Dallas College officially opened Red River Hall at its Richland Campus on Nov. 7, in a celebration of the new building’s role in fostering academic collaboration and innovation. Kay Eggleston, Richland president, cut the ceremonial ribbon, marking years of planning and effort.
“The realization of our design vision and goals that we shared with an amazing team of architects and construction and horticulture and landscape and all the teams together, and what we wanted to achieve was creating an exceptional learning environment to inspire students’ innovation and collaboration,” Eggleston said.
Justin Lonon, chancellor of Dallas College, highlighted the college’s ongoing mission to address barriers to student success, especially in helping high school students transition into college.
“With 30,000 dual credit students, the college aims to provide credentials and college credits along the way,” Lonon said. “The facility represents a partnership with ISD partners, helping to remove these barriers and is a manifestation of the college’s commitment to student success.”
Paul Mayer, chair of the Dallas College board oftrustees, acknowledged the team’s dedication to bringing this project to life, specifically recognizing Eggleston’s vision and the detailed work by Senior Director of Campus Administration Janet James, which made Red River Hall a reality.
“We take Dr. Eggleston’s vision and implement it with the details that Janet brings to the table,” Mayer said.
The pandemic and city permitting issues delayed the completion of Red River Hall, but college officials said the wait was well worth it. The hall features 41 classrooms, serving both high school and college students, and includes a Bloomberg lab. Plans are underway to expand food options with a coffee shop and cafeteria.
David Zatopek, a vice president at the Corgan architectural design firm led the team that created and executed the building’s design.
Zatopek said it took a collective effort to bring Red River Hall to life.
“When I look at Red River Hall, I see hands—the hands of all those people involved in the project,” he said. “I see hands that are sketching and drawing, clicking on mice and keyboards… hands driving construction equipment, unloading trucks, laying in bricks, sweeping floors. Hands coming to work each day, bringing their skills and loving touch to make Red River Hall a reality. Campuses like Richland aren’t made real by individual buildings. They’re made real by hands.”
Richardson Mayor Bob Dubey, a former educator, also attended. He reflected on his connection to the project. “Four years ago, I was here shoveling the dirt when they broke ground on it. COVID slowed things down, and it’s a long time coming, but it’s well worth the wait,” Dubey said.
“I’m so proud that [Dallas] College is doing this, and I’m proud of the students who have and will benefit from it.”
Students such as Lindsay Dehenzie, a senior at Richland Collegiate High School and a member of the final graduating class before RCHS coses at the end of this academic year, are excited about what the new building offers.
“It’s really cool that our class is the last class, and we also get this new building—everything’s so clean and nice,” Dehenzie said.
