Digital Commons Network^™

Philanthropy And Service Unite Ole Miss Greek Community, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Sorority and fraternity life at the University of Mississippi has garnered national attention in recent years. Social posts and documentaries show the recruitment process, strolling, cheers and tears, but often do not highlight the organizations' greatest accomplishments: service and philanthropic activities.

Brett Young Inspires New Ole Miss Alumni To Chase Every Dream, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – The Grove was blanketed by a sea of navy gowns and mortar boards during the University of Mississippi's 173rd Commencement exercises on Saturday (May 9).

Investigating The Effects Of Cannabichromene On Different Modalities Of Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain, Anna F. Weimer

Honors Theses

Chemotherapy is the predominant treatment for a variety of cancers, but throughout its history of use, many side effects have been reported. One of the most common side effects is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This side effect subjects an estimated 60% of patients to pain for months to years following chemotherapy. This symptomology is due tothe upregulation of ion channels such as TRPV1, which leads to the release of TNF-α, causing inflammation. These changes manifest in the intraepidermal nerve fibers (IENF), in which chemotherapy damages nociceptors, leading to an overall reduction in density. Current therapeutics, historically limited to opioids or …

A Compilation Of Accounting Studies And Analyses, Ashley Mason

Honors Theses

Over the course of two semesters in ACCY 420, under the instruction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson, my team and I were given a company and tasked with creating an operational plan and audit plan to account for the solution we developed. These case studies required us to research the topic and to also reflect on what we have learned in previous accounting classes. In each of these cases, my team and I researched the topics, proposed a solution, developed a presentation, and then argued our solution to a panel of accounting and business professionals. These experiences strengthened my public speaking …

Analyzing Comtemporary Accounting Issues: Case Studies In Audit, Tax, And Financial Regulation, Diya S. Patel

Honors Theses

This thesis is comprised of five case studies that explore a range of contemporary issues in accounting, with a focus on auditing, financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and evolving role of accountants in a complex business environment. Dr. Victoria Dickinson assigned and advised the case studies throughout the Honors Accountancy 420 course. The case studies examine the analysis and interpretation of financial statements, emphasizing the identification of risk, the use of professional judgment, and the implementation of internal controls to ensure accuracy and transparency. Additionally, the case studies evaluate the growing impact of regulatory frameworks on businesses, highlighting both the intended …

Funding & Resource Adequacy In Mississippi Head Start Programs: Perspectives From The Field, Anna Carlisle Nichols

Honors Theses

Head Start plays a vital role in supporting children from low-income families by providing comprehensive early education, health, nutrition, and family support services. Decades of research demonstrate that participation in Head Start improves cognitive development, social-emotional skills, and long-term educational outcomes. However, a growing body of research suggests that Head Start funding may be insufficient to fully meet the needs of eligible children, raising concerns about program capacity, staffing, and service quality, particularly in high-poverty states that provide no direct state supplemental funding, like Mississippi. This study examines the extent to which Mississippi’s Head Start programs have the resources necessary …

Case Studies In The Accounting World, Brady J. Halloran

Honors Theses

This paper represents an accumulation of cases during a year of course work through the Professional Research and Development Thesis Program at the University of Mississippi under the supervision of Dr. Victoria Dickinson. The program includes a class that spans two semesters. The purpose of the class is to administer cases to the students that will allow them to research and discuss real-world examples and experiences within the accounting industry. The eight case studies that are included in this paper cover a wide range of political, legal and financial topics that businesses have recently dealt with. Through performance of these …

The Effects Of Acute Exercise And Observation On Procedural Learning: Considerations Of Biological Sex, Madeline R. Gossett

Honors Theses

As memories are formed or learning progresses, neurons within the brain establish a strong connection in what is referred to as a “neural engram.” This neural engram can be strengthened or weakened by certain physiological factors. Dopamine, for example, is released during physical exercise or when positive reinforcement is incorporated (Greenwood, 2019). This is a neurotransmitter that leads to a stronger connection between neurons, which in turn leads to a stronger memory formed in the brain. These physiological relationships that contribute to cognition are still being discovered, so research in this area is ongoing (Guskjolen and Cembrowski, 2023).

Memory is …

Designing A Wearable Gait Feedback System For Parkinson’S Disease Patients, Heath M. Stevens, Capri H. Lobotzke, Spencer J. George

Honors Theses

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that commonly causes a shortened stride length, reducing mobility and increasing fall risk. While current treatments, such as oral medication, can reduce symptoms, they do not provide real-time feedback to correct gait and often result in “off” periods when symptoms return. Physical therapists report that simple reminders to lengthen stride can help patients recover from “off” periods and maintain normal walking patterns, but there is no current at-home way to simulate this effective therapy. Recognizing this gap in at-home support, our biomedical engineering senior design team at the University of Mississippi sought to …

Accounting In Action: The Examination Of Audit, Tax Policy, Economic Ideology, And Corporate Strategy, Luke S. Angle

Honors Theses

This thesis presents a comprehensive examination of financial reporting, auditing, tax policy, and corporate strategy through a structured series of case studies conducted over an academic year. The primary objective of this investigation is to develop an applied understanding of how accounting concepts function in real-world business environments and how financial information informs decision-making by investors, regulators, and corporate management. Each case study explores a distinct area of financial reporting, including the analysis of public company disclosures, the evaluation of regulatory developments, the consideration of economic ideology, and the assessment of strategic business decisions.

The methodology employed in this study …

Art In An Apocalypse: Aids, Activism, And Abolition In Work Of Essex Hemphill And Alternative Video Production, Sydney E. Guntharp

Honors Theses

This thesis is an exploration of Black, POC, feminist, and queer art in the late twentieth century, examining both the AIDS crisis and the increasing privatization of the prison industrial complex as key factors in the development of Essex Hemphill’s poetic, expressive works and the filmmaking activism of various videotape collectives. Through employing the lens of critical prison studies, this work seeks to understand how Black and POC art emerged as a site of political resistance to a carceral state as well as the broader social punishment doctrine that influenced the public health response to AIDS in the United States. …

Accounting In Practice: An Analysis Of Real-World Business And Regulatory Case Studies, Claire E. Coursey

Honors Theses

This thesis consists of several accounting case studies completed throughout two semesters of Honors Accountancy 420 under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson. The projects combined both individual and group work and focused on applying accounting knowledge to real-world business situations and current events. Each case study required research, analysis, and evaluation of topics related to financial reporting, auditing, regulation, and corporate operations. Throughout the fall semester, the case studies introduced a variety of accounting and business topics that helped develop research, analytical, and communication skills. During the spring semester, the primary focus shifted toward analyzing the potential impact of …

Menstruation Behind Bars: A Mixed-Methods Study On Menstrual Product Access And Distribution Practices In Mississippi County Jails, Eron Hendrix

Honors Theses

This study examines menstrual product access and distribution practices in Mississippi county jails. It highlights the impact of period poverty as a critical yet underexplored public health and human rights issue within the corrections system. While existing research documents widespread inequities in access to menstrual products women’s healthcare in the correctional system, limited attention has been given to menstrual health at the local jail level. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combines qualitative interviews with jail correctional staff and quantitative survey data from formerly incarcerated women to better understand institutional practices and lived experiences.

Interviews were conducted with sheriffs, jail …

Measuring The Effect Of Mindfulness On Frustration And Creativity In Preschoolers, Jillian A. Badeaux

Honors Theses

Emotional regulation in early childhood is very important for later social development and overall psychological functioning, but research on the impact of mindfulness in this younger age group remains limited. This study examined whether a brief mindfulness intervention could improve emotion regulation (frustration) and creative problem solving in preschoolers. Fifty children ages 4 to 5 from preschools in the Mississippi Delta region were randomly assigned to a mindfulness or a control condition. Children in the mindfulness group received a brief intervention emphasizing deep breathing, present moment attention, and nonjudgemental awareness. All participants completed a Locked Box Task (Goldsmith, 1995) to …

A Compilation Of Accounting Case Studies, George R. Vandyke

Honors Theses

This thesis has been composed throughout the process of taking the Honors Accounting 420 class. This class spans two semesters and helps students understand certain aspects of financial accounting and related areas. These cases range from what may be involved in an audit to examining a company and how certain new laws may affect its business operations.

The information gathered for this was through group work and collaboration to achieve the common goal of completing each case. The cases varied from week to week, as well as the people with whom you would be working. This led to many different …

"First, Do No Harm": Ethical Failures And Preventive Solutions In The United States Pharmaceutical System - A Narrative Review, Rebekah R. Bailey

Honors Theses

The United States pharmaceutical system is highly advanced but faces growing ethical concerns related to drug development and marketing, overprescription, and high drug costs. This thesis examines how pharmaceutical marketing, regulatory practices, and prescribing behaviors may conflict with the ethical principle of “first, do no harm.”

Using a narrative review of interdisciplinary literature in public health, medical ethics, and applied ethics, this thesis analyzes patterns in drug development, marketing strategies, and regulatory oversight. The findings suggest that ethical issues are systemic, driven by commercial incentives, inconsistent regulatory standards, and an increasing reliance on pharmaceutical solutions. These factors contribute to overmedicalization, …

Of Corporations And Compliance: Accountancy Case Studies And An Exploration Of Future-Oriented Action In Corporate Accounting, Nathan K. Woo

Honors Theses

This thesis compiles several case studies completed under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson during the 2024–2025 academic year for the fulfillment of requirements imposed by Accountancy 420: Independent Study. The first semester (Fall 2024) involved four research cases. The first case involved analysis of AMC Entertainment’s annual report (10-K) for the purpose of identifying pertinent financial statement information and creating risk-mitigation strategies. The second case pertained to the January 2024 Corporate Transparency Act and its effect on reporting companies. The third case centered around analysis of the relationship between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and public accounting. Finally, …

Periodontal Disease In A Classic Maya Population From Ambergris Caye, Belize: A Cej-Ac Analysis, Avery R. Mcneil

Honors Theses

Dental remains provide a durable and information-rich record of biological, dietary, and health-related processes in past populations. This study examines periodontal disease, dental wear, and morphometric variation in a Classic period Maya population from coastal Belize (ca. A.D. 700-900) using cementoenamel junction-alveolar crest (CEJ-AC) distance as one measure of periodontal health. Dental remains were assessed using standardized bioarchaeological methods, including tooth identification, crown measurements, and periodontal scoring based on mean CEJ-AC distances recorded at preserved surfaces. The results indicate widespread mild to moderate periodontal disease across the sample, with posterior teeth exhibiting greater alveolar bone loss than anterior dentition. These …

Accy 420 Financial Reporting Casework And Class Takeaways, Davis C. Brewer

Honors Theses

In my practicum class during my junior year at the University of Mississippi, Dr. Dickinson assigned eight case studies over the course of our Accountancy 420 course. These case studies involved several different topics, many regarding financial reporting. This included a wide range of topics such as the Corporate Transparency Act, ESG regulations, asset theory, and most importantly the new Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) regulations. Throughout the year guest speakers would come to class and discuss working in the accounting industry, as well as answer any questions that we might have. During this time, we learned how to analyze …

Accounting In A Changing Landscape: A Collection Of Case Studies, Rachel K. Rowe

Honors Theses

This thesis comprises six independent yet interconnected case studies that reflect on a range of modern accounting and regulatory topics. These cases were written under the direction of Dr. Victoria Dickinson during two semesters of the Professional Research and Development Thesis Program at the University of Mississippi. The purpose of this class is to provide students with the opportunity to research cases that have real-world applications in the field of accounting.

The first case explores Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues, emphasizing the increased importance of reporting for them and the growing role of accountants in sustainability assurance. The second …

Accounting Practicum, Vincent A. Vavra

Honors Theses

This thesis consists of eight case studies and assignments completed over two semesters in Accountancy 420 under the guidance of Dr, Dickinson. These assignments were completed both collectively as part of a group and individually. These assignments and case studies explored a wide variety of topics related to accounting both directly, including research into the financial statements of multiple companies and audit methods, to more indirect effects such as examining the lives of political figures and economists. These assignments involved in-depth research into various topics in order to better understand how these topics may connect in real-world accounting and business …

Teaching Sex Education In Mississippi: A Qualitative Study Of School Practices And Perspectives, Kathryn E. Wildman

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the implementation of sex education policy in Mississippi, a state with persistently high rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Although House Bill 999 (2011) mandates sex education in public schools, limited research has explored how this policy is enacted in practice. Drawing on qualitative interviews with high school educators, school nurses, and representatives from community-based organizations, this study investigates how sex education is delivered, how educators are prepared, and how social and institutional factors shape classroom instruction.

The findings identify four central themes: substantial variation in implementation across school districts, inconsistent and often insufficient teacher …

What You Don't Hear About Barriers To Healthcare In The Deaf Community: Analyzing Interpreter Experiences In The Deep South, Ryan Augustine

Honors Theses

Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals experience significant health disparities in the United States, yet the perspective of the ASL interpreter has remained largely absent regarding the barriers documented in existing literature. This pilot case study examined the barriers Deaf individuals face when seeking healthcare through the unique vantage point of eight ASL interpreters across the Deep South: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Guided by grounded theory methodology, eight semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed to find recurring themes. Findings confirmed and revealed barriers that would not have surfaced without the perspective of the interpreter. Four themes emerged from this study: healthcare …

Curated Realities: Algorithmic Media And Cultivated Identity Among Gen Z, Terrell Atkins

Honors Theses

As media environments evolve, so does the process through which individuals form identity and understand social reality.  This study explores how algorithms within media influence identity and worldview, with a particular focus on Generation Z; the first generation born alongside the development of modern media systems.

A mixed-method approach was used with survey data and focus group discussions to better understand how repeated exposure to personalized feeds impact user’s perspectives and sense of self.  This research aimed to investigate how Gen Z users interact with and interpret their social media feeds, with attention to perceived alignment between media content and …

It’S Up To The States: The Role Of State-Based Safety Net Programs In Maternal Health Outcomes, Brooklyn Hall

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the relationship between state-based safety net programs and maternal health outcomes in the United States. Using the case studies of five states, namely Mississippi, Alabama, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California, this research examines how variations in programs such as Medicaid, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Paid Family Leave (PFL) influence maternal mortality rates and overall maternal health outcomes. The analysis shows that states with more generous and comprehensive safety net programs, like California and Minnesota, tend to report lower maternal mortality rates. In contrast, states with less robust programs, such …

Quantifying Black Carbon Concentrations In Georgia And Analyzing Associated Public Health Risks, Khloe R. Osborne

Honors Theses

Quantifying Black Carbon Concentrations in Georgia and Analyzing Associated Public Health Risks

One of the most daunting challenges of the industrial world is air pollution. Within this broad spectrum, there is an inhalable particle group named PM2.5, which contains black carbon. Black carbon has evidence that supports the generation and worsening of adverse health impacts, which may include birth complications, cognitive deficits in children, pulmonary aggravation, asthma, cardiovascular issues, neurological degenerative patterns, and cancer risk. This is especially seen in vulnerable populations, like children, elderly, and those who already suffer from weakened health, many of which reside in the southern …

A Compilation Of Accounting Studies And Analyses, Annalee Hill

Honors Theses

This thesis includes a study of the food company, General Mills, from the perspective of auditors who view General Mills as a client. Specifically, it is an investigation of General Mills’ extensive efforts to comply with a new political agenda, which may result in subsequent applicable regulation. To develop this analysis, my classmates and I used various sources, including General Mills’s real, current financial statements, over the course of several weeks to produce a three-part compilation on the company itself, its move toward healthier products, and how we could assist them in doing so as their auditors. We performed analyzed …

Cases In Accounting Contexts, Carson T. Kimble

Honors Theses

This thesis examines a series of eight applied case studies that explore contemporary issues in accounting. Rather than focusing on a single research question, this project is a broad set of accounting situations completed through a yearlong thesis class under the guidance of Dr. Victoria Dickinson. These cases explored technical skills, professional judgement, and analytical reasoning in the accounting profession. These cases required professional research, including analysis of financial statements, review of regulations, and evaluation of academic sources. The work also emphasized collaboration among classmates and application to real-world scenarios. The thesis explored a variety of challenges that accountants encounter …

Analysis Of Accounting Through Case Studies, Emily M. Ward

Honors Theses

This thesis looks at accounting principles though a series of case studies. The primary case study used from three parts includes examining Post Holdings financial statements, regulatory impacts, and assurances processes. This case aims to explore how companies operate, report their financial information, and respond to external pressures. The first part of the case involves evaluating the company’s structure, operations, and financial statements. The second part examines industry threats and opportunities, particularly regarding the current Make America Healthy Again agenda under the Trump administration. The third part looks at potential audit plans to enhance decision making. Through this process, the …

Aquinas In The Twenty-First Century: A Reconciliation With The Catholic Church’S Teaching On The Death Penalty, Diego G. T. Abele

Honors Theses

When the Catholic Church revised its paragraph in the Catechism that concerned the teaching on the death penalty, many believed that this seemed to contradict the Church’s traditional teaching on the death penalty, which has included the writings of thinkers like St. Thomas Aquinas. However, after applying principles of his natural law theory, this apparent contradiction goes away, and the full Catholic teaching on the death penalty comes to light. Several key theses of Thomist natural law will be described, addressing the metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical questions it seeks to answer. This will be the backbone of my paper as …