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.
The college was established in 1935 at the height of the East Texas oil boom, 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.
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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.
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:
Men's Basketball - NJCAA national champions 1956, 1958
Women's Basketball - NJCAA national champions 1988, 1990, 1993
Football - NJCAA national champions 1966
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. It will celebrate its 41st year in the summer of 2026. The college provides financial support and facilities for the festival, which is a vital cultural asset for all of East Texas.
College service area
As defined by the Texas Legislature, the official service area of KC includes territory within the following school districts:
Notable alumni
Lyle Alzado, professional football player
Steve Bracey (1950–2006), professional basketball player
Rodney Carrington, comedian
Ricardo Colclough, professional football player
Ricky Collins (born 1992), professional football player
Jorge Diaz, professional football player
Francisco Elson (born 1976), professional basketball player
Kevin Everett (born 1982), professional football player
Thomas Herrion (1981– 2005), professional football player
John Hill (1923–2007), lawyer, politician, and judge
Lane Johnson (born 1990), professional football player
Derrick Lewis (born 1985), mixed martial artist
Dwayne Stovall, Cleveland, businessperson and politician
Marcus Thornton (born 1987), professional basketball player
Marvin White (born 1983), professional football player
Demorrio Williams (born 1980), professional football player
Jason Williams, professional basketball player