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. The Rangerettes began in 1940 under the direction of the late Gussie Nell Davis Gussie Nell Davis as a first-of-their kind and have spurred a multi-billion dollar dance team industry.
Motto | Your Future Starts Here! |
---|---|
Type | Public community college |
Established | 1935 |
Endowment | $24 million |
President | Brenda Kays |
Students | 5000+ credit hour; 3700+ non-credit |
Location | , , U.S. 32.377056°N 94.872600°W |
Colors | Blue and Gray |
Nickname | Rangers |
Affiliations | Southwest Junior College Football Conference (SWJCFC) |
Website | Kilgore College |
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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 including welding, corrosion technology, process technology, surgical technology, pharmacy technology and much more.
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.[4]
College service area
As defined by the Texas Legislature, the official service area of KC includes territory within the following school districts:[5]
- Big Sandy Independent School District
- Carlisle Independent School District
- Gilmer Independent School District
- Gladewater Independent School District
- Hallsville Independent School District
- Henderson Independent School District
- Kilgore Independent School District
- Laneville Independent School District
- Leverett's Chapel Independent School District
- Longview Independent School District
- Mount Enterprise Independent School District
- New Diana Independent School District
- Overton Independent School District
- Pine Tree Independent School District
- Sabine Independent School District
- Spring Hill Independent School District
- Tatum Independent School District (except the part of the district that is located in Panola County)
- Union Grove Independent School District
- West Rusk Independent School District
- White Oak Independent School District
Notable alumni
- Lyle Alzado, former professional All-Pro NFL football player[6]
- Rodney Carrington, comedian[7]
- Ricardo Colclough, former professional American football player
- Ricky Collins, current CFL wide receiver
- Jorge Diaz, former professional American football player
- Francisco Elson, professional basketball player
- Kevin Everett, former professional American football player
- Thomas Herrion, former professional American football player
- John Hill, former Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court
- Lane Johnson; current professional American football player; Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL
- Derrick Lewis, former American football player; professional mixed martial artist, currently competing in the UFC[8]
- Dwayne Stovall; Cleveland, Texas business man and 2014 Republican primary candidate for the United States Senate against incumbent John Cornyn.[9]
- Marcus Thornton, professional basketball player, Houston Rockets of the NBA
- Marvin White, professional American football player
- Demorrio Williams, professional American football player
- Jason Williams, current professional basketball player for Chorale Roanne Basket of the LNB Pro B
- Darren Woodard, former professional American football player
- LeJuandro 'Kai' Zeiglar an American football player in the now defunct Arena Football League.
Kilgore College gallery
- Welcome Sign
- Old Main
- Student Center
- Randolph C. Watson Library
- Masters Gymnasium
- Gussie Nell Davis Rangerette Residence
- East Texas Oil Museum (established 1979) is located on the Kilgore College campus.
- Kilgore College operates a branch campus in nearby Longview.
References
- "Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges". Retrieved 10 December 2017.
- "Kilgore College Reaffirmation of Accreditation". Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- "A brief history of Kilgore College". 2 May 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
- "Texas Shakespeare Festival History". Retrieved 3 December 2016.
- Texas Education Code, Section 130.184, "Kilgore Junior College District Service Area".
- "ESPN Classic – Not the size of the dog in the fight". go.com. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
- 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.
- "Derrick Lewis UFC Bio". Retrieved 2014-01-01.
- "Proud to Be Texan". texansforstovall.com. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
External links

- Official website
- Kilgore College from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Kilgore Rangerettes from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Davis, Gussie Nell from the Handbook of Texas Online