Holbrook receives technology leadership award

COLUMBUS – Ohio State University President Karen A. Holbrook received the "President's Award for Leadership and Contributions in and for Technology Development" from TechColumbus on Thursday (1/18) before a crowd of more than 700 at the annual TopCAT awards event at the Columbus Convention Center.

Though TopCAT has recognized technology leaders in the community since 1999, Holbrook's award is the first of its kind, said Rich Rosen, vice-president of Battelle's external business relations, who presented Holbrook with her award.

During Holbrook's tenure at Ohio State, research expenditures have risen to more than $650 million in 2006. Ohio State also has moved to 9th place among public research universities in research expenditures and 6th in the country among all universities in industry-sponsored research; and for three consecutive years (2003-05), Ohio State led the country in the number of faculty named "fellows" of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and for 2006 was second only to the University of California at Riverside.

Through her vision, leadership, international prestige, and ongoing engagement, Holbrook has established a strong environment for research and technology, Rosen said.

"President Holbrook has brought the full power of her office to support the advancement of the technology-based economy in central Ohio," Rosen said. "But she has brought more than just advocacy – her personal energy and involvement has been a constant force."

As a founding board member of TechColumbus, Holbrook has played a pivotal role in establishing the organization in the community and promoting a culture of collaboration.

TechColumbus, which was formed through the merger of the Columbus Technology Council and the Business Technology Center, is a membership-led, non-profit organization of technology-based companies in the central Ohio region. Its mission is to encourage and foster the formation and growth of technology-based companies and to facilitate effective use of technology to strengthen Central Ohio's economy.

The Ohio State University's Science and Technology Campus Corporation (Scitech) is a closely linked partner operating under the TechColumbus umbrella.