James Earl Rudder High School is named after James Earl Rudder, a highly decorated World War II soldier. His honors include the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Silver Star, and French Legion of Honor.[5]
While lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, he led the group up 100 ft. cliffs on a beach in Normandy on D-Day. After the war, Rudder served as mayor of Brady, Texas from 1946 to 1952. In 1955 he was appointed State Land Commissioner, where he worked to "increase the permanent endowments for public schools and universities." He became the president of Texas A&M College (now known as Texas A&M University) in 1959, located in neighboring College Station. While president, he was instrumental in allowing women to attend the university.[6]
History
Bryan Independent School District decided to build the new high school mainly because of overcrowding at Bryan High School. The funding came from a $104 million bond agreement.[7] Before the campus was built, 300 James Earl Rudder High School students attended Bryan High School's campus for the first year of the campus' completion, and their core classes were taught by new Rudder teachers.[8] Hon. Chet Edwards of the House of Representatives attended the school's dedication.[9]
FineArts
Rudder High School has a large variety of fine arts and career paths to join. Students can go to competitions for these courses in SkillsUSA, and Technology Skill Association (TSA) to demonstrate their skills and get recognition.
The school has a District 18-5A football program and shares a football stadium with Bryan High School. Recent renovations to the football stadium include a $1.1 million Matrix turf[11] with an 11,000 seat capacity.[12]
Gymnastics
The Rudder boys' gymnastics team won a state championship title two times in three years (2013-2016).[13]
