Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating The Rural/Urban Divide In Conservation: Methods Of Improvement In Conservation Programming Across Kentucky, Lauren Tackett

Honors College Theses

Kentucky’s lands and waterways have always defined the state. Our unique karst landscape, combined with the Appalachian Mountains and Ohio River, help characterize the state and its identity. However, across Kentucky conservation efforts within recent years have been under attack. Through legislation changes and policy challenges, various bills have sought to repeal Kentucky’s conservation efforts regarding water, soil, and land use. Furthermore, there has been a rise in environmental disasters within the state that cause long term issues for both rural and urban communities to contend with. The responsibility of land stewardship falls on a variety of entities but weighs …

Perfectionism And Cognitive Flexibility: Comparing The Impacts Of Perfectionism Vs Excellencism On Cognitive Flexibility, Lillian R. Blackburn

Honors College Theses

Perfectionism is often defined as “high standards of performance which are accompanied by tendencies for overly critical evaluations of one’s own behavior” (Frost et al., 1990, p. 450). Although striving for high standards is characteristic of perfectionism, it is also a central concept of the construct of excellencism, that is striving for standards that are both high and attainable. Research has made a distinction between the pursuit of perfection and pursuit of excellence, suggesting perfectionists strive for high unattainable standards, whereas excellencists strive for high yet reasonable standards with more areas of flexibility (Gaudreau et al., 2022).  These differences have …

The Effects Of Impervious Land Cover And Red Tide (Karenia Brevis) On The Florida Manatee (Trichechus Manatus Latirostris) In The Gulf Coast Of Florida, Anna Compton

Honors College Theses

Red tide, caused by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, is an algal bloom event that occurs annually in the West Florida Continental Shelf. The algae releases brevetoxin, a toxin that can be fatal to wildlife in high concentrations. These algal bloom events are thought to be exacerbated by warming ocean temperatures and increased nutrient runoff from urbanization. Red tide is responsible for the mass mortality of various marine organisms like the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris). This study analyzes the changes in nutrient runoff and sea surface temperatures, and how these factors affected red tide cell concentrations and Florida manatee mortalities …

Minimizing Musculoskeletal Injury Risk In Health Care Professionals With Education On Physical Activity Recommendations, Emma H. Foran

Honors College Theses

Working in healthcare settings that require patient handling is physically demanding - over 80% of providers involved in patient handling report work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Injuries or exacerbation of a previous injury may occur if the individual cannot tolerate heavy workloads. Injuries that cause lost work time or work restrictions impact the healthcare team, may alter quality of life, and impact employee income. A practical way to minimize these effects is to prevent WMSDs. Training providers to use proper body mechanics, practice patient handling, and engage in regular exercise designed to increase muscular strength and endurance through resistance training improves …

Community Vitality: Establishing Blue Zone Based Education For Elementary Students, Eliza G. Heinrich

Honors College Theses

Blue Zones are areas of the world where people live longer and healthier lives. These areas share several key characteristics called the Power 9 (Buettner & Skemp, 2016). The goal of this study was to increase general knowledge of Blue Zones as well as the implementation of healthy habits to increase the longevity of the population of Calloway County, Kentucky through educational sessions of elementary students. Researchers involved in this study asked participants to fill out a pre-test to gauge knowledge of Blue Zones. Participants then underwent several educational sessions and activities surrounding the Power 9. Participants were then asked …

Occupational Stressors And Health Impacts Among First Responders, Mason N. Roach

Honors College Theses

The United States 911 emergency response system is an interconnected web of public services that seeks to provide its community with care, resources, and safety in times of need. However, the impact of this support on the employees providing the service often goes unnoticed. This review identifies and analyzes the unique strains on first responders' physical and mental health using the Job Demand-Control Model and the Allostatic Load Model. A review of available research literature supports the conclusion that occupational-related stress, including trauma exposure, shift work, poor leadership, and inadequate communication, can have long-lasting negative impacts on provider health.

Diverse Directions, Grace L. Rittenhouse

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

This body of work explores an evolving fantasy world of my creation through painted illustrations. It emphasizes the beauty of humans and nature using small details like intricate patterns and subtle expressions with soft, blended art in a wide range of vibrant colors. This exploration is mainly through portraiture and original characters.

By using oils, I focus on creating unique characters; drawing inspiration from mythology, folklore, and cultures from across the globe. The two works Newborn Star and Moon Prince take inspiration from traditional Chinese fashion, the symbolism of marigold flowers within Mexican culture, and the traditional uses of opium …

Diverse Directions, Sadie Smith

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

My work explores the complex interactions between individuals  and the way we interact with family and romantic partners within the household. My sculptures display these interactions while each exemplifying the unique emotions associated with the situation, juxtaposing amorphous, body-like ceramic forms with the nostalgia of antique wallpapers, carpets, and furniture. Each piece reflects my overall theme of this interpersonal interaction by creating different subnarratives in relation to it. One example of my work is “The Ambivalent.”. Its stiff, body-like appearance encases a smaller fabric object laying peacefully inside. This mother and child impression between the figures relates back to my …

Investigating Machine Learning As An Anomaly Detection Tool In College Basketball, Eli G. Whitaker

Honors College Theses

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are more commonly becoming tools that organizations use to prevent, detect, and deter fraud. Like other organizations, the amount of fraud that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) faces is growing at an alarming rate. The primary issue involves athletes that undermine the integrity of their sport by purposefully playing below their true potential as participants in broader betting-related schemes. This thesis focused on Division 1 Men’s Basketball evaluates the viability of using supervised ML to detect anomalies in team performance over games in recent seasons. Anomalies, like red flags in the context …

Perceptions Of Rural Large Animal Owners On Cost And Distance As Barriers To Veterinary Medicine, Alyssa Dalleske

Honors College Theses

Access to veterinary care remains a significant issue in rural communities due to financial, geographic, and access barriers. Limited access to veterinary care can have an impact on animal welfare and an economic impact for producers. This study aimed to assess factors influencing access to veterinary services, including cost, distance to clinics, perceived value of care, and availability of mobile veterinary professionals. The survey was distributed to rural large animal owners using social media, and gained 20 participants. It collected data on perceived barriers within their communities. The survey results indicated that cost of care and distance to veterinary clinics …

Success Or Setback: A Literature Review Of The Association Between Youth Athlete Sport Specialization And Injury Incidence From Adolescence To Adulthood., Kelis Adams

Honors College Theses

For a multitude of reasons, in the United States, present day society is a persistent witness and contributor to the adultification and professionalization of children alongside the activities they engage in. Single-sport specialization in youth sports is one of our most clear and poignant instances of the existence of this subcurrent. But, in recent years, following the uptick in single-sport specialization among youth athletes there has also been a marked increase in sports medicine professionals cautioning athletes and their families of premature commitment to a sole sport due to concerns of physical health risks. As sport typically involves forceful and …

From The Ground To The Stars: How Research And Development In Aerospace Plays A Massive Role, Bryan Sohan

Honors College Theses

Aerospace technology is a long-standing field of innovation, yet it has experienced renewed momentum in recent years due to increased public and private investment. This study analyzes how changes in budget allocations to aerospace-related firms and government organizations influence the pace and scope of technological development within the aerospace sector. By examining historical trends in aerospace innovation alongside recent funding initiatives and policy decisions, this research evaluates the relationship between financial investment and technological advancement. This analysis focuses on Hypothesis 1 (H1): that higher aerospace R&D expenditure is positively correlated with innovation output. Using a two-period state-level panel (FY2021 and …

Design For Future Discourse: Creating The Speculative Design-Inspired Exhibition Modulation: Rewiring The Self, Ryan Bridgforth

Honors College Theses

Humans have long combined speculation and design. Early examples like General Motors’ Futurama at the 1939 World’s Fair introduced Americans to the idea of expressways and invited them to imagine possible futures. While intriguing, this mix of design and future thinking stood to benefit corporations overall, which is where speculative design comes in. Pioneered by design duo Dunne & Raby, speculative design uses design not as a way to engineer solutions to difficult problems, but “as means to explore the cultural and technological potentials of design, effectively blurring material and conceptual boundaries” (Mitrović et al. 2021, 175). Designing objects or …

Expanding The Pantheon Of “Place-Myth”: Media-Induced Travel In College Students Who Study Abroad, Isabella M. Shevetz

Honors College Theses

Media-induced tourism refers to any travel that is in some part motivated by the consumption of mass media related to that location. Media-induced tourism and mass-tourism have led to nation branding and destination marketing across the globe, two industry phenomena that have worked to skyrocket tourism in places where it was not previously a large driver of the local economy. The expansion of mass media availability and the birth of social media mean the media roles of producer and audience member have blurred. Ordinary people now have the influential power of large media corporations. In destination marketing, the user-generated content …

Supporting Those Who Serve: The Impact Of Peer Support On Law Enforcement Suicide, Emily N. Warren

Honors College Theses

Individuals working in law enforcement face daily stressors that far exceed those experienced by the general population. This elevated exposure to stress has been associated with increased rates of mental health disorders and suicide among law enforcement officers. In response, peer support programs have gained recent attention, with new state and federal legislation promoting peer support as a strategy to address the mental health crisis within law enforcement. This paper examines the impact of statewide peer support programs on law enforcement suicide rates through statistical analysis. A difference-in-differences analysis is used to compare state-level law enforcement suicide rates before and …

Art 399 Portfolio, Julia L. Burke Ms.

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Julia Burke was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She is a 21 year old artist who is a senior at Murray State University working on her B.A. in Studio Art emphasizing in painting and minoring in Museum Studies. In 2022, she participated in Governers School for the Arts for the visual arts category inspiring her to become a professional artist. Julia is an active member in the Hopkinsville Art Guild and an assistant to Griffen Studio’s Art Camp in the summers. Her work has been shown within the Pennyroyal Arts Council and in SRISA gallery in Florence, Italy where she studied …

Operation Surge/Wish You Were Here, Matthew W. Lopez Mr.

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

Artist Statement Matthew Lopez

This collection of videos and posters was created with active duty members and veterans primarily in mind. The gallery installation invites viewers to sit, interact, and exist in the space. The setup encourages lingering, allowing laughter, silence, and reflection to coexist within the environment.

The first video parodies the earnest style of 1940s military training films. In it, I invented a fictional VA program called Operation S.U.R.G.E., using deadpan humor to highlight how absurd and disorienting college (and civilian life in general) can feel after leaving the military. The transition is ridiculous, and I wanted that …

Nira, Bryce R. Drake

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

Imagination is a powerful tool that allows us to turn our mundane reality into something new and exciting. My graphic novel, Nira, tells the story of two young girls who use the power of their imaginations to turn their everyday lives into extraordinary adventures. With their minds alone, they create exciting scenes in which they befriend bugs, explore mazes, and rescue a cat from the depths of the school basement. Using rounded shapes, bright colors, playful proportions, and dynamic compositions, I create a world in which viewers can be creative. Nira considers that imagination is available to everyone, no matter …

Public Perception Of Equine Rabies And Its Implications For Future Education And Preventative Strategies, Kya Walton

Honors College Theses

This study examined the rabies knowledge, vaccination, and risks of exposures of horse owners/overseers across the state of Kentucky. Research was conducted to determine the need for public health educators and veterinarians to inform the public on rabies. Survey results concluded that respondents' general knowledge of rabies transmission and mortality rate was respectable, but knowledge relating to equine vaccination was comparatively lower. A weak inverse relationship was observed between general rabies knowledge and concern over an individual’s horses contracting rabies. A weak positive correlation was determined when looking into general rabies knowledge and the likelihood of vaccinating an individual’s horses. …

Modulation: Rewiring The Self, Ryan Bridgforth

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

Inspired by the design philosophies of Dunne & Raby, Bruce Tharp, and SpeculativeEdu, my work bridges research, future thinking, and creativity through a process known as speculative design. Partially inspired by my own experience with chronic illness, as well as interest in human technology interaction through writers like Charlie Brooker, my recent work focuses on telling the story of neuromodulation. This technology uses stimulation to alter nerve activity, typically to fight drug-resistent pain and chronic conditions. Product design, advertisements, and other future objects are used to envision a world where this technology is as prevalent as smart phones.

Though the …

The Pam-1 Aminopeptidase Does Not Protect Against Ptl-1 Mediated Neurodegeneration In C. Elegans., Ethan E. Schuff

Honors College Theses

Debilitating neurodegenerative conditions are increasingly prevalent in our aging population, yet treatment options remain limited. Though neurodegenerative diseases vary in pathophysiology and clinical manifestations, these diseases are related to one another in that many involve misfolded proteins. Tau is a member of the microtubule-stabilizing MAPT/MAP2/MAP4 family, and misfolded tau proteins form the neurotoxic aggregates called neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Designing a study to elucidate the neurotoxic role of tau is difficult because other MAPs may have compensatory mechanisms which confound study data. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) …

Cheating On Cognitive Dissonance Theory: An Investigation Of Moral Disengagement, Javier Mora, Jana Michelle Hackathorn

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger, 1957) theorizes that when individuals experience discrepancies between attitudes, actions or beliefs, the resulting psychological discomfort leads individuals to use one of many “dissonance reduction strategies” such as justification, attitude change, etc. to feel better (Mcgrath, 2017).

Moral disengagement theory refers to tendency of people to lessen the implications of their perceived immoral actions, through various behaviors such as blaming others, diffusing responsibility, etc. (Bandura et al, 1996).

However, no known research has examined whether moral disengagement is merely a dissonance reduction process.

The Power Of A Woman’S Charm: Analyzing The Presence Of Onahal In Oroonoko, Kristyn Haney

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko is a story that places great emphasis on the importance of the power of beauty, but it isn’t perhaps the strongest force at work in the novel. Onahal is a minor character in the story who contrasts the idea that beauty is the only way to obtain power. As a former wife of the King, it is noted that while she once possessed beauty, she is now older and has therefore lost her beauty to the passage of time. Though her beauty is diminished, she still has her charm, which grants her power within her space. In …

Yun Dongju And The Effects Of Colonization On Literature, Grace C. Shields

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Tucked away in a small room, in a country he used to recognize, poet Yun Dongju (1917-1945) drafted nineteen poems that would become the foundation of his legacy: Sky, Wind, Stars, and Poetry. Growing up during the Japanese annexation of Korea, Yun drafted his poetry during a time where Korean language and cultural practices were banned by Imperial Japan. In my essay, I will use Yun’s poetry as a viewpoint for dissecting the negative effects of literary censorship brought about by colonization. Additionally, I will discuss the significance of how Yun – one of Korea’s most famous poets – …

When The States Lost Their Senate: The Seventeenth Amendment, Katelyn King

Honors College Theses

To what extent has the Seventeenth Amendment impacted American federalism? The Seventeenth Amendment changed the way United States Senators are chosen from state legislature appointment to popular direct election. However, the framers of the U.S. Constitution established the original method for selecting U.S. Senators to safeguard an important principle in America’s government: federalism. If the Seventeenth Amendment decreased direct state influence in the federal government, it could have weakened federalism in America; consequently, the amendment may have altered how the American system of government is supposed to function. The U.S. Senate’s selection process was not only a safeguard for federalism …

Exploring Alternate Methods Of Flood Output Estimation During Natural Disasters, Finley Gardner

Honors College Theses

In April of 2025, extreme flooding damaged many homes and buildings of people across Kentucky. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) produces maps that show the potential for flooding in areas around water bodies, but many of the April flooding damaged areas were well outside of the FEMA classification zones. The main purpose of this thesis research was to create an accurate model of potential flood extent in Kentucky and compare it to FEMA maps. This model did not require extensive computing power and produced a map that accurately depicted flood extent through the use of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) …

Diverse Directions - B.S. Senior Exhibition, Ellen C. Downing

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

Rooted in Faith, my work explores child development by examining how children interpret Biblical truth and the various narratives found in Scripture. I am fascinated by how children learn and interpret life, but more importantly, how children interpret faith. I grew up in a family where Christ is the center of our lives.

Using simplified forms, vibrant colors, and smooth textures, I create fun, illustrative paintings. The works of Joel Schoon-Tanis inspire me to incorporate aesthetic choices that reference childhood and make the work more accessible. Drawing from Biblical stories, my pieces incorporate themes of growth, compassion, and faith, using …

Diverse Directions - B.S. Senior Exhibition, Luca C. Schaefer-Knight

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

My art focuses on human connection, narratives, and emotions. I explore how people relate to themselves, to nature, and to each other, especially as they relate to shared experiences and mental health. My comic and zines detail the lives of teen characters and how they cope with trauma or mental illnesses. This is centered in how people seek to escape reality through reflection because of their fascination with stories and imagined characters that embody their struggles. The artist Lucy Kagan inspires my work for zines as well as characters, as she also uses zines to share about her characters and …

Amour Fati, Isabel Bolanos

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

conversations often leave me feeling stuck and misunderstood, as I grapple with a heaviness I can’t articulate. As a child, life felt vibrant, but now I find myself haunted by fragmented memories and a complex emotional landscape. This struggle drives my passion for creating art, particularly photography combined with mixed media elements. Through my work, I attempt to express the intense emotions I often can’t verbalize, using various techniques and materials to evoke feelings. Being Bipolar makes it challenging to articulate feelings of sadness or anger. By using different filters I can convey sensitivity, evoke memories, and convey time. I …

Developing A Staff-Led Vertical Flow Model Policy In A Rural Emergency Department, Grace Frankland, Jennifer Rogers Dr.

Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal

Clinical Problem

Problem: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding

• ED visits have increased by 47.3% in the last 20

years, while the number of EDs/available beds has

remained relatively unchanged

• Contributing to…

• longer wait times & length of stay (LOS)

• higher rate of patients leaving without being

seen (LWBS) & door-to-provider (DTP) times

• increased mortality

• decreased patient satisfaction

• staff burnout

• preventable errors & decline in quality of

care.

Solution: Vertical Flow Model (VFM)

• An adaptable strategy to address ED

overcrowding by improving patient flow without

increasing physical space/bed capacity.

• Shown to reduce …