Even in the company of both gray skies and rain, attendance at Wednesday’s Organizational Expo surpassed expectations, expo officials said.

This year’s expo, which was held on the second floor of the Holmes Student Center, included representatives from 88 different student organizations.

“In terms of the number of students walking through, I think we’ve had more people this year than last year,” said Z. Ahmad, program coordinator for University Programming and Activities. It’s possible that the wet weather even helped to bring in students who were attempting to stay dry on their way back from class into the expo, Ahmad added.

Groups in attendance ranged from the well-known Student Association to lesser-known interests such as The Society For Creative Anachronism, a medieval age revival group, and The Flying Huskies, which was offering free twenty-minute plane rides over campus.

There were also six organizations, such as the Campus Activities Board and the Gay-Lesbian Union, which held open houses within the student center. Students also had the opportunity to register to vote and make plans to donate blood.

Almost all organizations present reported a large number of student sign-ups for their programs.

“I’m impressed on how many people have turned out,” said Janet Potter, a student involved with the Student Volunteer Corps Program.

Response to the event appeared positive from students, faculty and administration.

“I’m really glad to see all the student organizations that have showed up,” said SA President Paul Middleton.

“I’m pleased to see the number of students involved. It brings energy to the student center,” said Barbara Henley, vice president for Student Affairs.

“It’s a very good representation of activities in the university about which students should be informed,” said NIU President John La Tourette.

Ahmad said he would like next year’s expo to be “part of the bigger picture,” tied into the SA recognition process and SA Senate elections. He added that he would like the SA to take a bigger part in running the expo itself.

“Next year I’m hoping the SA does take the expo back again,” said Anna Bicanic, SA Public Relations director, “especially with the help of Z—he’s been amazing with organizing this.”