COD open house shows off new facilities

Prospective students from across the country joined Glen Ellyn-area residents Saturday at an open house starring four of College of DuPage’s new or newly renovated buildings.

And visitors seemed impressed with the new facilities, including the Culinary & Hospitality Center, the Homeland Security Education Center and the newly renovated Berg Instructional Center and Student Services Center.

Those who toured the Culinary & Hospitality Center watched students in baking and food preparation classes learn their skills in large, professional kitchens with glass windows.

“Coming in and seeing that kitchen right off the bat like that — it’s an amazing kitchen,” said Kacey Carroll, 19, of Spokane, Wash.

Carroll’s uncle, a corporate chef, heard about the new facility and brought her along for a tour of the building and the campus.

“The atmosphere that the college is in — the suburban area — I love it because that’s what I’m from,” Carroll said.

Student ambassadors greeting people as they entered said about 200 had toured the Culinary & Hospitality Center by the time the open house was halfway over.

Crowds including DuPage County residents, scout groups and Aurora police Chief Greg Thomas also flocked to the Homeland Security Education Center — specifically its tactical village. The two-story indoor area simulates a suburban streetscape so police and fire personnel in training can practice responses to emergency scenarios.

“We’ve seen it being constructed for the past year or more,” Wheaton resident Bob Doyle said about the Homeland Security Education Center. “We’re very interested in seeing how people can now find new training for improvements in our security and well-being.”

The Doyles live just a few blocks from College of DuPage’s main campus, Bob’s wife, Maureen, said.

“We’re seeing how our tax money is being used,” she said.