'Culture of Excellence': Kilgore College Honors 90 Years

Celebrating 90 Years of Excellence at Kilgore College

Kilgore College, located in Kilgore, Texas, recently celebrated its 90th anniversary with a special ceremony held at the college’s new footbridge. The event took place just a short distance from Old Main, the first building on campus. Leaders from the college, the city, and Gregg County came together to honor this significant milestone.

The origins of Kilgore College trace back to 1935 when the Kilgore Independent School Board of Trustees made a bold decision to establish a junior college. Former Kilgore College President William Holda reflected on this pivotal moment, stating that the decision was both visionary and impactful. “They probably never knew what they were doing long term, as far as the impact on students, the community, and the region,” he said.

For about a decade, the school board managed the college before it became independent from the school district. Following World War II, the college expanded its offerings to include technical courses. These programs provided students with practical skills that led directly into the workforce. “It wasn’t just the first two years of a four-year degree, but technical training and two-year associate degrees that led straight into the workforce,” Holda explained.

One example of such a program is electric power technology, where students can become qualified linemen in just 10 weeks. Kamryn Crosby, a Kilgore College student from the Houston area, attended the ceremony. She chose to study communications at the college because of its close-knit community. “What I love about Kilgore is that it’s close knit. Everybody wants to know each other. And there’s so many community events. We’re involved with everybody: church, school, everything. And I really appreciate that,” Crosby shared.

Holda also highlighted the dramatic changes that have occurred since he first joined the college in 1975. Back then, there was no technical training, and the college used an IBM mainframe with punch cards for registration. There was no internet or cell phones. “If you think things have changed rapidly now, expect the great upheaval in higher education to continue as we prepare for a world reshaped by technological innovation, globalization, demographic change, and artificial intelligence,” he said.

He emphasized that the pace of change will only accelerate. “When I look at the changes that occurred in the 50 years since I arrived, the changes that will now occur in the next five years will be geometrically so much faster than anything you saw in the last five years,” Holda warned.

Board President Josh Edmonson praised the college’s “culture of excellence” that has been built over the years by former staff, students, and leaders. He stated that Kilgore College exists to “transform lives through education.” As the college looks ahead, the board remains committed to carrying forward this vision.

Holda noted that many institutions do not survive 90 years. Each year, numerous higher education institutions shut down due to various reasons, including financial challenges. Some community colleges have even had to merge with other districts. “Kilgore College has been very fortunate to reach this mile marker,” he said.

He attributed the college’s longevity to its ability to adapt to the ever-changing job market. This flexibility has kept the institution viable and will continue to drive its success in the future.

For Kamryn Crosby, Kilgore College has been more than just a place of learning—it has been a transformative experience. “I went to a bunch of local boutiques and stuff like that. And I got clothes, some shopping. And I told them about my time here, and they were like, ‘You’re really going to enjoy it.’ And nobody’s been wrong,” she said.