Lone Star Rangerettes in Quad

Old College has played host to an unusual sight, as a dance troupe from Texas performed to an enthusiastic audience.

The Rangerettes, from Kilgore College in east Texas, are currently touring Europe to mark their 75th anniversary.

Formed in 1940, the Rangerettes were established as a way to attract more women to enrol at the College, as well as to entertain crowds at American football games.

Video

In this short film, some of the Rangerettes explain why being in the troupe means so much to them.

Recognised art form

Founded by Gussie Nell Davis, a PE teacher, the Rangerettes decided against using musical instruments in their performances, instead concentrating on choreographed dance routines.

In recognition of her work, Miss Davis was honoured by the Houston Contemporary Museum of Art for creating a “living form” of art, in 1975.

Having performed in Venezuela, France, Singapore, and Romania in previous years, the current tour will include a trip to Dublin, to take part in a Saint Patrick’s Day parade.

Edinburgh and the USA

The University has strong links with the United States, stretching back many centuries, and is currently home to more than 2,000 American students.

Benjamin Franklin, one of the USA’s founding fathers, visited the University, remarking that “the University of Edinburgh possessed a set of truly great men, Professors of Several Branches of Knowledge, as have ever appeared in any age or country.”

In 2014 Edinburgh opened the latest of its Global Offices, in New York City, to help strengthen the University’s strategic relationships across the USA and Canada.

The North American Office manages a diverse range of activities, including fundraising, recruitment, alumni engagement, collaboration with funders and sponsors of research.

The focus of the Office reflects the strength and quality of Edinburgh’s alumni network and of the very active student recruitment that takes place across the USA and Canada.