April 2004
EARLY KILGORE COLLEGE/A&M MEETINGS CLEAR
PATH FOR KC FARM; 40th ANNIVERSARY/1st STUDENT REUNION
MAY 8
OVERTON, TX --- Opportunities
occur when you push the right buttons.
Kilgore College
officials found that to be true when, in March 1963, they met in College Station
with the leaders of Texas A&M College’s
renowned School of Agriculture, the first
of three such meetings. The purpose of these high-level get-togethers: a proposed program in agriculture for Kilgore College, the first
of its kind in East Texas.
Such legendary names in Kilgore College
history as Cruce Stark, Donald Leverett, A.G. Morton, and Randolph Watson met with A&M notables
Earl Rudder, R.C. Potts, R.E. Patterson, R.D. Lewis, Morris Bloodworth, and John Hutchison. These meetings were
designed to determine the need for a full-service agriculture program at Kilgore
College. Up to that time
KC only offered lecture courses in agriculture, but no facilities for proper laboratory exercises existed.
During the course of the meetings, Kilgore College
officials apparently liked what they heard and A&M officials approved the proposal they saw. It all came together as Kilgore College
officials later approached the Bruce McMillan, Jr. Foundation of Overton for grant money and land use. Once the paperwork was worked out, Kilgore
College had a 308-acre farm (with access to another 140 acres) less than nine miles
from campus.
“We really have to salute Dr. Stark, Mr. Leverett, Mr. Morton, and Dr. Watson for their
efforts to convince the people at A&M that Kilgore College wanted to establish a quality agricultural program that would
produce superb graduates who would excel in any four-year program,” said Dr. Bill Holda, current KC president. “In return, A&M pledged to help KC develop a plan with long-term strategies.
“These KC officials saw the need for a high-quality agriculture program and sought out
ways to make that program a reality. The series of meetings with A&M officials and later the Bruce McMillan, Jr. Foundation
board members turned out to be very opportunistic. Donald Leverett became, perhaps, the catalyst
for moving the program forward, serving simultaneously on both KC and McMillan boards and being intimately familiar with the
desires and wishes of Bruce and Mary Moore McMillan. Because of those pioneers, today we have a program that consistently
outperforms similar programs anywhere and one of which we can be extremely proud.”
Now, four decades since its founding, Kilgore College
is preparing to celebrate the farm’s 40th anniversary and the first reunion of alumni of the department,
considered one of the best among community colleges in the nation.
That anniversary will be celebrated Saturday, May 8, at the farm northeast
of Overton on State Hwy 135. Registration and farm tours begin at 10 a.m., followed by a hamburger lunch at noon. At 1 p.m. Dr. Holda will welcome those present and give an update on the state of the college.
Next is a panel discussion by the three agricultural instructors who have been associated with
the program, describing additions, contributions, and successes during their respective eras.
The three are Wayne Lacy (1963-1980), Jeff Grote (1980-1992), and Bob Young (1992-current).
Of particular interest will be Wayne Lacy’s recollection regarding how he transformed 308
acres of worn-out oilfield property into one of America’s
most respected community college farms and agricultural programs.
Marcus Hill, president of Agricultural Workers Mutual Auto Insurance Company, is the keynote
speaker. A strong proponent of higher education in agriculture, Hill and his
son, Brandon, have the distinction of being the only father and son to be elected president of the
Texas Association of FFA.
The speaking program is expected to conclude about 3 p.m., leaving ample time for visitation and farm tours. Casual
attire is suggested since the entire speaking part of the program will be held under a large tent
immediately north of the classroom building due to the large number of former students, visitors, and supporters anticipated
in attendance.
Former students of the Kilgore College
agricultural programs who plan to attend the festivities are encouraged to phone 903-834-6255 so a count can
be made for the meal. More information is available on the department’s
independent website (www.kilgorecollegeagfarm.org). Hosts for the entire event are members of the perennial award-winning Kilgore College Agriculture Club which recently received
the Texas Junior College Agriculture Association (TJCAA) 2003-04 “Chapter of the Year Award,” the 10th time in
the past 13 years that the club has received this prestigious honor.
(Article published locally and provided by writer, Ralph Ward Jr.)
