Holbrook joins nationally known leaders in receiving award

COLUMBUS – President Karen A. Holbrook of The Ohio State University joined four nationally known leaders in being honored by a Washington, D.C.-based organization designed to support women. Joining Holbrook in receiving the 2004 Women’s Center’s Leadership Award for leadership and for enriching the lives of women were Torie Clarke, former Pentagon spokeswoman and assistant secretary for public affairs in the Bush Administration; Vice Admiral Patricia A. Tracey, vice chief of Naval Operations who directs the Navy Headquarters Support Functions for 1,200 personnel; and Donna Brazile, the first African American woman to manage a presidential campaign when she led Al Gore’s effort in 2000. In addition, Helen Thomas, a Hearst Newspaper columnist who served for more than 50 years as a correspondent for United Press International and White House Bureau Chief, received the organization’s Pioneer Award.

The Women’s Center’s Leadership Award is given to women who are first in their fields, who have assumed a position of leadership that allows them to benefit women and their families, or who are actively involved with helping women. The awards were presented Saturday at the group’s 19th Annual Leadership Conference, “Women Leaders: Creating a New Dynamic,” in McLean, Virginia.

Holbrook became the first woman to serve as president of Ohio State in October 2002. There, she has continued the university’s focus on the Academic Plan, Ohio State’s strategy for moving into the nation’s top tier of research institutions. Prior to joining Ohio State, she served as senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia as well as professor of cell biology and adjunct professor of anatomy and cell biology and medicine at the Medical College of Georgia. At Georgia, she helped create the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute, the New Media Institute, and played a key role in developing the University’s Strategic Plan, which among other things includes a strong commitment to diversity and ambitious diversity goals.

Past Leadership Award recipients include Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State for the Clinton Administration, and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York.

In its 30th year, the Women’s Center is a nonprofit organization that provides immediate and affordable counseling, education and information to women and families in the Washington, D.C. area with respect to their psychological, professional and legal needs.