Heart and Hustle

Bauer Honors Wins Annual UH Spirit Bell Competition

Photo of the Bauer Honors office decorated for the Spirit Bell Competition with plentiful read hearts and Cougar gear.

Every fall, the University of Houston campus comes alive with Cougar red and festive spirit for Homecoming Week — and one of the most anticipated traditions is the annual Spirit Bell Competition, sponsored by UH Staff Council. This year’s theme: “Heart of Houston.”

Taking the prize in 2025, the C. T. Bauer College of Business Honors Program.

As part of the annual event that spans a decade of school spirit, campus office teams, like Bauer Honors, compete to creatively transform their spaces into a celebration of UH pride, community and the Homecoming Week theme. Judging is based on originality, cougar spirit, creativity and overall appearance. This year’s judges included:

Antoinette Marvels, Staff Council events committee co-chair
Shanekia Gradney, Staff Council events committee co-chair
Courtney Washington, Staff Council program manager
Kathy Frank, UH alumnus

Wanting to dominate this year’s competition, the Bauer Honors team started planning in July. Once the theme was announced in September, they embraced a love-filled interpretation, decorating their office with heart-shaped designs in red and white to showcase their passion for Houston, UH, Bauer College and their students.

“The first thing we did was create a heart-shaped collage of all things Houston and Bauer Honors,” said Britney Dzu, program manager for Bauer Honors. “A mix of our two loves.”

Student staff members Tina Tran and Hirni Bhuta led the creative charge, turning their space into a celebration of everything that makes UH and Houston special. Rounding out the team was Program Manager Britney Dzu, Program Director Sarah Gnospelius and Program Director Colleen Davies.

Bauer Honors team standing in front of their decorated office window.

The winning Bauer Honors team included: Program Director Colleen Davies, students Hirni Bhuta and Tina Tran, Program Manager Britney Dzu, and Program Director Sarah Gnospelius.

A photo collage in the shape of a heart with red pinstripes behind it on a white wall with red flowers.

A heart wall collage shares the students’ favorite things about Houston and Bauer Honors.

From a heart-monitor inspired timeline showing the histories of UH and Bauer, to a heart-shaped collage blending all things Houston and Bauer Honors, their design pulsed with originality and Cougar pride.

Highlights included:

Window art featuring advisors Sarah and Colleen as the “heart” of Bauer Honors
Homecoming mum-inspired decor, skyline artwork, and plenty of Shasta and Sasha
A heart wall with students’ favorite things about Houston and Bauer Honors

“The Houston skyline is undeniably another piece of the Heart of Houston,” said Dzu. “We can see it from campus and it's a part of who we are.”

Their thoughtful, collaborative approach — and dazzling execution — earned them top honors and the coveted Spirit Bell trophy. Their win was also announced during the Homecoming game on Oct. 18 vs. Arizona.

“The creativity, enthusiasm, and team spirit truly captured the Heart of Houston and Homecoming,” said Courtney Washington, who served as a judge for the event. “We’re so impressed by the energy and effort brought to the challenge. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event a success. Let’s continue to carry this spirit forward throughout the year! Go Coogs!”