Returning Umpqua CC students receive warm greeting

Hundreds of residents lined both sides of Umpqua College Road leading up to the campus as students and faculty returned.

The crowd was full of tears and cheers, waving flags and holding handmade signs.

Jay Richards, family Physician at Umpqua Community Center, brought his family out to support.

“We’ve all wanted to show our support from what happened. There’s been a lot of activities we’ve been able to participate in. I think the first day back is an important one to attend,” Richards says.

Kim Fox lives just a mile away from the campus and manages a daycare. She had her kids dropped off early so they could come out Monday morning and show off their crafts they made on Friday. A green cutout shaped Oregon that had read “UCC Strong.” One in which her son, Dane was holding.

When asked what the eight year old was doing with Dane answers, “to see all these good people that didn’t go to heaven.”

A lady holding a sign that read “courage” with a heart says this must be a terrifying experience for families to face. But offering support and strength is the least she can do. “With the gun control it’s been really hard because there’s obviously different sides to that but I think most everybody is able to say this is not about guns right now, it’s about families.”

Students that return on Tuesday morning can expect the same welcome back.