Kilgore College

Kilgore College (KC) is a public community college in Kilgore, Texas. It has an annual enrollment in excess of 5,000 students and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the associate degree.[1][2] The college was established in 1935 at the height of the East Texas oil boom,[3] and as such, is home to the East Texas Oil Museum which houses a large collection of memorabilia documenting this period of Texas history. It is also famous for having the first ever dance-drill team, the Kilgore College Rangerettes, which began in 1940 under the direction of Gussie Nell Davis.

Kilgore College
MottoYour Future Starts Here!
TypePublic community college
Established1935
Endowment$24 million
PresidentBrenda Kays
Students5000+ credit hour; 3700+ non-credit
Location
Kilgore
,
Texas
,
U.S.

32.377056°N 94.872600°W / 32.377056; -94.872600
ColorsBlue and Gray
NicknameRangers
Sporting affiliations
Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) and Southwest Junior College Conference (SWJCC)
Websitewww.kilgore.edu
Old Main at Kilgore College

History

The East Texas oil boom that started near Kilgore in late 1930 generated large amounts of revenue that made it possible to establish a community college. W.L. Dodson, superintendent of the local Kilgore school district, brought B. E. Masters, then president of Amarillo Junior College, to Kilgore in the spring of 1935 to assist in creating the college. The college was established in August of that year, with Dodson named as the first president, and Masters as the first dean. College classes began that fall with 11 faculty members and 229 students temporarily using the Kilgore public school facilities.[3]

Academics

In addition to preparing students for undergraduate degrees that are completed at 4-year colleges and universities, KC's programs also include continuing education, medical training and short-term and long-term workforce training. The college offers Associate in Arts and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as tech prep and certificate programs.

Athletics

KC fields teams in four sports:

  • Football - NJCAA national champions 1966[4]
  • Men's Basketball - NJCAA national champions 1956, 1958[5]
  • Women's Basketball - NJCAA national champions 1988, 1990, 1993[6]
  • Softball

The Rangers compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association's Region XIV, as a member of the Southwest Junior College Football Conference for football, and the Southwest Junior College Conference for all other sports.

Texas Shakespeare Festival

In June 1986, the Texas Shakespeare Festival opened its inaugural season at Kilgore College; the festival has called KC home for what will be 38 summers in 2023. The college provides financial support and facilities for the festival, which is a vital cultural asset for all of East Texas.[7]

College service area

As defined by the Texas Legislature, the official service area of KC includes territory within the following school districts:[8]

Notable alumni
  • Welcome Sign
    Welcome Sign
  • Old Main
    Old Main
  • Student Center
    Student Center
  • Randolph C. Watson Library
    Randolph C. Watson Library
  • Masters Gymnasium
    Masters Gymnasium
  • Gussie Nell Davis Rangerette Residence
    Gussie Nell Davis Rangerette Residence
  • East Texas Oil Museum (established 1979) is located on the Kilgore College campus.
    East Texas Oil Museum (established 1979) is located on the Kilgore College campus.
  • Kilgore College operates a branch campus in nearby Longview.
    Kilgore College operates a branch campus in nearby Longview.

References
  1. "Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges". Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  2. "Kilgore College Reaffirmation of Accreditation". Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  3. "A brief history of Kilgore College". May 2, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  4. "NJCAA Football Record Book 2022" (PDF). njcaa.org. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  5. "NJCAA Men's Basketball Record Book 2023" (PDF). njcaa.org. May 31, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  6. "NJCAA Women's Basketball Record Book 2023" (PDF). njcaa.org. May 31, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  7. "Texas Shakespeare Festival History". Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  8. Texas Education Code, Section 130.184, "Kilgore Junior College District Service Area".
  9. "ESPN Classic – Not the size of the dog in the fight". go.com. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  10. Penrose, Kathryn (October 28, 2005). "Caldwell observing 'Rodney'" (PDF). The Flare. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 3, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  11. "Derrick Lewis UFC Bio". Retrieved 2014-01-01.
  12. "Proud to Be Texan". texansforstovall.com. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
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