Via Duke Ellington.

John Payne, an Augustinian Friar who served as principal of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, has died. He was 53. A cause of death was not immediately available.

While he only became principal in August, Payne was involved at Duke Ellington since 1995, first as the director of the He Rose Project and later as Dean of Students.

“Today, our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our friend and colleague Father John Payne,” DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson said in a statement. “During his decades of service at Duke Ellington, Father Payne helped thousands of students achieve their dreams. Whether you knew Father Payne for years, or for only a few minutes, you instantly felt his passion and commitment as a champion of the arts and education. Father Payne insisted upon excellence for his students and was a stalwart believer in possibility and tradition. He had an abundance of faith in his students, showed them love every single day, and set an example that created a welcoming and thriving school community. While we grieve this tragic loss, we send our prayers, our thoughts and our condolences to his family.”

In a statement, Duke Ellington board president Charles Barber said, “Everyone who knew Father Payne regarded him with the utmost respect. He was a brilliant, loving and courageous man who had a passion for helping children. He dedicated his life to the students of Ellington for twenty years.”

Barber said grief counselors would be available through Tuesday. Additional information about where to send condolences is forthcoming: “Please join us in supporting Father Payne’s family by respecting their privacy and keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.”

Payne was born in Washington, D.C. and lived in Petworth. According a biography on Ellington’s website, he was committed to recruiting students from Wards 7 and 8, and looked “forward to continuing to develop support systems that lead to student achievement.”