Kilgore College: A Legacy of Academic Excellence, Athletics, and the World-Famous Rangerettes
Kilgore College (KC), an accredited public two-year community college in Kilgore, Texas, has been serving the academic and workforce needs of East Texas since its establishment in 1935. The college provides a learner-centered environment focused on student access, success, and completion through collaborative partnerships. Led by Interim President Dr. Staci Martin, KC serves a 20-district area in Northeast Texas and offers more than 130 academic, career and technical education programs, including Associate in Arts and Associate in Applied Science degrees and certificate options.
The Genesis of Kilgore College
The establishment of Kilgore College is deeply intertwined with the East Texas oil boom of the 1930s. 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. Kilgore College recently celebrated its 90th anniversary.
Academic and Workforce Programs
KC students represent a diverse mix of full- and part-time learners, and many take advantage of online and dual credit opportunities. In addition to transfer coursework, KC offers workforce programs in high-demand fields such as nursing, law enforcement, firefighting, EMT, culinary arts, process technology, welding, radiologic technology, automotive technology and industrial maintenance. The college also provides workforce development and continuing education courses for lifelong learners and customized training for local industry, along with an international student program. The college has seen significant enrollment growth in recent years, with more than 7,000 students enrolled in credit and continuing education courses in 2024-25.
Thriving Athletics: The Kilgore College Rangers
KC’s athletic teams, known as the Rangers, compete in Region 14 of the National Junior College Athletic Association, including football, men’s and women’s basketball and softball. The football program is one of the most successful junior college teams in Texas, with multiple conference and national titles.
The Iconic Rangerettes: A Pioneering Force in Dance
KC is also home to the historic Rangerettes, the first precision dance team of its kind in the United States. In 1939, Kilgore College Dean, Dr. B.E. Masters, decided that the college needed an organization that would attract young women to the college and keep people in their seats during football game halftimes. Dr. Masters brought Miss Gussie Nell Davis to Kilgore College to create something special. Her creation and gift to the world were the Kilgore College Rangerettes! Founded in 1940 by Gussie Nell Davis, the Rangerettes helped pioneer modern dance-drill teams and have become an iconic symbol of KC spirit. The first group of its kind in the world, the Rangerettes brought "show business" to the football gridiron. Miss Davis' team took to the field during the 1940 football season, pioneering the field of dancing drill teams now seen across the nation.
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The Rangerette Legacy: Leadership and Innovation
Several individuals have played pivotal roles in shaping the Rangerettes into the world-renowned organization they are today:
- Miss Gussie Nell Davis: The visionary founder and first director of the Rangerettes.
- Peggy Crowder: The first assistant director of the Rangerettes, who was a Rangerette in the 1940s, and later returned to Kilgore College as Dr. Peggy Coghlan, the Vice-President of Instruction and Chief Academic Officer.
- Dr. Barbara "Pill" Harmon Malm: The second assistant director and creator of the "Stomp".
- Mr. Denard Haden: The first Rangerette choreographer in 1948, who created the Rangerette style by using innovative patterns and steps, and developed many original ideas that are still used by dance and drill teams today. A very creative choreographer, Mr. Haden, was also a well-known dance instructor all over East Texas.
- Mrs. Deana Bolton Covin: The third assistant director of the Rangerettes from 1972 to 1979, and she became the second director of the Rangerettes when Miss Davis retired in 1979. Mrs. Covin became very well known for her emphasis on precision, polish, and perfection. She retired in 1993, but continued to play a very active role in the Rangerette Forever Alumni organization. The Rangerette Gym was renovated in September 2001 and renamed in her honor.
- Mrs. Ruth Flynn: The second Rangerette choreographer, who worked with Mrs. Covin from 1980-1984. She is a former Rangerette who directed the Tyler Junior College Apache Belles from 1985 to 2011.
- Laura Davis: Mrs. Covin's first assistant director, was also the third Rangerette choreographer. Mrs. Davis is a former Rangerette Lieutenant and Swingster (1975-1977), and worked as the assistant director with Ruth Flynn and Mrs. Covin for one year (1983-1984). After Mrs. Flynn left Kilgore College in 1984, Mrs. Davis took over choreography in addition to her duties as assistant director.
- Miss Dana Brown: Mrs. Covin's next assistant director and choreographer was Miss Dana Brown. Dana is a former Rangerette Lieutenant and Swingster (1981-1983) who assisted Mrs. Covin from 1986-1993. Originally from Dallas, she became the third director of the Rangerettes after Mrs. Covin retired in 1993, and then Mrs. Dana Blair in 1994.
- Mrs. Shelley Wayne: The current assistant director and choreographer of the Rangerettes. Shelley is a former Rangerette Lieutenant and Swingster (1985-1987) originally from Houston who returned to Kilgore College after directing the Westfield High School drill team (Houston, TX) for one year.
Global Recognition and Influence
The Rangerettes are the world's best-known collegiate drill team, traveling all over the United States, and on several world tours since the 1970s, including South America, Romania, France, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Italy, Switzerland, England, Scotland, and Ireland. The group has performed nationally at events including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Cotton Bowl and Super Bowl halftime shows, and has influenced countless high school and college dance programs across the country.
Preserving History and Heritage: The Museums of Kilgore College
The college campus also features two unique museums that celebrate the region’s heritage and KC traditions. The East Texas Oil Museum houses a large collection of memorabilia documenting this period of Texas history, through immersive exhibits and historically recreated environments. The Rangerette Showcase & Museum preserves the legacy of the world-famous Rangerettes, displaying historic uniforms, memorabilia, photographs and interactive exhibits.
A Hub for Arts and Culture: The Texas Shakespeare Festival
In addition to its academic and athletic achievements, Kilgore College is also a center for arts and culture. 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.
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