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Ash Mcintyre Art399 Portfolio, Ashlynn Eve Mcintyre

Professional Practices (ART 399)

Artist Statement

Ash Eve McIntyre

I create figural work exploring themes of object-human relationships in the context of childhood trauma and its aftermath. The works are made using a variety of media, including wood, ceramic, paint, and even found objects such as stuffed animals. The same craft techniques that are used to create comfort within domestic settings, I utilize to give care to the figures.

In the work, there is an emphasis on comfort and platonic love in my work. Stuffed animals are used in my sculptures to relate back to both domesticity and physical comfort. While the works represent …

6th Annual Occupational Therapy Program Research Conference, Kelly L. Taylor Otd, Ms, Otr/L, Cbis

Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Occupational Therapy Program RESEARCH CONFERENCE

6TH OT COHORT | CLASS OF 2025

OT Program Student Presentations Graduate Students from the Class of 2025

Glutamate Receptors At The Zebrafish Neuromuscular Junction, Trenton Randall

Honors College Theses

Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, but at the neuromuscular junction, that role is taken by acetylcholine. However, during embryonic development, non-cholinergic receptors, including those for glutamate, are also present at the NMJ, which are not maintained unless used. These receptors can still form functional circuits, as evidenced by a process called neurotransmitter respecification, in which a neuron changes which neurotransmitter it releases, and is accompanied by the upregulation of the corresponding receptor by the muscle. This process has been observed in frogs and in rats. We predict that zebrafish also exhibit this neurotransmitter plasticity. To assess …

The Final Crusade, Sydney Robinson

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

At some time, all people struggle either mentally, physically or emotionally. Most have some form of struggle that we carry around with us. Some show their struggle while others hide it very deep down. I create illustrations to show people that they are not alone in their struggles.

I build illustrations that incorporate heavy outlines, with a tone of cartoonishness and I also incorporate type. I want the illustrations to have heavier strokes to help provide a sense of unrealisticness to very serious concepts. I incorporate text as a way of giving the piece a direct meaning. I want to …

Art399 Portfolio, Sydney Robinson

Professional Practices (ART 399)

At some time, all people struggle either mentally, physically or emotionally. Most have some form of struggle that we carry around with us. Some show their struggle while others hide it very deep down. I create illustrations to show people that they are not alone in their struggles.

I build illustrations that incorporate heavy outlines, with a tone of cartoonishness and I also incorporate type. I want the illustrations to have heavier strokes to help provide a sense of unrealisticness to very serious concepts. I incorporate text as a way of giving the piece a direct meaning. I want to …

Physical Activity And Sport Participation: Relationships With General Life Satisfaction And Social Life Satisfaction, Clay Barker

Honors College Theses

This study investigated the impact of college student physical activity and sport participation on life satisfaction and social life satisfaction. This study used a survey with scales to assess students’ frequency of physical activity, frequency of traditional sport participation, frequency of esport participation, life satisfaction, and social life satisfaction. This study’s hypotheses attempted to assess if each involvement variable will individually and positively correlate to both life satisfaction and social life satisfaction. This study used in-person surveys given to Murray State University college students. The findings of this study could provide information on the importance of physical activity and sport …

Test Anxiety In University Students: Exploring The Roles Of Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, And Progressive Muscle Relaxation, Hannah Gibson

Honors College Theses

Test anxiety is the fear of being negatively evaluated, which can lead to negative behavioral, physiological, or emotional responses and impact academic performance. The effectiveness of interventions varies widely; however, progressive muscle relaxation may be able to reduce anxiety. The current study randomly assigned students to watch a progressive muscle relaxation video or an educational video before an exam in an introductory psychology course. Self-report and physiological anxiety were measured pre-and post-intervention, and traits of test anxiety, neuroticism, and conscientiousness were also measured (pre-intervention only). Conscientiousness and neuroticism did not predict trait anxiety (p = .052). Pre-intervention self-report anxiety …

Cultural Memory And The Search For Identity In Victorian Fantasy Fiction, Sadie Boggs

Honors College Theses

Fantasy literature's origins can be traced through myths and folktales, medieval romances, enlightenment fairy tale fantasy, and Romanticism, before finally taking firmer root in the Victorian period and blooming into its own genre in 20th century modern fantasy. Victorian thinkers reacted to the Enlightenment’s realism and technological innovation by “rediscovering” the Middle Ages as a time of beauty, simplicity, and moral virtue. Simultaneously, Psychology developed as a recognized field of study, and theories emerged about the psychological process of memory formation and retrieval, as well as its reliability and relation to identity.

Considering these psychological theories, Victorian fantasy's cultural memory …

Art399 Portfolio, Emily Ray

Professional Practices (ART 399)

I mainly work with paint, using it to captivate texture and feeling on a much deeper level than just its color and flow. Paint is the perfect form of expression I find easiest to express. Themes such as emotion, vulnerability, and personal reflection are topics I like to touch on using human anatomy or skeletal systems.

When it comes to general imagery, the use of dark/light and body language, my work is inspired by Caravaggio and his use of intense lighting to showcase darker feelings that include a narrative. In connection to Caravaggio, Van Goh as a person also inspires …

A Call To Study The Bidirectional Relationship Between Healthcare Accessibility Issues And Medical Gaslighting For Marginalized Groups With Chronic Pain, Nikki Harnage

Honors College Theses

Chronic pain is an epidemic in its own right. Affecting 21% of American adults and costing $300 billion each year, chronic pain rivals cancer, diabetes, and hypertension combined. From psychological impacts on patients to worsening health outcomes further burdening the healthcare system and billions of lost productivity stressing the economy, chronic pain can affect all Americans. However, chronic pain disproportionately afflicts marginalized groups including non-whites, women, and disadvantaged socioeconomic classes. For decades, research has demonstrated disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and management of chronic pain are associated with accessibility issues in healthcare, a link that is likely the result of systemic …

2024-11-20, Board Of Regents, Murray State University

Board of Regents Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Change In Agricultural And Barren Land Cover Dynamic Of Calloway County For Two Decades (2001-2021)., Rokeya Akter Liza, Dr.Haluk Cetin

Scholars Week

• This study examined land cover changes in Calloway County, Kentucky, between 2001 and 2021. The county, located in the geologically stable region of eastern North America, has experienced significant shifts in land use over the past two decades.
• Key findings include:

* Increase in Cultivated Crops: A positive change of 1.59% was observed in cultivated crop land. This suggests an expansion of agricultural activities.

* Decrease in Hay-Pasture Land: A negative change of 7.96% was noted in hay-pasture land. This decline may be attributed to factors such as urbanization or changes in agricultural practices.

* Significant Decrease in Barren Land: …

The Last Crusade, Macy Kendall

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

Since I was little, I was always drawing and it has always fascinated me. Drawing was something that allowed me to let my overactive imagination roam as a child and it also allowed me to bond with people. I remember being in Elementary School and I would have inside jokes with friends about some art project we came up with together. Growing up, in high school I was still the ‘quiet kid’ that people like my current partner thought didn’t even speak, until they saw me in the art room. Truth was, the art room was a release for me …

Thank The Heavens! By Ciro Astarita, Ciro Astarita

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

‘Thank The Heaven’s Issue 1: Plate of Bones’ is an issue of a comic I have created inspired by the older style of weekly publications such as that of Casper The Friendly Ghost or Archie that people would buy at newsstands. This comic is set in Europe in a vaguely distant time period and inspired by my background as an Italian American. My work aims to combine the best of both worlds of physical and digital art by blending traditional art methods, primarily illustration in the form of comics, with the ease and convenience that technology and digital tools allow …

The Last Crusade, Michael Ridenour

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

Michael Ridenour

My work comes from imaginative inspiration as well as a personal nostalgia. This visual influence on my work comes primarily from Japanese animation as well as my memories of the visual culture of my youth—I filter these touchpoints through current trends to inspire new work. The vast majority of my art involves drawing with graphite and/or charcoal. My art making reflects critical thinking about my experiences by trying to portray a breadth of emotion in the confined two-dimensional space of a drawing. I am interested in continuing to explore the ideas of childhood nostalgia in my future work. …

Human Nature, Karl Smith

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

Building a brand means looking beyond a product or organization and finding an aspirational vision that creates value for the consumer. Through my design work, I want to transform products and other subject matter and transform them into unique, powerful experiences. By using intentional design choices, I can create effective visual communication. My design centers on strong hierarchy, bold color, and clear typography that creates attractive, memorable, and distinct visual identities.

Human Nature represents the positive impact a brand can have on the world by authentically connecting with consumers to provide real benefits. Skincare is the pursuit of beauty and …

Sebastian, Sebastian Byars

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

The name "Sebastian" reflects my journey and process throughout my show. Growing up in small-town Paris, TN, my passion for fashion felt out of place. During college, I faced mental health struggles, and thrifting became my escape, sparking a love for clothing history. I now enjoy sewing and reworking both modern and vintage pieces, focusing on creativity and discovery over intention. Often, I ask myself, “What can I create from what I already have or want to discover?”

My work combines model and product photography, sculptural garment displays, and branding rooted in my work. Blending workwear with editorial aesthetics, I …

What Lives And What Lingers, Kaylee Vanlue

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

Like a flash in the night, reality blurs, and colors take shape. Manifestations spark within the form of a dream, allowing us to momentarily connect with those who are and were. This body of work draws inspiration from generational narratives that echo through time, particularly mid-century themes intertwined with Vietnamese and American heritage.

At the heart of this exhibition lies a personal dream that has evolved alongside my journey from childhood to adulthood. Each piece serves as a visual exploration of perspective and identity, rooted in the mid-century miniatures of a dollhouse living room from my youth and cultural themes …

The Last Crusade, Catrena Kovaloski

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

Through photographs, I utilize minimal and direct composition to address objectification of the female form and domestic violence. The photographs I take focus forwardly on the subject matter and are meant to have the viewer interpret the scene without any unwanted distractions. By incorporating myself as the model, I allow my experience to be shown through my eyes rather than as an outsider. The photos with their black and white tonality correlate with color theory as they strip away the emotion from the scene and allow the viewer to interpret the work. My photographs address abuse on the psyche portrayed …

The Table, Abigayle Cothran

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

After my mother passed away last year, I found myself drawn to old family photos. I became fascinated by how things had changed over time. With everything in my own life changing so much, I began searching for something that had stayed the same, something that could connect me to her. As I looked through the photos, I saw changes everywhere—people, homes, cities—but then I began to notice a dining room table. It appeared in many of the pictures, always in a different room, but often with one or both of my parents sitting at it, and new family members …

Growth In Light, Eve Sexton

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

Nature has always been a source of inspiration; something about an environment which tends to be overlooked. Surrounded by or gazing upon landscapes is a reminder to engage with the present moment and the individuals I share those moments with as well. That practice of observation, of regarding any moment in life as something worth being inspired by, fuels my work. Reflecting about natural cycles can give one a more outward-thinking approach to life and connection. An organic ecosystem is a cycle of dying and rebirthing when the time is right. This applies itself into the lives of people as …

Tails Of Adventure, Samantha Lam

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

In the whimsical world of Tails of Adventure, an unlikely trio — a kind-hearted fox, goofy alligator, and angry rat — invites you to embark on an exciting journey with them. Starting the adventure from Meadow Mound, it's an interactive story where many things go awry. Tails of Adventure is a playful, lighthearted brand that invites you to escape into a world where every day is a new adventure.

Through my artwork, I aim to offer a distraction from life's burdens through branding and illustration, focusing on the importance of making people smile. Branding allows me to craft a memorable …

It's An Honor To Be In Your Presence, Wesley Hammer

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

Art is a language— a form of communication. It is a way of explaining yourself, exploring how you view the world, what you find important, and how you feel about these experiences. For as long as I can remember, art has been an outlet for me to express my own lived experiences. Art allows me to visually process the thoughts and emotions that we experience through everyday living. Creating art is baring the soul, and with art being a visual medium, it allows for an understanding that goes beyond words. We as human beings exist in a complexity. We are …

Characterizing Unconserved Shallow Wetlands In Lamoure County, North Dakota, Nathan Watson

Scholars Week

Prior to modern agriculture, the plains of North and South Dakota were once a mixed grass prairie with millions of small ponds and wetlands. These wetlands provide summer breeding habitat for countless numbers of migrating bird species. Through the work of conservation organizations and Federal agencies, many of these wetlands have been restored across the Dakotas, Prairie Minnesota, and Iowa. This project focused on locating a county in an area of critical breeding habitat that has had, thus far, limited restoration of these small wetlands and determing their extent and quality using a Geographic Information System (GIS).

The study area …

The Last Crusade, Jonathan Wong

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

I’m driven by a desire to explore human emotions and how we are influenced by social media. While a useful communication tool, it is also a part of the reason for poor mental health. I am myself an emotional person. Making video and photography helps me to soothe my own anxiety, while working with people who express their own conflict with their current life. Photography and film serve as a vessel for the variations of personal mental health struggles, friendships, and offering a timeless reflection of emotional states. I want my art to be therapy and remembrance that grounds you …

Assessing Soil Properties In Cultivated Areas Of Silt Loam In Western Kentucky, Disha Ande

Scholars Week

No-till (NT) farming is widely implemented to enhance soil conservation by reducing disturbance and improving soil health, particularly regarding key indicators such as soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), macroporosity (MPor), soil water holding capacity (SWHC), soil water at field capacity (SWFC), and soil organic carbon (SOC). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different land management systems- NT Corn (NTC), NT Soybean (NTS), Campus Vegetable Garden (CVG), Community Garden (CG), Woodland Area (WA), and Rain Garden (RG), on these soil quality parameters. This study was conducted at Murray State University’s Pullen Farm …

The Significance Of Tillage Systems In Kentucky And Illinois On Soil Properties, Madison Westerfield, Ethan White

Scholars Week

Tillage practices have various effects on soil health and soil properties. For example, no-till practices disturb the soil less, preserving soil health. Conventional tillage practices disturb the soil and various properties depending on depth and equipment used. The objective of this research was to compare conventional tillage systems in Illinois against the no-till practices in Kentucky on soil properties changes. The study was conducted in three no-till fields in Ohio County, KY and three conventional tillage fields in Williamson County, IL. Twenty-four samples were pulled, twelve samples from three fields under conventional tillage and twelve samples from three fields under …

Soil Changes In Response To Farming Practices In Calloway County, Kentucky, Lane Deckard, Clara Taylor

Scholars Week

Various farm management techniques can alter physical properties of soil characteristics. In this study, changes in soil quality indicators were examined from contrasting management practices at the Murray State University farms in Calloway County, Kentucky. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of farming practices such as conventional/no-tilling, monocropping, overgrazing, gardening, and an undisturbed field on soil characteristics. Soil characteristics within this research included bulk density (BD), porosity, soil water field capacity (SWFC), soil water holding capacity (SWHC), macroporosity, soil organic matter (SOM), and soil organic carbon (SOC). At each of the six fields, samples were taken …

Management Of Post-Operative Pain In Those With A Drug History, Emelyn Stockton, Maddie Griggs

Scholars Week

Addressing postoperative pain management in patients with a history of opioid abuse is essential for enhancing patient safety and quality care. Implementing evidence-based practices and standardized protocols can reduce the risk of relapse and improve the outcomes for this population. By focusing on staff education and training, healthcare providers can gain the necessary skills to effectively manage pain while minimizing the reliance on opioids. Ultimately, a comprehensive approach that includes alternative therapies and consistent monitoring will foster better recovery experiences for patients.

Benefits To Swaddle Bathing, Brenna Dotson, Kori Redden, Cassidy Payne

Scholars Week

Swaddle bathing is a technique that entails bathing an infant while they are comforted in a swaddle. This technique is rarely seen in everyday hospital practice, even though there is ample evidence of its benefits and advantages. Our project aimed to combine research proving the effectiveness of swaddle bathing through scoring methods that consider pain, vital signs, temperature, crying duration, and more. The research is combined to support the impact that swaddle bathing can have on not only infants but parents as well. Parents implementing the swaddle bath enjoy improved confidence and attachment, along with decreased stress. The evidence was …