr. Holbrook moved to The University of Georgia in 1998, where she served as senior vice president for academic affairs and provost in addition to being a professor of cell biology.

Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles and participated extensively in the activities of professional and honorary societies. Her editorial and publication activities are extensive, and her service on faculty committees, economic development groups, and her involvement with national and regional efforts to strengthen graduate education in America are impressive. Dr. Holbrook was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and is married with one son.