Who Is Randolph C. Watson?

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Dr. Randolph C. Watson was the fourth President of Kilgore College. A native of East Texas, he graduated from Henderson High School. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas Christian University. That institution also awarded him an honorary doctor of laws degree in 1966. Dr. Watson began his career in education in 1935 as a teacher at Laird Hill Elementary School. In 1937, he became principal of the school.

Following military service in Europe during World War II, Watson joined the Kilgore College faculty in 1945. He soon became chairman of the Social Science Department. In 1947, he was appointed Director of the Technical-Vocational Division. He became Dean of Kilgore College in 1953. In 1964, Watson was named as President of Kilgore College and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1978.

The hallmark of the Watson administration was expansion. Under his leadership, Kilgore College experienced tremendous growth. Dr. Watson played a key role in the establishment of the Kilgore College Demonstration Farm. Campus expansion during the Watson years included construction of the Business Administration, Applied Arts, Technical and Vocational, Administration, Library, and Engineering-Science buildings. He also implemented the addition of dormitories, the Physical Education Building, the Rangerette Showcase, and the East Texas Oil Museum.

In 1966, Kilgore College adopted a new logo bearing the words "Emphasis Excellence." This slogan reflected Randolph C. Watson's dedication to improving the quality of education. His commitment to the expansion of its facilities and programs enabled Kilgore College to take its place among the leading educational institutions in Texas.

Randolph C. Watson died April 20, 2002.