Chapman Graduate School wins university-wide and college Homecoming competitions.

Beating out the competition comes naturally to the Chapman Graduate School of Business at Florida International University (FIU), one of the country’s top business schools. But competition during Homecoming Week 2010 was a different challenge: showcase your Panther Pride!

The graduate school certainly demonstrated winning ways. It achieved the top spot in the second annual FIU Homecoming Spirit Decoration Competition, a university-wide challenge, by constructing and displaying an innovative float that depicted each graduate program.

Business school holds their second annual internal competition.

The Chapman School also was one of the winners in the College of Business Administration’s own decorating contest.

For this internal competition, prizes were awarded for best homecoming decoration to:

Cubicle: Janey Sardinas and Adelaida Ojeda, Decisions Sciences and Information Systems department
Office: Office of Finance
Department: Chapman School

“At the Chapman School, their entire floor was decorated and it was clear nobody missed out,” said Yanyn San Luis (BA ’10), coordinator, student and alumni relations. She and Melissa Izquierdo (BBA ’10), coordinator, corporate and community relations, handled the details of homecoming events for the business school.

“Blue and gold was everywhere in the business school, and so was FIU Spirit!” said Izquierdo. “Many people used mascot Roary but adapted him to the business school, such as putting him in a suit.”

Competition judge Raul Gonzalez (MSHRM ’08, BBA ’98), manager, human resources, said the cleverness of the contestants made it tough to select winners.

“I was looking for spirit, creativity and effort,” he said. “What surprised me was the attention to detail in each of the winning areas.”

Winners were announced and prizes of gift baskets were awarded at the business school’s pep rally on November 4th.

The business school staff and students also decorated a float for the homecoming parade held November 6th.

“We were very pleased with the spirit of the college during homecoming season,” said Annabelle Rojas (MBA ’98, BBA ’87), assistant dean, advancement, alumni, and corporate relations. “Participating in the homecoming week helps to strengthen the strong team spirit that we already have.”