The staff in Institutional Research is becoming a juggernaut when it comes to the Homecoming door-decorating contest. For the second time in three years (they didn’t enter last year), the office won the annual competition.

“With less than a week to complete the project, we had a brief brainstorming session and then stayed late in the evenings to work on it,” said Ashley Burkes of Institutional Research. “We also came in very early on the day of judging to finish up.

“We took the theme ‘Unleash the Tiger Within’ and ran with it. The U of M football player morphed into a giant tiger and, for a bit of cheekiness, we morphed the SMU Mustang player into a ‘My Little Pony.’ Once we added the Astroturf field, lights and music, it all just sort of came together.”

If SMU had seen the door before the football game, the team might have fled the building and returned to Dallas.

Though they remain humble, the office has developed swagger, but still are unsure if they will be back to defend the title next year.

Second place went to the Alumni Center while third was the Office of the Provost.

The U of M’s Residence Hall Council sponsored the event.

Pictured above are OIR staff Cindy Martin, Bridgette Decent, Kenya Sanders (of Academic Affairs), Gary Donhardt (OIR director), Bonnie Briggs and Burkes.