SURREY - From maggot art to a mold display to Angry Sharks - a play on the popular Angry Birds game - there was a ton to see and do at SFU Surrey Thursday evening during its 10-year anniversary open house.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of people came to SFU Surrey to check out the displays, which were set up across the campus in classrooms, hallways and the main foyer. Some booths showcased the works of students, others had information about SFU programs and others were just plain old fun - like the balloon animal station and popcorn machine.

More than 300 SFU students volunteered to run the booths and help out at the event.

Jesmint Dhillon, a fourth-year student in SFU's molecular biology and biochemistry program, was hanging out around the bacteria and mold display Thursday evening, chatting with passersby and potential students.

"I wanted to participate because I love science. I love the labs here," Dhillon said.

She said she talked to many interested students at the open house about the options at SFU, adding that there are many areas of science to jump into.

"It's really exciting talking to potential students, because they'll be the next batch coming in. It's interesting to hear their questions because a lot of them are confused about what the programs are, and they don't really know where they could go, so I've been laying out all the different options for them."

Dhillon said she enjoyed the opportunity to show off her pride in her university.

"I like telling people that it's a great university, especially the Surrey campus," she said. "It's so beautiful, it's a great place to study, and a great place to learn."

And there was no shortage of entertainment at the open house.

Several artists took to the main stage set up in the foyer of the campus, including Dorian Hare.

Later in the night, Dirty Radio, a pop and hip-hop group, rocked the house and the crowd loved it.

SFU president Andrew Petter took to the main stage just after 6 p.m. to talk about how far the "happening" Surrey campus has come over the past 10 years, and to talk about SFU's new vision.

"That vision is of an engaged university," Petter said. "Now I do not have to explain to the people of Surrey what it means to be an engaged university because SFU Surrey is the epitome of an engaged university. The students here are engaged with each other, they're engaged with the community, the community knows this university is there to support it and people from the community see this university as their university."

Petter introduced SFU's new "The Engaged University" promo video.

The video featured several students, alumni and staff.

Surrey school district superintendent Mike McKay was also featured in the video.

"SFU Surrey is having a great impact on the city centre. It's helping to redefine the heart of our community," McKay said in the video.

McKay went on to say that the district has a great partnership with SFU.

"Last year we opened up a counseling centre in one of our high schools. That allowed SFU grad students to provide a whole range of services to our young learners. There's no doubt about it, SFU Surrey has triggered a 10 per cent increase in post-secondary registration. That's a huge jump. SFU doesn't just talk about engagement - they take action," McKay said.

And, like every birthday party, there was cake.

Hundreds of mini cupcakes, topped with red, pink and white icing, were brought out to feed the massive crowd.

But before the cupcake eating commenced, Petter, along with SFU Surrey's executive director Joanne Curry and Jenni Rempel, a third-year student in SFU's school of interactive arts and technology, cut the official birthday cake - a large red cupcake.

areid@thenownewspaper.com