Digital Commons Network^™

Power And Influence: A Media Analysis Of Toxic Leadership In Michael Scott & Jordan Belfort, Lily M. Garrison, Aidan Hammond

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

For our SACAD presentation, we were given the task of looking at and analyzing two toxic leaders from various types of media, this could be from books, movies, television shows, or video games. The purpose of this was to look at the various traits these people have that make them classified as toxic leaders. For our examples, we chose to analyze Jordan Belfort, specifically from the movie, “The Wolf of Wall Street”(M. Scorsese, 2013). As well as Michael Scott from “The Office”(A. Greene, 2005). The theme that connects these two is as simple as being business people, they are each …

Gender-Responsive Treatment For Girls And Women Within The Criminal Justice System, Kylie R. Huelsmann

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

There is a need for improved gender-responsive approaches for women and girls in the criminal justice system, especially for women of color and transgender individuals. Traditional programs built around men often neglect the unique challenges faced by these populations, such as substance use disorders, mental health conditions, trauma histories, and acting as caregivers. Women, in particular, experience higher rates of recidivism and barriers to successful reintegration. Trauma-informed and evidence-based programs that address mental health, addiction, and family support, ultimately lead to more effective rehabilitation and reduce recidivism for women and girls after adjudication.

Incrimination Of Carlton Lewis, Kaia L. Fox

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

On February 7, 1990, Cheryl Coleman was found dead in her apartment, sexually assaulted and beaten to death with a 2x4 piece of wood. Carlton Lewis became one the of few suspects in the case. Despite providing a statement that he was at his home at the time of the murder and the word of his wife, a suspect named William McKee was interviewed and said he saw Lewis go to a house on the corner of the street with Coleman. After McKee was interviewed, Lewis, who was illiterate at the time, was forced into a false confession by being …

25 Years For A Crime He Didn’T Commit: Anthony Wright, Caleb D. Purvis

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Anthony Wright was found guilty of the rape and murder of an elderly woman in 1991 in Philadelphia. He was then convicted in 1993 (Kaur, 2020). Anthony Wright spent the next 25 years in prison before becoming the 344th person to be exonerated by DNA in the US (Innocence Project, 2025). Upon the re-examination of the evidence found at the crime scene, a new suspect was identified, but had already passed away, preventing any criminal charges from being filed against them. Anthony Wright also filed a civil lawsuit on January 17, 2017, after his exoneration (Wright v. Philadelphia, 2017).

Investigating Consumer Preferences For Laptop Computers Using Choice-Based Conjoint (Cbc) Analysis, Xiaoyi Yan

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study employs a choice-based joint (CBC) analysis to investigate college students' preferences for laptop computers. Data was collected from 49 students at a university in the Midwestern part of the United States. The authors focused on five attributes: brand, price, screen size, performance, and battery life. The results show that branding, especially Apple, is the most critical factor, indicating strong brand loyalty or perceived quality. Performance and battery life followed as most important and can be affected by high usage. Conversely, the impact of screen size is minimal, suggesting that students are prioritizing portability and functionality over larger displays. …

Creating A Story Stroll, Maryssa L. Schlaefli

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The Larned Story Stroll is an interactive outdoor literacy initiative designed to promote reading and physical activity among children and families. Located along the perimeter trail of Larned City Pond in Larned, KS, the Story Stroll features a series of podiums displaying pages from children's books. Each podium also presents questions to encourage meaningful discussions between children and their guardians as they walk the trail. Funded by the Neighborhood Youth Grant from Golden Belt Coop, the project aims to foster a love for reading, provide a safe space for youth engagement, and strengthen community ties. Stories featured in the Stroll …

Study Of Asf1a Protein’S Biological Significance In Arabidopsis Thaliana Via Phenotypic Manifestations Of Crispr/Cas Induced A. Thaliana Asf1a Mutagenesis, Yue Fan, Tara Phelps-Durr

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

ANTI-SILENCING FUNCTION 1A (ASF1a) is a multifunctional protein involved in pivotal cellular processes. In plants, ASF1a interacts with HIRA to participate in KNOX genes silencing. To further characterize how ASF1a regulates gene expression, a CRISPR CAS 9 vector was created and ready to be transferred into Arabidopsis thaliana to induce mutations in the 3’ region of the A. thaliana ASF1a gene that corresponds to the ASF histone chaperone protein domain. We hypothesized that phyllotactic alterations will take place as a result of the mutations.

Manipulation And Power: A Comparative Analysis Of Toxic Leadership In Mean Girls And The Hunger Games, Madeline G. Schlyer, Kerstin R. Brown

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project employs a qualitative media analysis to compare two toxic leaders, Regina George from Mean Girls (2004) and President Snow from The Hunger Games series. Both characters exhibit manipulative leadership tactics to maintain control in different social contexts. Regina, the dominant queen bee of her high school, leads The Plastics through emotional manipulation and fear tactics. She employs a transactional leadership style, offering social rewards for compliance and punishing lack of agreement with exclusion. Her leadership is rooted in a need for validation, using her followers to reinforce her own status. In contrast, President Snow rules through violence and …

A Year In Review: Updates & Opportunities From The Generative Ai Task Force, Magdalene Moy

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This poster presents the work for 2024-2025 of the Generative AI Task Force at Fort Hays State University, a multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to enhancing AI literacy and engagement across campus and the broader community. Our mission is grounded in three foundational pillars: education and outreach, policy development, and research and future careers. Over the past year, we have launched community workshops, AI literacy initiatives, and interdisciplinary research projects to foster responsible and informed use of generative AI tools.

This poster also highlights our efforts to identify both the opportunities and challenges of generative AI within academic contexts. A major outcome …

Projection Mapping Augmented Reality Golf Simulator, Honesty Beaton, Jonathan T. Hunnacutt, Juan D. Guzman-Duran

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Our Augmented Reality (AR) Golf Simulator combines projection mapping, computer vision, motion tracking, and game development to create an interactive mini golf experience played entirely on the floor. Using a series of short-throw projectors, we display a virtual mini-golf course on a flat surface. A player uses a real putter to "hit" a virtual ball, which responds in real time thanks to our custom tracking and physics system. This project allows players to experience mini-golf in a digital environment while still using real-world actions. By developing a physics-based motion tracking system, we make the gameplay feel natural and intuitive. This …

Corrupted Kings And Heroes: Toxic Leadership Of Scar And Homelander, Brandon Mckenna

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project uses a qualitative media analysis to look at toxic leadership through a comparative study of two characters: Scar, villainous usurper from “The Lion King,” and Homelander, publicly revered leader of superheroes and private psychopath from “The Boys.” These characters, despite their distinct contexts, exhibit toxic leadership styles. Drawing upon Haslam et al.’s (2020) "The New Psychology of Leadership," this analysis examines the context of their rule, their manipulation of identity, and their impact on followers. Scar’s thirst for power by any means necessary demonstrates a leader who manipulates others for personal gain. Meanwhile, Homelander’s narcissism and greed for …

Fcrh Honors Program: 2024-25 Year In Review, Fcrh Honors Program

FCRH Honors Program Newsletters and Reports

No abstract provided.

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter Newsletter, Issue #67 April 2025

Gamma Sigma Delta, Nebraska Chapter: Newsletters

President's message, Deb VanOverbeke

Student awards: Outstanding Junior Lara Arnold, Outstanding Senior Emily Eilers, Graduate Award Caitlin Ross

Dues and membership information

Faculty awards: Research Award Samodha Fernando, Teaching Award Gary Sullivan, Extension Awards Jenny Nixon and Bijesh Maharjan, Award of Merit Mike Boehm

Gamma Sigma Delta committees 2025

Foundation fund information

New members inducted

In memoriam: Dorothy "Dotti" Mott Callahan (May 4, 1942-August 12, 2023); Frank Michael Zoz (November 5, 1936-December 9, 2023); Duane Calvin Acker (March 13, 1931-December 13, 2024); John C. Owens (1944-2024); Duane A. Olson (July 17, 1935-January 5, 2025); Roger W. Mandingo (April 21, 1939-January …

Characteristics Of A Marianist Education, Alyssa Homsy

Presentations - 2025

This presentation was given by a first-year student on an essay she wrote for her first-year seminar class on the characteristics of a Marianist Education.

The Society of Mary, which founded our university, is a Catholic religious sect of brothers and priest founded by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade in 1817. It is an organization dedicated to education, social justice and forming communities of faith.

2025 Commencement Program - Spring, Morehead State University. Registrar's Office.

Morehead State Commencement Programs

2025 Spring Commencement program for Morehead State University.

Full Issue 17(2) 2025

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Introduction 17(2) 2025, Rosalind Latiner Raby

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.

Volume 34, Number 1, Spring 2025, Office Of Communications, Illinois Wesleyan University

Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine, 2018-present

VOLUME 34 | NUMBER 1 | Spring 2025

ON OUR COVER:

The Shirk Center has been a cherished University landmark for 30 years.

22 30 Years of Shirk. In 2024, the Shirk Center reaced a new milestone with its 30th anniversary. The Center still serves as an essential community hub for campus and Bloomington-Normal.

24 A Hearth for Haiti. Kevin Hineline '88 is working with IWU physics students to develop a new cooking stove for use in the most impoverished and disaster-stricken regions of the world.

28 Setting the Standard. Jeff Becker '01 and Matt Gavin '01 are the minds …

April 2025 Library & Learning Newsletter, Minnesota State University, Mankato. Library & Learning Dean’S Office Communications Team

Library & Learning Newsletters

PDF version of the April 2025 (Volume 3, Issue 6) Library & Learning Newsletter.

Prolific, Issue 3

Prolific

Contents:

--- Words from the Creators
--- Black History Month: Why We Celebrate
--- Metro Records: Vinyl Vibes
--- Los Carros: Driven Legacy
--- Women's History Month: Power in Red
--- AAPI: Neon Futures
--- Prolific Pride: Untamed Beauty
--- Special Thanks: Our Contributors

Linking Cerebral Small Vessel Disease To Impaired Ltp In The Hippocampus, Sofia Touil

Expo Student Presentations

2025 Spring Expo Oral Presentation

• Works in Progress

Casey Anthony Case, Shelby L. Woodyard

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Casey Anthony is the mother of Caylee Anthony who went missing in 2008. Her mother called the police to report her missing 31 days after her last sighting. During the investigation, Anthony lied to police on multiple occasions which lead them to arrest her for the murder of her daughter. Anthony was then charged with first degree murder along with aggravated child abuse and aggravated manslaughter of a child. Caylee’s body was found shortly after the missing person's report, wrapped in a blanket near the Anthony’s home. Florida wanted the death penalty in the case against Casey Anthony with mostly …

The Impact Of Free Course Materials On Study And Financial Habits: A Survey Of Students Taking Z-Courses At Fhsu, Claire Nickerson

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

A z-course is a course that uses zero-cost course materials. In Fall of 2025, a study of students taking z-courses at FHSU was conducted. The goal was to determine how using free course materials affected students’ budgetary and study habits.

Examining Mental Health In Mass Shooters, Christina K. Robison, Brooke Mann

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Mass shootings are defined as shootings that cause 4 or more deaths not including the shooter (excluding those committed in connection to underlying criminal activity, such as gangs or drugs); examples include workplace shootings, school shootings, public shootings, shootings at places of worship, etc. There have been 195 mass shootings since 1966, with 1,398 reported deaths. While several factors influence mass shootings, research points to psychological, sociological, and economic influences. This analysis is over 3 separate studies, having between 172-177 shooters each with the same basic demographics, but separate focuses. Overall, the main focus is looking for patterns that could …

Identifying The Strongest Links: Factors That Drive Graduate Students’ Progress From Interest To Enrollment, Lauren Stallbaumer, Grace Cook, Pearl Brown

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study examined factors which influence graduate students' decisions to pursue speech- language pathology from initial exposure to final program selection. Through a survey, key links were identified at all stages. Findings suggest recruitment should begin with high school students who exhibit healthcare interests and value mentorship at the graduate level.

Murder On The Plains: The Murdock Farmhouse Slayings, Tatum L. Sander

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

On April 17, 2006, Wayne and Sharmon Stock were murdered in Murdock, Nebraska, shocking the community. The investigation was complicated by wrongful arrests and mishandled evidence. Initially, Matthew Livers, the victims’ nephew, and his cousin Nicholas Sampson were wrongfully accused after Livers gave a false confession during an 11-hour interrogation. There was no physical evidence linking them to the crime, and the case relied on a fabricated blood sample. However, forensic evidence later revealed that the real killers were Jessica Reid and Gregory Fester, two teenagers from Wisconsin. Livers' confession was deemed unreliable due to his low IQ and the …

Resurrecting The Past: Engineering Ancestral Enzymes For Modern Bacterial Applications, Gregory M. Gladkowski Iii, Masa Watanabe

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction (ASR) is a computational technique that infers and resurrects ancient protein sequences to explore molecular evolution and enable protein engineering. By integrating phylogenetics and statistical modeling, ASR produces stable, mutation-tolerant enzymes ideal for directed evolution. This poster presents a workflow for reconstructing enzymes from pathogenic bacteria and highlights ASR’s value in uncovering novel functions and advancing applications in drug discovery and synthetic biology.

A School-University Research Practice Partnership: Why, How And What's Next, Stephanie Knight, Larry Featherstone

Presentations

This symposium will utilize three unique examples of collaborative research projects taking place under CERI to richly describe features of the partnership. Through the three papers, a summary presentation of features of the overall consortium, discussant comments, and brief Q&A with the presenters, we aim to highlight how CERI is encountering and addressing challenges common to RPPs as well as addressing some emergent and regional issues in innovative ways.

As an RPP, CERI is guided by three broad principles. (1) Mutuality - CERI was developed to benefit both the university and the large local urban school district. Problems of practice …

Virtual Victor: Bringing Our Mascot To Life, Juan D. Guzman-Duran, Jonathan T. Hunnacutt, Honesty Beaton

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

In this project, we transformed the Fort Hays State University tiger mascot into a fully rigged, animated virtual character. Using Adobe’s character animation tools, we created a model that can mirror and perform human movements in real time. The system uses a camera to track facial expressions and body motion, which are then mapped onto the tiger character. This poster includes the following: "Why We Made Virtual Victor," "Procedure," "Why is Victor Useful," and "What We Learned."

Deception And Domination: A Comparative Analysis Of Toxic Leadership In Scar: The Lion King And Mother Gothel: Tangled, Anneliese Elder, Cale T. Cormaney

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Abstract: This project revolves around toxic leadership through a comparative analysis of two infamous Disney villains: Scar from The Lion King and Mother Gothel from Tangled. Through the use of qualitative media analysis, this study examines how both characters manipulate power, as well as exploit followers, and exhibit various destructive leadership traits. Referencing Haslam et al.’s (2020) The New Psychology of Leadership, the analysis focuses on their particular leadership contexts, and their use of deception and control to create a sense of fear within those they lead. Scar’s leadership is characterized by manipulation, betrayal, and an obsession with power. In …