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Issue date: 10/1/07 Section: Cover stories

Media Credit: Sarah Gerace The Mori Hosseini Center will welcome students, diplomats, faculty, administration and a host of community leaders during its grand opening Nov. 3, a celebration that kicks off Daytona Beach College's 50th 'Diamond Jubilee' observance for 2007.

From shining inlaid floors in the lobby to a tiered fountain and Coffee Emporium, the Mori Hosseini Center looks like a four-star hotel.

However glamorous in appearance, this fully functional new addition to DBCC's Daytona Campus adds an air of sophistication to the school and houses DBCC's Culinary Institute, Café 101 and the Southeast Museum of Photography.

The Southeast Museum of Photography is represented in the main lobby of the building as patterns in the tile floors, mimicing a round camera lens, and circular patterns of tile that appear to be delicate strips of film. Inside the SMP, a cutting-edge lighting system paired with beautiful bamboo flooring make the atmosphere a perfect backdrop
for future exhibits.

The new museum also holds a store which will sell paraphernalia from current exhibits, but specialize in books and items relating to photography.

Though the gallery space for the Southeast Museum of Photography has not grown exponentially, they have added a series of work areas that will increase the functionality of the museum.

Museum Director Kevin Miller says that the old building was completely inefficient, and likens their previous workspace to "a theater without a backstage or wings, just a stage." Now, the new space addresses these issues by adding storage and resources for research and includes a large vault to hold the museum's permanent collection.

Part of the Southeast Museum is a beautiful and luxurious movie theater which seats 82 people in comfort. Per tradition, the museum will show films related to its exhibits in the theater and offer select educational films throughout the semester.

The Southeast Museum of Photography holds its grand opening on Nov. 3.

The Mori Hosseini Center also houses Café 101, DBCC's student-run restaurant. Café 101 had its grand debut on Sept. 17 and is open for lunch Monday through Friday with reservations available at 11:30 a.m. or noon. The café seats 125 and has a beautiful open grill. Meals at Café 101 are prepared by students from the College's School of Hospitality and Culinary Management and is overseen by master chefs and professors of the culinary school.

A high-def kitchen gives the Culinary Institute at DBCC the ability to broadcast lessons anywhere from across campus to the Internet. Hospitality classrooms on the second floor feature computer stations at every desk and big windows to let in natural light. Even the stairwells to the classrooms hold true to the elegance of the Mori Hosseini Center, with ornate chandeliers, completing a picture perfect presentation.

Attention to detail is key throughout the Mori Hosseini Center. This same detail and care is given to each patron and student who pass through the building. Whether they are there to enjoy the arts or to learn from the masters, this building will serve the campus regally.

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