- January 17, 2025
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Karen Holbrook has served in roles at numerous universities.
However, she says outside of the University of Washington, the University of South Florida is the one she's stayed with the longest.
She attributes her 14 years with the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, including her seven years as regional chancellor that will conclude with her retirement at the end of 2024, to the excellence of the people and community.
The community turned out for her retirement celebration on Dec. 11, at an event held at the Student Center and Atala Residence Hall opened in August, which saw Holbrook receiving a key to the city.
Brett Kemker, vice provost and regional vice chancellor for academic affairs and student success at USF Sarasota-Manatee, will succeed her in an interim role.
Rhea Law, president of the University of South Florida, recalled the case Holbrook made at a board meeting for creating the residence hall.
"She presented such a passionate case for why this community should have a residence facility right here on this campus, and because of that, because of her passion for that, here we are, three years later, and look what happened. We are standing in it right here," she said.
In addition to the residence hall, which was the college's first new structure since 2006, the college also credits Holbrook with a number of contributions, which include adding and expanding academic programs and facilitating faculty research.
"I think Dr. Holbrook has started so many really unique initiatives, especially around bringing different degree programs to our campus that meet the workforce needs in the community, such as the aviation ecosystem that is really a focus of Manatee County," said Marrie Neumer, the campus' associate vice president for advancement.
Neumer said Holbrook has also expanded degree programs in risk management and insurance, and "certainly" the health sciences including the commitment to providing nurses, healthcare, specialists and all different majors in the area.
"We are proud to be able to continue and use those programs, as a launch pad for the future," she said.
Law, speaking during the event, discussed Holbrook's love of the community.
"I think the thing that most strikes me is her absolute love of people, her love of students, her love of faculty, her love of staff, her love of this community, the real, deep wish that this university would be such an integral part of this community, that we would fight together, that we would work together, and that we would accomplish things together. I think that's what you've done," said Law.
However, Holbrook emphasized the contributions of others at the university.
"I just can't say enough for being here, and leaving here is incredibly hard," Holbrook said. "You just can't believe it. I have loved it here. I love the people I deal with. I love the people I've worked with over the years. And I still want to be seeing you, be friends with you, but I want to also, more than anything, thank every one of you, for all of you and what you have done for this campus and for this community. It would not be the same without you. It is not ever one person, but it is many people, and the many people who are here are absolutely phenomenal."
During the event, two initiatives in honor of Holbrook were announced.
The Dr. Karen A. Holbrook Legacy of Leadership fundraising campaign will name the office of the global engagement initiative USF World, found inside the residence hall, in honor of Holbrook.
The Perlman Music Program SunCoast, which has been holding its winter residency program on the campus for the last 17 years, will dedicate its 2024-2025 winter residency to Holbrook.
Holbrook previously served USF as senior vice president for global affairs and international research; senior vice president for research, innovation and global affairs; and as senior advisor to the USF president.
She has also served as president of The Ohio State University; senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Georgia; vice president for research and dean of the graduate school at the University of Florida; and associate dean for research and professor of biological structure and medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
She has served on many boards, not limited to the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Association of American Medical Colleges, as well as local boards, some of which include the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation.
Early in her career, she was an NIH MERIT Award investigator, and has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a doctorate in Biological Structure from the University of Washington School of Medicine.
After an extensive career, Holbrook told the Observer she wasn't sure what's next. The Longboat Key resident hopes to spend more time with her family, including her husband Jim Holbrook.
"I'm going to go home and get things back in order and just spend some time with Jim and enjoy being with him, and then we'll see what happens, because I'm hoping something will," she said.
