M. Katherine Banks facts for kids

Margaret Katherine "Kathy" Banks is an American expert in academics and civil engineering. She served as the 26th president of Texas A&M University from 2021 to 2023. She was the second woman to hold this important position.

Dr. Banks is a respected member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 2014, she was chosen for the National Academy of Engineering. Before becoming president, she was the dean of the College of Engineering. She also held a special professor role at Purdue University. Her work focuses on how tiny living things can help clean up water and soil. This includes studying how bacteria form films and how plants can remove pollution.

Early Life and Education

Kathy Banks grew up in Whitesburg, Kentucky. This was a small town known for coal mining. She went to college to study engineering.

• In 1982, she earned her first degree (Bachelor of Science) from the University of Florida.
• In 1985, she got her Master of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
• In 1989, she completed her highest degree (Doctor of Philosophy) from Duke University. Her studies focused on civil and environmental engineering.

Her Career Journey

After finishing her education, Dr. Banks began her teaching career.

Teaching and Research Roles

From 1989 to 1997, Dr. Banks was a professor at Kansas State University. She then moved to Purdue University in 1997. There, she became a professor in the Civil Engineering Department. She held important roles at Purdue, including leading the School of Civil Engineering.

In 2012, Dr. Banks joined Texas A&M University. She took on many leadership roles there. These included being the Vice Chancellor of Engineering and the Dean of the College of Engineering. She also directed the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station.

Leadership at Texas A&M University

Dr. Banks was nominated to become the president of Texas A&M University in March 2021. The university's leaders confirmed her appointment later that month. She officially started her role as president on June 1, 2021.

During her time as president, a situation arose regarding the hiring of a new journalism professor. This event led to discussions and investigations. Dr. Banks took responsibility for the situation. She resigned from her position as president on July 20, 2023. In her resignation letter, she mentioned that the negative attention was a distraction.

After her resignation, Mark A. Welsh III was appointed as the acting president.

Personal Life

Kathy Banks is married to Arthur Paul Schwab. They met when they were both professors at Kansas State University. They have worked together on several research projects.

Mr. Schwab also moved to Purdue University with Dr. Banks in 1998. He joined the faculty there as a professor. Since 2012, he has been a professor at Texas A&M University. He teaches about soil and crop science. Dr. Banks and her husband have six children.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Banks has received many awards for her work:

• American Society of Civil Engineers Petersen Outstanding Woman of the Year Award.
• American Society of Civil Engineers Rudolph Hering Medal, 2010.
• Oil and Gas Investor's 25 Influential Women in Energy Pinnacle Award.
• Purdue Faculty Scholar Award.
• Sloan Foundation Mentoring Fellowship.
• American Association of University Women Fellowship.
• National Academy of Engineering Membership.