Digital Commons Network^™

The U.S. Military's Development And Use Of The Helicopter Throughout The Viet-Nam War, Benjamin C. Arvin

Scholars Week

From the early 1960s to the mid 1970s, the helicopter’s roles were evolved far beyond what was present in the Korean War. It’s specializations included responsibilities such as medical evacuation, troop and cargo transportation, and direct assault. With each of these roles came designated models to be used for their specific test. The jungles of Viet-Nam would serve as a proving ground for this new aircraft, which would come to be essential for the United States military as the war continued, with each individual model proving their strengths and weaknesses both in and out of combat. Ultimately, this new revolutionary …

The Wave Has Rolled Upon The Rock: The Viability Of Pickett's Charge, Taylor G. Smith

Scholars Week

This paper examines the viability of the famous military action at the Battle of Gettysburg known as “Pickett’s Charge.” It argues that the charge was not a stratagem capable of success, based on the testimonies of men on the ground on both sides of the fight, such as General James Longstreet, Major Henry Livermore Abbott, and Brigadier General Richard Garnett, as well as articles on the subject from historians from reputable publications such as Smithsonian and Defense Horizons. The finding of this paper is that, barring a miracle for the charging Confederates, that the charge was a severe miscalculation that …

Accessibility And Conformity: English Prose And Indian Poetry, Saralyn A. Clark

Scholars Week

Raja Rao Kanthapura stirs rhetorical discourse among scholars on effectivity through his infused Kannada/English writing style that both Indian and English readers can engage with and acknowledge the British-colonialist violence set within the novel. This essay criticizes existing scholarship that analyses through European rhetorical analysis such as reader-response lenses; and argues for research on Dhvani, Rasa Sutra and Puranic theories that support Rao’s aesthetic language and his rhetorical purpose. Kanthapura’s language hybridizes English prose with Indian poetics and invites both Indian and Western readers to engage with resistance against colonialization in a narrative that refuses Indian identity erasure. The novel’s …

A Remote Sensing Assessment Of Illegal Gold Mining And Its Impact On Forests In Amansie West District, Ghana, Mina Poku Agyemang

Scholars Week

Forest degradation, driven primarily by human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, and mining, leads to biodiversity loss, soil erosion, and increased greenhouse gas emissions. In Ghana, illegal mining, known as ‘galamsey,’ poses significant threats to land and forest resources, damaging ecosystems and affecting public health (Aboka et al., 2018). Despite mining's contribution to Ghana's GDP, the negative impacts of illegal mining may outweigh its economic benefits. Between 2018 and 2023, Ghana lost approximately 5.9% of its forest cover while mining areas expanded by 1,917.6% (Abugre et al., 2025). This alarming situation necessitates an investigation into the changes in land use …

Uas Vs. In-Situ Measurement Techniques For Stream Substrates, Nathan Watson

Scholars Week

UAS vs. In-situ Measurement Techniques for Stream Substrates

Key words: Geomorphic, Fluvial, ArcGIS Pro, UAS

Traditionally, geomorphic assessments of streams and fluvial structures have been conducted using in-situ field techniques. These techniques include taking Wolman (D50) pebble counts to characterize substrate, measurements of stream dimensions with tape, meter sticks, and Jacob staff. We studied the efficacy of using an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) to measure the substrate composition of a section of stream along the east fork of the Clarks River in Calloway County, Kentucky. The section consists of a 30-meter riffle-pool-run sequence, with variation in substrate size to test …

Exploratory Analysis Of Prerequisites To Teaching Early Perspective Taking In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Zoe Painter

Honors College Theses

The purpose of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention package for improving perspective-taking skills in children with ASD and specifically extend previous research focused on teaching the ability to identify what others are experiencing through their senses. Less complex verbal behaviors hypothesized to be prerequisites to this skill were first assessed systematically in three male children with ASD receiving ABA services in a community-based clinic, and then participants were taught to predict behavior according to the sensory experiences of others (e.g. after observing that a man sees a fly in his drink, responding the …

Touch, Krizianna Groves

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

My artwork consists of large self portrait drawings. They are about my experience with getting raped and sexually assaulted. The drawings being such a large scale is a way that I can force the audience to be confronted with what I want to say. Like Yoko Ono’s Cut Piece, I give the audience tools to do what they want with my drawing. By placing the same materials in their hands, I force the audience into embodying my abuser, whether they want it or not. In reality I’m objectifying myself through my drawings and letting the viewer assault me.

Charcoal is …

Feline Frenzy, Alissa N. Redding

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

Growing up, board games were the backbone of my childhood, it was a dry comfort during rainy days, and a refuge during frigid ice storms with nothing to keep out the chill but a roaring fireplace and warmer company to grip tight to. Feline Frenzy is a love letter to the days when it was just family and friends around a table, laughing and bickering in the way only people closest to us can.

Feline Frenzy is a completely new creative way to play, with a board that is customizable and cat-themed cards and pieces to get you to the …

It's A Sin, Jamie Rogers

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

Sex is political. Counter-cultural responses to sexual propriety are often modeled as resistance to conservative values. Many subcultures have a long tradition of opposing mainstream norms, particularly regarding sexual and political correctness. While the association of pain with sexuality dates back to ancient rituals, such as those for the Goddess Inanna in 3000 B.C., the post-World War II era witnessed an exponential growth of sexual fetishism, particularly in BDSM. This period also saw the emergence of fetish materials like rubber, latex, and military or medical gear, with leather fetishism evolving into a distinct subculture. Leather and latex were employed to …

The Effects Of Plastic Mulch And Irrigation On Hemp Chemistry And Leaf Endophytes, Allison Rietman, Connor Morozumi, Robert C. Pearce, Natalie Christian

Journal of Agricultural Hemp Research

As an emerging crop, cultivation techniques for industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) are still being developed and optimized. For example, irrigation and plastic mulching are some management practices that have been touted for their benefits in improving crop quality. Both techniques ensure ample water availability, which has often been attributed to improving hemp cannabinoid and terpene composition. In this study, we examined how supplemental irrigation implemented in a plastic mulch system influenced the cannabinoid and terpene profiles of one cultivar of CBD hemp, Lifter. We grew industrial hemp in field with plastic mulch and applied regular irrigation to one group …

Earthen Desire, Cheyenne L. Pender

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

Artist Statement

Fruits have long been used as a metaphor for women’s bodies, reducing them to symbols of ripeness, sweetness, or fertility. Fruit is scientifically defined as “the fleshy or dry ripened ovary” of a plant. The fleshy, fruit-like forms I make explore the objectification of women’s bodies and the subjectivity of beauty and attractiveness. I study the shapes of fruit and women’s bodies, combining coil building with carving to create my work. I focus on “zooming in” on the figure to the point of ambiguity, forcing the audience to decipher what I am showing and why. I use clay …

Art 399 Portfolio, Bailey D. Provine

Professional Practices (ART 399)

The United States foundation is built on laborers and the importance of sacrifice. My Dad and my Grandaddy provided for our family by working construction and building custom cars for many years. Their hard work provides a prosperous and fulfilling life, but it takes a toll on their bodies. My work explores the softer side of manual labor. Through watching and working beside them, I have learned the value of hard work. Through depictions of trade work in my paintings, I connect to the shared experience of living in the rural United States and cultivate an appreciation for these labors …

Orca Annual Report 2024-25, Msu Orca

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Quick Facts about ORCA in Academic Year 2024-25

• 12 slots filled for Posters-at-the-Capitol
• 346+ students presented at Scholars Weeks with support from 110+ faculty members
• 28 grants awarded totalling over $23,000
• Dr. Kelly Taylor named University Distinguished Mentor 2025

Sample Storage Method And Collection Time Effects On Horse Hair Cortisol Concentrations, Grace Robertson, Savannah Rivers, Thomas Powell, Shea Porr

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Serum cortisol concentration is the gold standard for evaluating stress in horses. However, it can be affected by circadian rhythms, environmental factors, and other excitatory events. Hair cortisol is less subject to these variables and is less invasive to collect, but there is a lack of published information on hair cortisol concentrations in horses. The objectives of this study were to examine 1) the impact of sample storage (Room temperature vs. Frozen) and 2) the effect of collection date (spring vs. fall), on cortisol concentration in equine hair. It was hypothesized that Frozen samples would yield higher concentrations than Room …

Route 404, Sarina C. Hamilton

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

Through graphic design and printmaking, I create work that unifies and connects people through shared experiences. I have developed a fascination with the universal experience of death and how it connects us all. While each of us experiences it differently, we all share in it-eventually, we all die. This realization has inspired me to express this commonality in my work.

I wanted to challenge myself to create something more than just a brand or product; I aimed to convey a complex and layered idea-something greater than myself. I often reflect on the trivial aspects of my daily life, which leads …

Quiet Times: The Application Of Self-Management To Private Spiritual Practices, Noah R. Branson

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

A “quiet time” refers to the private spiritual practice of reading the Bible, praying, and meditating on one’s own initiative outside of religious sanctioned events. This study examines the effect of a self-management intervention on establishing and maintaining the habit of a daily quiet time. The study’s hypotheses predicted there would be an increase in quiet time 1) frequency, 2) duration, and 3) overall satisfaction from the baseline phase to the intervention phase. Data was collected via a daily check-in and pretest/posttest surveys, and participants attended an in-person intervention to determine how to apply self-management tactics to their own personal …

Understanding Temporal Changes In Leaf Traits Of Native Smilax Rotundifolia And Invasive Lonicera Japonica Using Long-Term Herbarium Records From Kentucky, Claudia Ebbecke, Claudia Ebbecke

Honors College Theses

Herbarium specimens are the most valuable, verifiable, and sustainable records to study the impacts of climate change on natural ecosystems. Temporal herbarium data can provide critical information on how species respond to changes in habitat conditions by tracking changes in species’ morphological and phenological traits. This study aims to use Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and common greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) to assess the impact of climate change on invasive and native plants. Leaf traits, such as leaf size and stomatal density are good indicators of plant’s adaptation to the changing environment. By examining changes in leaf traits …

In Search Of Meaning, Cole W. Wyatt, Cole Warren Wyatt

B.F.A. Practicum Exhibition (ART 498)

All of my work serves; the bowl and box are used to contain and have direct interaction with the hand of the individual, connecting the artist to the user. They are all made by a fallible person but within them is the desire for infallibility. Subtle discrepancies will be found between a brief change of angle in a pot or an unevenness in an otherwise flat surface. We can't attain perfection but that is no reason not to strive for it.

My paintings serve in a different way, expressing life, a scene and a narrative, through vision rather than touch. …

Bridging Cattle Farming And Technology: The Development Of Moomanager, Matthew Hayes

Honors College Theses

Small-scale cattle producers face persistent challenges in adopting digital tools for herd management, often due to barriers such as limited digital literacy, software complexity, and poor alignment with practical workflows. Existing literature highlights the potential benefits of mobile applications in agricultural contexts, yet adoption rates remain low among smaller operations. This thesis investigates how a streamlined, mobile-first application can address these adoption barriers while supporting essential farm management tasks. The study details the design and development of MooManager, a mobile application built with React Native and Supabase and structured around core features such as cattle tracking, beef sales logging, and …

Structure Determination Of Mg2tihn And Mg3tihn (N=1-25) Clusters, Meagan Dobbs

Honors College Theses

Fossil fuels are a resource that is used in everyday life. A major problem with the reliance on fossil fuels lies in their major contributor to global warming. When fossil fuels are burned, they release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and warm the Earth. In order to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted new fuel sources are being considered, and a leading candidate is hydrogen. This project looks at magnesium hydride clusters doped with a titanium atom. Specifically, the Mg₂TiH_n (n =1-25) and Mg₃TiH_n (n =1-25) clusters are considered. The …

Profession Practice Portfolio Spring 2025, Cheyenne L. Pender

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Artist Statement

Fruits have long been used as a metaphor for women, reducing them to symbols of ripeness, sweetness, or fertility. Fruit is scientifically defined as “the fleshy or dry ripened ovary” of a plant. However, with my experience with making ceramic sculptures, I continue to find more and more similarities between the two that I wish for those around me to discover as well. My work is an experimentation on how the female body can be portrayed through fruit and how beauty is subjective.

In developing these artworks, I study fruit shapes and women figures combining coil building with …

Needles&Knots, Maria Castlen

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

Growing up surrounded by tales of the “olden days”, embroidery was a thrilling discovery. It was a beautiful and unique way to create, while also learning a skill my mother praised. As I’ve grown, I’ve discovered ways to combine graphic design with the embroidery through branding. needles&knots prides itself for the beginner-friendly and practical embroidery kits. Whether you’re a seasoned stitcher or just learning your lazy daisies, our kits take care of the supplies so you can focus on what really matters: crafting something with you love.

At the beginning of its creation, I began to create needles&knots’ visual identity, …

Society’S Press: Designing A Digital Commons To Promote Critical Thought And Civil Discourse, Louis Driver

Honors College Theses

This thesis proposes the design of a new digital commons aimed at counteracting the negative incentives that currently dominate online discourse. This paper outlines the research and design of a system that promotes informative, medium-length, user-generated content, emphasizing thoughtful communication over virality. Inspired by academic peer-review practices, the proposed platform will implement a community-driven moderation model to reduce low-quality contributions and foster constructive feedback.

Luke Medley, Luke C. Medley

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Creating artwork with physical durability and enduring conceptual impact in order to leave behind a tangible legacy, or something permanent, in a world that is constantly changing is my goal. In this art form, I make two-dimensional drawings, three-dimensional objects, and functional wearable art. I am truly exploring how I can make art in a way that not only looks good but can be used with an aspect of craftsmanship.

For example, I emphasize value with dark and light areas of a subject to show lots of detail just like artist Chuck Close when creating the charcoal drawing of my …

Does Stress Physiology Mediate Disease Resistance In The Arizona Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma Mavortium Nebulosum)?, Megan Zerger

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Amphibian biodiversity has greatly diminished in recent years due to panzootic pathogenic fungi Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the cause of the deadly disease chytridiomycosis (chytrid). The pathogenesis of chytrid is still unclear, as certain species and individuals within a species are differentially affected. Susceptibility and mortality of Bd are influenced by prolonged corticosterone activity. When produced in excess, this glucocorticoid deleteriously affects many of the same physiological processes as Bd infections. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the relationship of corticosterone variation and Bd spore load in wild Arizona tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium nebulosum). …

"Jakyah Acree's Art399 Portfolio", Jakyah Acree

Professional Practices (ART 399)

When viewing one of my artworks, one will usually see a painting, drawing, or digital work. The painting or drawing will be that of a portrait or a subject matter. The subject at times can learn toward realism, other times I like to create more animated styled characters.

While I’ve always had a passion for creating detailed value-filled portraits in realism, my journey began with the excitement of bringing art to life with illustration.Growing up in a small town of Cadiz KY, there was very little excitement. Not only that, but I was a girl of few words, finding it …

Future - 2025 (2nd Annual Juried Exhibition, Promotion, Sales), Hugo S. Hodge Hsh

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Hello. Hugo Hodge is a creative working artist in Saint Louis, Missouri for graphic design and illustration. The work involved includes the student work of unofficial brands and collateral designs from both material and phantom companies like the Cincinnati Art Museum’s unofficial “Corporate Annual Report”, Grephone’s digital “Logo Package”, and the fictitious Mach Pizza’s “Branding Style Guide” from my Graphic Design classes. The main idea behind the work is to communicate a “vibe” or “strong image” for the subject it’s designing around, in order to tell the viewer Additional student work include engaging user interfaces for mobile applications (UI/UX Class) …

Adamashlock Art399 Portfolio, Adam R. Ashlock Mr.

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Art is a space where humor and absurdity are welcomed with open arms. It's a way to break down barriers and connect with others—especially when traditional social interactions are challenging. Growing up with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) means I've navigated a world that often feels out of sync with how my brain works. Conversations are challenges, and it’s easy to feel disconnected from the people around me. Humor, however, has always been my in. It's a great way to find common ground and create a shared experience that feels natural even when other forms of connection don’t. Whether through animation …

Zach Alexander Art399 Portfolio, Zachariah M. Alexander

Professional Practices (ART 399)

The work I create theatrically explores my identity through reflections on personal experiences. Each piece is layered with multiple meanings, like the pros and cons of childhood or learning about self-reliance. Across mediums, there are aesthetic choices to convey the accuracy felt in moments of low spirits. There's an eccentric and personal aspect in the pieces that intertwine with my life. The common trait in the work often incorporates movement to convey past emotions. Darker tones create disorientation and confusion, setting the scene and foreshadowing deeper meanings. Some pieces reflect the past and address ongoing issues."Echoes of Childhood" reflects my …

Rose Craig Art399 Portfolio, Rose M. Craig

Professional Practices (ART 399)

My work often explores personal narratives related to family and childhood, using line, shape, form, and value in a representational style. Heirloom, a cylindrical nickel box with a symmetrical design of organic and geometric shapes, reminiscent of 1930s pill boxes, featuring a mother-of-pearl. Inside the box is a small brass pillbox hat. I chose to create a design and a hat that calls back to the word pill to not only symbolize heirlooms but also how mental illness can be passed down generationally. The mother of pearl symbolizes my family’s traditions of passing down heirlooms from mother to daughter.

While …