Karen A. Holbrook, Ohio State’s first woman president, announced that she will retire when her contract ends in June 2007.

In a 12-page letter to the board of trustees, Holbrook expressed her desire to spend more time with her husband and stated, “I also believe it is the best timing for the University as Ohio State plans to enter a major capital campaign next year.”In his response letter to Holbrook, Judge Robert M. Duncan, chairman of the board of trustees, said, “It will be important that the upcoming year be a true recognition of your thirty-five year career in higher education and five years of exceptional service as president of the university.”

Holbrook became the 13th president of OSU in October of 2002 with the charge to continue improving many areas of the university including national rankings, research funding, retention and diversity. In her letter to the board, Holbrook cites these increases beginning with national ranking. OSU increased from 24th place in 2002 to 21st place in 2005 among public universities as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

“Without question the university’s stature has improved along with a universal recognition of that stature,” Holbrook said.

In the areas of retention and graduation rates, Holbrook cites the 10 percent increase in freshman-sophomore retention during the past 10 years and the 17 percent increase in the six-year graduation rate. During the past 10 years the number of students who graduated within six years of starting at OSU has increased to 68 percent.

These improvements, attributed to admitting better prepared students, began in 2003 with the implementation of selective admissions. That impact will not be fully realized until 2009 when the six-year graduation rates are seen.

“I do not take personal credit for all of these remarkable changes,” Holbrook said. “However, they did occur during my tenure at Ohio State, and we are poised to realize other advances during the upcoming academic year.”

Duncan agreed that Holbrook’s final year as president holds great promise.

“We anticipate a busy and productive year ahead as we continue to build upon your achievements and position the university for a transition of leadership,” he said.

Holbrook received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin and a doctorate in biological structure from the University of Washington.

Before coming to OSU Holbrook served as the senior vice president and provost at the University of Georgia.