Digital Commons Network^™

Analyzing The Regionalized Awareness Of Distraction Osteogenesis, Ali Weinzapfel

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

There are multiple treatment options available to initiate bone growth within the oral cavity. Distraction osteogenesis is a surgical dental procedure performed to initiate new bone growth in the maxillofacial region. This procedure is an important advancement to dental professionals because of the minimal complications and great outcome of bone growth it offers. As dentistry is always evolving, it is imperative to relay current trends to other professionals within the field of dentistry. The goal of this research was to analyze the regionalized awareness of distraction osteogenesis. A survey was conducted among dentists in Kentucky and Tennessee with multiple questions …

A Targeted Approach? A Study Of Ngo Roles And Practices In Promoting Economic Development, Emma Shoaf

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

In recent years, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have become key actors promoting economic development. Despite their rapid rise, there are still significant gaps in the development sphere regarding what NGOs do in specific contexts. This research evaluates how NGOs promote economic development among Palestinian refugees in Lebanon to give context to general trends within development literature. Through an in-depth case study of the NGO Cives Mundi and their recent development project Tatreez–focused on promoting economic empowerment among Palestinian refugee women through the formation of a weaving co-op–this study seeks to evaluate key advantages and disadvantages to NGO work in specific …

Meeting Minutes, Wku Staff Council

Staff Council

Meeting minutes of WKU Staff Council.

Universities And Sustainable Food Practices: An International Comparison Along The Pacific Coast Of North America, Alexandra Schulte

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

My research project examined sustainable practices in relation to food sources at three universities located along the Pacific Coast of North America. The academic institutions were the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), and the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. These schools were selected because while they each foster an abundance of “local” foods and food industries, they represent different stages in the three pillars of sustainability for food practices. My project sought to understand the role of each institution in building a local and sustainable food culture at each university. I …

Snapple: Integrated Advertising Campaign, Hayley Renneker

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The National Student Advertising Competition is a competition college chapters of the American Advertising Federation can participate in. This competition has a corporate sponsor, this year being Snapple, which gives students the opportunity to write an integrated marketing campaign that addresses real advertising challenges Snapple is currently facing. I managed a group of 19 peers and worked for several months to come up with a solution to their current problem. We created a 27-page campaign book outlining the research we conducted, the target consumers, a “big idea,” creative execution, media plan, media budget, and campaign measurement. Our “big idea” carried …

The Age-Friendly Cities Project In Bowling Green: A Narrative History, Hannah Ruggles

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

An age-friendly city is one that “encourages active ageing by optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age. In practical terms, an age-friendly city adapts its structures and services to be accessible to and inclusive of older people with varying needs and capacities.” Bowling Green was the seventh city in the US to join the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and is currently in year three of a five-year project. The developments over the past two years have been guided by the principle that senior residents of Bowling …

A Spatial Analysis Of Settlement, Accessibility, And Quality Of Life Of The Burmese Refugee Population In Bowling Green, Kentucky, Matthew Riggle

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Refugee populations face many challenges when relocating and settling into a new country. The Burmese refugee population in Bowling Green, Kentucky experiences unique challenges when trying to settle and be assimilated into a typical midsize city. This paper explores a variety of geographic and demographic characteristics of neighborhoods with high concentration of Burmese immigrants, seeking to characterize the neighborhoods by several quality of life metrics. These metrics include median household income, rental rates, educational attainment, and many others. The neighborhood characteristics are studied using recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, specifically from the 2014 American Community Survey 5-year sample …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 92, No. 3, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news.

• Kast, Monica. Morale, Job Satisfaction Decrease in New Faculty Survey
• Carlson, Kylie. Good to Grow – Project Grow
• Moore, Elisabeth. Interim Chief of Police Sees Potential for Department – WKU Police
• Kast, Monica. Presidential Search Forum Hosted on Campus
• Dick, Jacob. Administrators Talk Changes, Goals with College Heights Herald Editors
• King, Jennifer. Editorial Cartoon re: Financial Pressure
• Pay to Play: Fee Part of an Emerging Pattern
• Henderson, Andrew. What’s On Your Mind?
• Johnson, Kalyn. Catcalling Is a Big Problem for Everyone
• Twists, Turns & Tunes – Cirque de la …

Exercise To The Rescue: An Analysis Of Altered Metabolic Gene Regulation Post-Exercise In Lean And Obese Individuals, Brandon Mudd

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The skeletal muscle of obese individuals exhibits a depressed ability to metabolize fats. Exercise training is thought to rescue this dampened ability to metabolize fats; mediated by a coordinated increase in the expression of a network of genes that regulate metabolism and fuel utilization. The purpose of this study is to determine the exercise-induced regulation of metabolically important genes in lean and obese individuals. Muscle biopsies (one pre-exercise/baseline and one immediately post-exercise) were obtained from 4 lean (BF% 24.4 ± 5.5; 23.5 yrs ± 1.9) and 13 obese (BF% 39.7 ± 2.4; 26.1 yrs ± 2.3), age-matched, relatively young subjects, …

An Engineering Approach To Industrial Research And Development Of Pillows, Wesley Patterson

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Comfort during sleep, though taken for granted, involves a great amount of research and engineering. Few give it a second thought, but nearly one-third of a person’s life is spent with their head on a pillow, thus making them a point for increased quality. Having been approached by a tier-1 bedding manufacturer, a team of both mechanical and electrical engineers was been tasked with the goal of creating a valid research tool that the customer, Tempur-Sealy, will utilize in the company’s research and development of high-end pillows. The team sought to tackle this project utilizing tools and knowledge gained throughout …

Student Perceptions Of Services For Veterans And Military Personnel, Philip Parsons

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Many Veterans are returning from the War on Terror and making their way to universities. Due to the many aspects of war and military life many maybe, or are experiencing some level of mental health issue/s. As more Veterans make this transition, resources may not be available for them to be successful in the classroom (Whitley, Tschudi, & Gieber, 2013). After reviewing the literature, a suitable instrument to measure these variables was not available. The researcher developed a survey and sampled students of one Midwestern public university. The variables included basic demographic questions and perceptions of Veterans and the services …

27 Floors Of Support: Effectively Advertising Campus Resources To College Students, Amanda Peerce

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

College campuses provide a large variety of resources to college students to help ensure their well-being and success; however, students cannot utilize these resources if they do not know they exist. While there has been extensive research on the importance and efficacy of resources on college campuses, not as much research has been done on how to advertise these services to college students. The goal of this project is to create and assess the efficacy of a campaign educating and encouraging students to seek out campus resources in times of need. This project focuses primarily on promoting resources to first-year …

Benefits Of A Flexitarian Diet: Educating College Students Of Lifestyle Approaches To Reduce The Risk Of Developing Breast And Prostate Cancer, Abbigail Pace

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Practicing the Flexitarian diet, a plant-based diet, in conjunction with physical activity can promote a lifestyle consistent with the American Cancer Society’s recommendations for reducing risks of breast and prostate cancer (American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention, 2015) College students were assessed on knowledge of the relationship between diet and cancer risk prior to and after accessing information on the American Institute of Cancer Research site or the WKU Flexitarian Pinterest Page. Participants were recruited from the National Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council memberships and the International students at Western Kentucky University. Participants completed a …

Gender Role Identification, Sexual Orientation, And Disordered Eating In Young Adults, Natalie Perkins

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Young adults are at a significantly high risk for eating disorders. Existing research is lacking in what factors can contribute to this disorder; however, there is some that suggests that self-identification with masculine and feminine gender roles can contribute to an individual’s risk for disordered eating. Research investigating disordered eating in sexual minorities is particularly slim. The current study sought to examine the relationship between gender role identification, sexual orientation, and disordered eating, as well as the roles that anxiety and depression have in disordered eating development. In our sample (n = 437, 73.6% female, 76.7% white, 87.6% heterosexual), participants …

To Cheat Or Not To Cheat: Impacts Of Learning Disability Status And Impulsivity On Cheating, Mckenzie Perdew

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Impulsivity is associated with academic dishonesty and deficits/disorders related to learning disabilities (LD). Despite separate connections made between impulsivity and academic cheating and between impulsivity and LD, there is little information in the literature regarding whether the impulsivity feature of some LD is related to higher rates of academic dishonesty among students with LD. We measured history of academic dishonesty, tolerance of academic dishonesty, and impulsivity in 83 Amazon Mechanical Turk participants. An independent samples t-test revealed that participants with LD exhibited higher levels of dysfunctional impulsivity compared to neurotypical (NT) peers. Dysfunctional impulsivity was associated with increased cheating tolerance. …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 92, No. 2, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news.

• Sullivan, Tommy. Campus Police Chief Search Ongoing
• Kast, Monica. Under the Sea – Royhan Gani, Geology & Geography
• Kast, Monica. Governor Matt Beavin Appoints Two New Board Regents – Jason McKinney, Julie Hinson
• Five Projects Student Government Association Plans to Tackle This Year
• Carlson, Kylie. Freshens Replaces Two Tower Restaurants – Dining Services
• Carlson, Kylie. Bookstore Introduces Self-Service System
• Kaetzel, Kylee. A New Journey: Talisman Builds On Its Legacy in New Form
• Ronkainen, Millie. Rediscovering My Authenticity During Camp
• Ares, Nicole. Five Ways to Cheat the Hill
• Ares, Nicole. …

Meeting Minutes, Wku Graduate Council

Graduate School

Meeting minutes.

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 92, No. 1, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news.

• Dick, Jacob. Debate & Questions Surface After Medical Center Decision
• Kast, Monica. Alive Center & Institute for Citizenship and Responsibility Consolidate
• Carlson, Kylie. Hypnosis, Hip-Hop Featured at MASTER Plan
• Ares, Nicole. New Alpha Xi Delta House Under Construction
• Ares, Nicole. Counseling & Testing Center to Offer Lunch-n-Learn Sessions
• Carlson, Kylie. Journalism Professors, Spouses Co-Author Book – Benjamin LaPoe, Victoria LaPoe
• Taylor, Brooks. Editorial Cartoon re: Medical Center
• Medical Center Deal a Bitter Pill to Swallow
• Henderson, Andrew. A Hello from the College Heights Herald
• Winstead, John. Socialist Convergence Was …

Ua3/9/7 Med Center Health Partnership, Wku President's Office - Ransdell

WKU Administration Documents

Email from WKU president Gary Ransdell to faculty & staff regarding agreements with the Medical Center of Bowling Green and University of Kentucky to create a sports medicine complex and medical school.

Special Meeting, Wku Board Of Regents

Board of Regents Documents

Called meeting to discuss partnership with The Medical Center to provide health care, physical therapy program and lease of WKU property.

The Effect Of Prescribed Fires On Vernal Herbs, Janis Lemaster

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The effects of fire on vernal herbs are little known. David Kem attempted to assess the influences of spring and winter prescribed fires on vernal herbs by collecting abundance data on three sets of research plots located at the WKU Green River Preserve in Hart County, KY, on April 9-10, 2010. On April 10 he conducted spring burns, and on February 22, 2011, he conducted winter burns. He then collected post-fire data on the abundance of the herbs on the 12-19 of March, 2011. He found little influence of fire on overall species richness and the density of common species. …

A Quantitative Analysis Of Hugelkultur And Its Potential Application On Karst Rocky Desertified Areas In China, Megan Laffoon

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

A type of environmental degradation, karst rocky desertification (KRD) refers to areas where the soil loss exposes the bedrock and reduces the land’s ability to sustain life and is particularly widespread through the vast karst area of rural southwest China. Hugelkultur is a permaculture method that harnesses the wood decomposition process by burying logs beneath soil. We proposed that hugel beds will demonstrate a higher water holding capacity and enhance soil development, in a way that may show promise as a potential method to help alleviate problems of KRD. Soil samples were taken from hugel plots, non-hugel plots, and KRD-like …

Case Study From Inside A Presidential Campaign In The 100th New Hampshire Primary: Analyzing The Hillary For New Hampshire Field Organization, Christopher Mckenna

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

On the 100^th anniversary of the New Hampshire primary, this case study analyzes a high profile political campaign in order to add to the discussion on the extent to which campaigns matter. The New Hampshire Primary is disproportionately important in the nomination process as the nation’s first primary; therefore, it is vital candidates perform well in the Granite State. I use my experience as a fellow on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s campaign in the Democratic Primary to critically analyze the campaign organization in New Hampshire. This case study will attempt to answer how Secretary Clinton’s field organization …

Muscle Dysmorphia And Athletic Identity, Taylor Mcgohan

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Society is creating a stronger importance for men to have muscular physiques. Therefore, increasing the dissatisfaction men have with their bodies and perceptions of body image. The current study assesses the possible relationship between muscle dysmorphia and athletic identity. As well as a relationship between lifting time and athletic identity. Participants for the current study took three different self-reported surveys to measure demographics, exercise history, level of athletic identity, and possible symptoms of muscle dysmorphia. It was hypothesized that those with strong athletic identities also have a stronger desire to gain muscle mass, increasing likelihood of displaying muscle dysmorphia symptoms. …

Association Of Body Weight With Athletic Success And The Occurrence Of Female Athlete Triad In Cross Country Athletes, Lindsey Hinken

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Young adult females who participate in endurance sports are at risk of developing Female Athlete Triad (FAT). The high prevalence of FAT among collegiate athletes and its potentially lifelong consequences substantiate the importance of relevant research. The objective of the present study is to identify the risk of FAT among the Western Kentucky University women’s cross country team, based on the presence or absence of the three FAT components, and to investigate the perceptions of those determined to be ‘at-risk.’ It was hypothesized that a preponderance of the WKU women’s cross country team would be considered ‘at risk’ for developing …

Transforming The Wku Office Of Sustainability's Front Yard Into An Edible Landscape, Alexandra Hezik

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Since moving to 503 Regents Avenue in Fall 2013, the WKU Office of Sustainability has served as a sustainable best practices demonstration home for the WKU and Bowling Green communities. Not only does the house in which the Office of Sustainability is located serve as an educational tool for people, but also the landscape. In May 2014, the WKU Community Garden was established in the backyard. The transformation of the Office of Sustainability’s front lawn into an edible landscape began on April 1, 2015. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate an alternative to conventional lawns.

Western's New Deal: The Shaping Of College Heights During The Great Depression, Sean Jacobson

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

This thesis addresses the Great Depression's impact on public higher education by analyzing developments at Western Kentucky State Teachers College. It also seeks to understand factors leading to the enshrinement of Henry Hardin Cherry as a larger-than-life figure upon his death in 1937. An investigative study into primary materials found that the New Deal projects on campus provided a boost for Cherry's leadership and charisma in his community. The concurrence of his death with the construction of a classroom building funded by the Public Works Administration determined his memorialization for posterity. The building, Cherry Hall, emerged as an institutional symbol …

How Best To Study For A Test: A Comparison Of Practice Retrieval And Self-Explanation, Casey Fortney

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Students often struggle to prepare for their exams, perhaps as a result of using an unhelpful study method. This study compared the effects of using three study methods: rereading, practice retrieval, and self-explanation. 79 college students studied a short science text passage and were tested with both verbatim and inference questions one week later. Students who reread the information did not perform differently from those who practiced retrieving or self-explained the information. Students who self-explained the information performed better on verbatim test questions than those who practiced retrieving the information. Possible explanations for these findings and implications are discussed.

Extracurricular Involvement And Anxiety In Relation To Suicide Ideation Among College Students, Paula Floyd

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Little research exists on college students’ extracurricular involvement as it relates to anxiety and suicidal ideation. The current study seeks to examine the relationships between extracurricular involvement, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. First, it was hypothesized that increased extracurricular involvement would relate to increased anxiety. Second, increased anxiety was expected to mediate the relationship between involvement and explicit suicidal ideation. Third, increased anxiety was expected to mediate the relationship between involvement and implicit suicidal ideation. Fourth, it was expected that thwarted belongingness would be a more accurate predictor of suicidal ideation than perceived burdensomeness. The sample included 80 undergraduates with a …

Cross-Cultural Comparison Of Credit Transfer Practices, Lending And Financial Inclusions In North America, Europe And The Middle East, Jessica Henao Barragan

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Many events highlight the relationship between credit availability and aggregate output. Macroeconomic models and financial market conditions have major impacts on the world economy. In addition, these represent the responses to financial chunks that differ in developed countries like the United Kingdom, France, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Canada and the United States. The impact of credit conditions is concerned, as well as the differences in the quality of banking supervision and the effectiveness of monetary policies in different parts of the world. The experience of developed countries sets an example of the integration process inevitably contributing to create an …