DayBreak Café (Ground Floor)

At the base of the Social Stairs, you’ll find the DayBreak Cafe—a spot that blends the rhythm of student life with a moment to pause and recharge. Here, the hum of conversation mixes with footsteps on the stairs above, creating a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. Students grab coffee or a snack, meet a friend, or pause to watch the flow of activity through the atrium.

The cafe’s design is approachable and thoughtful, making it feel like a small haven within the building. At the same time, it connects seamlessly to the Social Stairs and central Atrium, giving visitors a sense of the Robert Day Sciences Center’s energy and movement.

This space was made possible by the generosity of alumnus and honorary Trustee Glenn L. Hickerson ’59 and his wife, Cheryl Ray Hickerson, whose gift established the café. Glenn also chose the name “DayBreak Café” as a nod to Robert A. Day, CMC’s longest-serving member of the Board of Trustees and a devoted leader whose vision and support for the College shaped generations of students. By naming the café in his honor, the space reflects not just a place to pause and recharge, but also the legacy and impact that defines the building itself.

Make your way to the McElwee Forum to the right of the DayBreak Café to hear about the next stop.