Dallas Baptist University was evacuated Thursday morning after unverified threats ahead of hosting Mayor Eric Johnson and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.
The university said in a news release it is assessing the situation and working with law enforcement. While there is no confirmed sign of immediate danger, the university said, it canceled class Thursday “out of an abundance of caution.”
“The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff remain our highest priority,” the news release said.
Dallas Police Department is on the scene assisting, said a DPD spokesperson.
The Education Lab
Turner was set to give his remarks at 9:30 a.m. at the HUD Center for Faith’s Opportunity Zones Summit. His talk would have focused on how faith-based organizations could help “vulnerable Americans achieve economic prosperity” by investing in “Opportunity Zones,” or economically distressed communities.
“Opportunity Zones” are nominated by governors and certified by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, according to the HUD website. Investments in these areas could be eligible for preferential tax treatment.
Johnson was set to give remarks about public-private partnerships and uplifting underserved communities.
Turner, a lifelong Texan, was confirmed last year by the U.S. Senate to be the 19th HUD Secretary.
Dallas Baptist University, which serves about 4,200 students, is located in southwest Dallas. The school offers 79 undergraduate programs and 37 graduate programs, with an emphasis on Christ-centered learning.
Related
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
