Bryan College closes Wednesday amid 'unverified bomb threat'

DAYTON — On Wednesday, May 1, at 10 a.m., an “unverified threat” was found on the first floor of Bryan College’s Latimer Student Center, according to a press release from Bryan College officials.

“A student made another student aware of the note, and the Director of Residence Life was then informed,” school officials said. “Tim Hostetler, Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Finance, and Nick Pacurari, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, were then made aware. Proper protocols were followed and the Dayton police were contacted.”

Officials with the Dayton Police Department said on Thursday that the incident was still under investigation.

School officials said a campus notice was sent to students through the emergency alert system and that by 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, all buildings were cleared and access to all buildings was removed.

“The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority. We are taking this threat seriously and we are working closely with law enforcement to thoroughly investigate and ensure our campus remains secure. Out of an abundance of caution, we have evacuated buildings in the potential threat area until we can confirm there is no danger present,” said Dr. Douglas F. Mann, President of Bryan College.

The campus was closed as authorities investigated the “unverified bomb threat,” school officials said. Exams scheduled for Wednesday afternoon were rescheduled, and students were notified accordingly, school officials said.

Faculty and staff were excused for the remainder of the day, school officials said, though essential personnel continued working and remained available as needed.

New Union Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Dayton and Grace Bible Church opened their doors to students while campus was evacuated and closed for the day. In addition, the Director of Residence Life was made available to students for immediate support, through the Urgent Response number.

“We will continue to update the campus with more information as it becomes available,” college officials said.

This is the second bomb threat investigated at the college in two weeks. In late April, two students were arrested for allegedly making similar threats to another student.