Miner “Pete” Marchbanks, Jr., Ph.D., received the prestigious “Trailblazer Award” from the Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) recently for his 49 years of service to Texas A&M University.
The award recognizes senior-level leadership and excellence in information technology from institutions of higher education.
Marchbanks, known around campus as “Dr. Pete,” is executive director of the Division of Information Technology. His Texas A&M career began in 1967 when he moved to College Station to work toward his doctorate. He was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War in 1969 and returned to the university in 1971. Over the years, Marchbanks has worked to help the Texas A&M community fully embrace information technology.
“I was completely surprised and shocked to receive this award,” Marchbanks said. “I am touched that my associates at Texas A&M nominated me and pleased that everyone on the TASSCC board knew me enough to think the words were true. I am very blessed to be associated with Texas A&M University and the wonderful group in the Division of IT.”
Texas A&M Vice President for IT and Chief Information Officer M. Dee Childs said peers describe Marchbanks as “genuine,” supportive” and “compassionate,” and his leadership skills have fostered innovation.
“Dr. Pete is a legend in the Division of IT and has been a champion for gender diversity in the field of information technology his entire career,” she said. “No one understands IT financial management better than Dr. Pete, and his acumen helped in planning the new West Campus Data Center and the new location of the Help Desk Central and Incident & Operations Center. These have poised the university for the future, and Dr. Pete has left an indelible impression.”
