Karen A. Holbrook, president of Ohio State University since 2002, has announced that she will step down in June 2007. Ms. Holbrook, 63, is the first woman to hold the top post at the seven-campus university, which has an enrollment of 51,000 at its flagship campus, in Columbus.

In her resignation letter, Ms. Holbrook, a cell biologist and former provost at the University of Georgia, said she had made the decision to retire so she could spend more time with her husband, a retired oceanographer. She also said the date of her departure would be the “best timing,” as the university is poised to begin a major capital campaign next year.

Robert M. Duncan, chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, wrote a letter praising Ms. Holbrook for her “grace under pressure” and efforts to bolster Ohio State’s research programs. The university was ranked 24th in federal research expenditures in 2004, a jump of 15 places, he said. Ms. Holbrook also drew notice as president for her response to fan misbehavior at and after sporting events (The Chronicle, March 7, 2003).