The Holbrook Years 2002–2007 chronicles the tenure of Karen A. Holbrook, thirteenth president of The Ohio State University, from the extensive search process to her departure. As the thirteenth volume of history of presidents of The Ohio State University, it includes the personal and public life Holbrook, the first woman and research scientist to lead The Ohio State University. The OSU Board of Trustees and its presidential search committee found in Holbrook’s experience many reasons to invite her to lead Ohio’s flagship institution of higher education. Foremost among them was her familiarity with academic medicine, which they thought would give her a special understanding of OSU’s growing medical center. She was particularly interested in fostering multi-disciplinary programs and emphasizing outreach via pre-collegiate programs to broaden the pipeline for students who saw The Ohio State University as a goal.