Contacts:
Ann Hatch, Director of Media Relations, DCCCD, 214-378-1819
Priscilla Staley, Marketing Director, El Centro College, 972-233-9824
For immediate release — July 8, 2016
(DALLAS) — El Centro College and the entire Dallas County Community College District are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred in downtown Dallas on Thursday, July 7. The main campus of El Centro College was directly affected when the perpetrator entered the college, including the second floor of the C building.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of this senseless tragedy, and our prayers are with them and their families," said Dr. Joe May, DCCCD’s chancellor.
“El Centro College was born in the aftermath of another American tragedy, the assassination of John F. Kennedy,” added May. “Since its founding, it’s been defined not by whom we exclude, but by whom we include. El Centro will continue to be an institution that welcomes all in Dallas County.
“I am very proud of our people for displaying the type of uncommon heroic behavior that really exemplifies El Centro, the Dallas County Community College District and the city of Dallas.”
May continued, “I’m proud of the outstanding role that our colleges play in the communities we serve, and it’s our employees who make a real difference, not only in the lives of our students but also in the communities in which they live and work. It is that spirit which will allow us to continue to provide the type of quality education needed to ensure better lives and better communities.”
Dr. José Adames, president of El Centro College, offered these words: “Our hearts go out to the officers’ families and everyone involved. It’s a tragic day for Dallas and the country. El Centro College prides itself in being a family, and in this tragic moment, we are more committed than ever to demonstrate, through our positive thoughts and actions, that we are indeed a family."
Adames added, “The El Centro family recognizes the outstanding bravery of our police officers in this life-and-death situation. Our police officers did not pause in protecting our students and employees. They exemplify the best of our police force.”
The downtown campus, as well as locations at 701 Elm St. and the Paramount Building, will remain closed until buildings are released by the Dallas Police Department back to the college. El Centro’s West Campus and the Bill J. Priest Institute will be open this weekend.
Counseling is being offered to students, employees and police officers. Until the main campus reopens, students and employees can call a 24-hour crisis line at 775-784-8090 or text “answer” to 839863; contact Crisis Counseling at 800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746; or call 800-273-8255.
El Centro College was founded in 1965 and enrolled its first students in September 1966. There are three campuses: Main campus, 801 Main St., downtown Dallas; West Campus, 3330 N. Hampton Road, Dallas; and Bill J. Priest Institute, on Corinth Street, in South Dallas. Classes also are held at the Paramount Building (nursing and allied health); 701 Elm Street; the Wellness Center, 800 Main St.; and One Main, 1201 Main St.
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Read media updates on the shooting in downtown Dallas: