Dr. M. Katherine Banks Named Sole Finalist for A&M Presidency
JOHN L. JUNKINSInterim President
March 3, 2021
Dear Students, Faculty, Staff and Members of the Aggie Family:
Today I am very pleased to share the announcement from The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents that Dr. M. Katherine “Kathy” Banks has been named the sole finalist to become the 26th president of Texas A&M University. With her breadth of academic experience and deep knowledge of this university, it came as no surprise our Board of Regents unanimously selected Dr. Banks.
For nearly a decade, I have had the good fortune and the great privilege of working closely with Dr. Banks in her capacity as dean of our College of Engineering and as vice chancellor of engineering and national laboratories for The Texas A&M University System.
As interim president and as a member of the presidential search committee, I can assure you that Dr. Banks emerged from an exceptional field of candidates. At every stage of her career, she has excelled in teaching, research and transformational academic leadership. More importantly, she knows and loves our university, and shares and upholds our cherished core values.
Per state law, there is at least a 21-day waiting period before our Board of Regents can hold a formal vote to officially name Dr. Banks as our next president. I anticipate that will take place expeditiously and a transition will be initiated prior to an expected start date of June 1.
In the meantime, I hope you will join me in celebrating this announcement and congratulating Dr. Banks on this well-deserved honor.
Gig 'em,
John L. Junkins
Interim President