John Griffin (center), a senior at Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, Mo., won a brand new iPad at Spring 2011 UMSL Day March 5 and posed with cheerleader Elishia Seals and Louie the Triton.

More than 150 prospective students and nearly 500 people filled the Millennium Student Center Saturday at the University of Missouri-St. Louis for the spring 2011 UMSL Day. According to Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Marketing Officer Ron Gossen, the numbers reflect an increase of more than 50 percent over last spring. It also surpassed the record set at the fall 2010 UMSL Day.

Louie the Triton, UMSL cheerleaders, staff and students were on hand to welcome everyone, offer advice and directions. Chancellor Tom George welcomed the crowd that gathered in the Century Rooms. Faculty staffed information tables in The Nosh, offering insight on UMSL’s many degree programs, and deans and advisers offered detailed information on colleges and courses. The offices for financial aid, admissions, career services and the UMSL Bookstore stayed busy all day.

Four prospective students won some great door prizes. And John Griffin, a junior at Parkway Central High School, was the big winner of the UMSL Day giveaway, a free i-Pad. As he went up to the podium to pick up his prize, someone shouted it was his birthday. The audience spontaneously sang “Happy Birthday.” Griffin said it was one of the best days of his life.

View UMSL Day photos: bit.ly/hitPRg

View UMSL Day video on youtube: bit.ly/dI1sBN