Digital Commons Network^™

Truly We Speak Podcast - Creative Thesis Project: "Uplifting Faith, Community, And Education Through The Voice Of The People.", Sierra Ward

Honors Theses

This creative thesis has been curated by Sierra Ward, a Sales and Marketing student at Western Michigan University. The intent behind this project was to combine shared interests between Faith, Community, and education to create a podcast, interviewing prominent members of the community, in hopes of inspiring others to “speak truly” and use their voice to evoke everlasting change. A wide range of guest were chosen to have authentic conversations with the purpose of educating the audience about real life situations. The filming of this project started in Fall of 2024 and concluded in the Spring of 2025.

Growing up …

Becoming Effie White: A Journey Of Evolution, Aniya Thompson

Honors Theses

This thesis paper is a reflection of Aniya Thompson’s process playing the role of Effie White in the Western Michigan University School of Theatre and Dance production of Dreamgirls. The Dreamgirls’ book and lyrics are by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger. This story is of a young Black female trio whose story brings light to the challenges of the music industry. As their fame grows, they face heartbreak, a shift in loyalty, and blatant exploitation while exploring themes of race, beauty standards and perseverance. Aniya reflects her artistic journey of stepping into Effie’s shoes emotionally, vocally, and …

The Laureate, Brooklyn Hoover

Honors Theses

The Laureate’s mission is to provide undergraduate students at Western Michigan University a medium through which to publish their fiction, poetry, nonfiction, photography, graphic novels, and other creative works. The Laureate strives to be a professional and engaging journal that appeals to all. The 23^rd edition of The Laureate is unique in that, despite having no strict guidelines on themes, mediums, or styles, we found that many students expressed themes of grief, recovery, self-discovery, and new beginnings. Together, these works create a complex story of introspection and reflection.

Co-editors, Grace Cieslikowski and Brooklyn Hoover facilitated the launch of the …

Students For Sustainable Fashion & The Impact Of Fast Fashion, Anne M. York

Honors Theses

This thesis report took a project-based approach, making a change on campus through Students for Sustainable Fashion (SFSF), a club I founded here at the University of Mississippi. My thesis intends to document the establishment process and record the growth of SFSF throughout its last three semesters. SFSF emerged due to a significant challenge identified through casual class conversations, observational thinking, and campus engagement. However, university students are provided with abundant information about fast fashion's detrimental effects, and many feel unable to act due to social pressures, financial constraints, and the influence of fast-paced consumer culture. While students often desire …

The Art Of Craft: An Inquiry Into The Illusion Of Difference, Abigail Cancel

Honors Theses

The art of craft: an inquiry into the illusion of difference is an exploration of why art and craft have been historically separated and the ways in which this idea pervades into the modern world. It touches on the importance of art to society overall, as well as the undeniable significance of craft to the art world.

"Does My Student Need Aac?": Identifying The Factors Influencing Speech-Language Pathologists' Initiation Of Aac Evaluations Through Survey, Charisse Lapuebla

Honors Theses

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods and devices enable individuals to communicate when otherwise unable to communicate fluently and verbally. Introducing AAC to children with developmental disabilities encourages increased communication and speech production (Yuan et al., 2024). ASHA states that there are no prerequisites for AAC use. The authors wholeheartedly agree with this position (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, n.d.). However, if no exclusion criteria for AAC use exists, AAC should be considered for each and every student. This is not common practice in the field. Due to the absence of exclusion criteria, the factors that prompt speech-language pathologists to initiate an …

Assessing A Possible Effect Of Males' Pheromones In The Phonotaxis Of Female Acheta Domesticus, Addy Rodriguez Velasco

Honors Theses

Acoustic communication in crickets is crucial for reproduction. Females respond phonotactically to the male's call. Prior research evaluating the selectivity of phonotaxis in these females, has focused on females that have been isolated from males from day 1 after metamorphosis. However, assessing phonotaxis in females raised in the presence of males, remains to be done. This study aims to investigate the phonotactic response of female Acheta domesticus that were housed with males prior to testing.

Results indicate that on average, male-exposed females respond phonotactically to a wider range of calls that those females in the control group. These results rule …

Church As Community: Religiosity And Queer Identity Among Emerging Adults In Adventist Higher Education, Chris N. Ngugi

Honors Theses

How do LGBTQ+ or “queer”-identifying emerging adults attending Seventh-day Adventist Christian institutions of higher education in the United States relate to their religiosity or relationship with religion? Within certain religious contexts (Avishai, 2020; Chiongbian et al., 2023; Lockett et al., 2023), including within the Seventh-day Adventist church (Pew Research Center, 2014), an individual’s LGBTQ+ identity may seem incongruent with commonly held stigmas, norms, doctrines, and beliefs maintained by religious group members and officials. LGBTQ+ identity and religiosity in such contexts are often described through “conflict” and “beyond conflict” theories, principally Cognitive Dissonance Theory and Identity Integration Theory (Rêgo-Moreira et al., …

Advancing Inclusivity: The Case For Change In Law Enforcement Training Regarding Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities And Autism, Sarah Stendel

Honors Theses

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID) are two neurodevelopmental disorders that, while different, can overlap for some individuals. ASD can present itself in difficulties in areas such as communication, processing of senses, and restricted and/or repetitive behavior. ID can present itself in ways such as difficulties with social skills, reasoning, problem-solving, and processing information. This honors thesis began from the thought that both ASD and ID may make any encounter with law enforcement officers more challenging as compared to law enforcement interactions with neurotypical individuals. In fact, research referenced in this thesis project shows that police officers frequently …

Visual Storytelling In Video Games, Michael P. Mclaughlin

Honors Theses

Every year, new top-hit video games are developed. Some are highly praised by critics, while others receive more mixed reviews. Among the factors that lead to these ratings is the plot/story elements. As more video games are published their focus on story elements has faded, overshadowed even, by newer graphics and jaw dropping mechanics. My Thesis and Project aim to show how games are a phenomenal medium that conveys complex stories with more engagement than most other mediums and resurface the importance of story development in games in the future.

The Unique Advantages And Disadvantages Of Film Production In The Rural Southeast, Brayden Shouse

Honors Theses

This article aims at uncovering the unique advantages and disadvantages to film production in the rural southeast. It does this in two ways: by conducting interviews with film production professions who have experience with film production in the rural south and by looking at outside sources of information related to the topic. This article then connects the two and finds that many of the outside sources strengthen the claims and opinions made by the film professionals. Some of the claims made by these professionals with backing by outside sources include: stereotypes about the rural south are prevalent in films and …

The Lara Croft Effect: The Sexualization Of Women In Video Games And Its Impact On Violence Against Women, Madeline G. Bowen

Honors Theses

Abstract

While violence against women is frequently associated with pornography consumption, this study expands the conversation by examining the broader media landscape, specifically, the impact of sexualized portrayals of women in video games. As gaming becomes increasingly mainstream, young audiences are routinely exposed to hypersexualized content that may shape attitudes toward gender and sexuality. This research investigates the relationship between the consumption of sexualized video game content and pornography use, as well as their combined influence on attitudes toward women and gender-based violence. Utilizing a survey distributed through online forums, gaming communities, and flyers at Eastern Kentucky University, the study …

Delulu Is The Solulu: The Role Of Social Media In The Spread Of Misinformation About Autism Spectrum Disorder, Shelby L. Collett

Honors Theses

Social media has become a platform many use to connect with others and to learn and spread new information. However, concerns have been raised regarding the general population’s media literacy skills. These concerns have only grown as more and more people use social media to share information about mental and neurodevelopmental disorders that may not be entirely true. As misinformation regarding mental disorders has grown, as has self-diagnosis rates, particularly for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Little research exists on how adept college students are at discerning between accurate and inaccurate information, especially when it comes to ASD. The purpose of …

The Weight Of Feeding The World: Stress In Kentucky Farmers, Natalie Tolle

Honors Theses

Agriculture work (farming, fishing, and forestry) is one of the most stressful jobs, with one of the highest suicide rates among all major job occupation groups. The stress that farmers face is often out of their control, stemming mainly from weather and financial concerns. This topic has been researched extensively in many countries around the world, however, research and literature are lacking in the United States, and specifically in the state of Kentucky. This study aimed to investigate the stress that Kentucky farmers face, how they cope with that stress, if it impacts their mental health, and how social support …

The Design Report: How Image Generative Artificial Intelligence Is Changing The Culture Of Design?, Katelyn M. Walker

Honors Theses

The rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) is reshaping the global culture of visual communication professions by automating design and design-thinking, causing an acceleration in the already-shifting values which favor profit, speed, and cost effectiveness over human expression. As the accessibility of GAI models is integrated into creative spaces, opportunities within the profession are beginning to diminish causing introductory and junior level design positions to be highly competitive and out of reach for many beginner designers’ reach. Additionally, GAI is causing the homogenization of global culture and values, ultimately reinforcing the ideas of capitalism. The result has been a …

The Impacts Of Maternal Mental Health On Fetal Development, Kaitlyn R. Tudor

Honors Theses

Depression and anxiety are among the most prevelent mental health disorders affecting women during the perinatal period. While often diagnosed postpartum, conditions such as postpartum depression and generalized anxiety disorder originate during pregnancy, affecting fetal brain and body development. This liturature review explores the distinct and combined impacts of prenatal anxiety and depression, highlighting the need for early detection and comprehensive care. It also examines predisposing factors, diagnostic tools, and interventions used to manage these conditions. Furthermore, the review considers how intersecting social factors- such as race, low socioeconomic status, education, culture, and barriers to healthcare- contribute to disparities in …

Traditions And Transitions: Intergenerational Family Relationships And Gender Roles In Appalachian Families, Abigail L. Belcher

Honors Theses

For hundreds of years the people of the Appalachian Mountains have come under scrutiny for their “backwards” and “outdated” customs. Often seen as inferior by the wider world, much nuance of Appalachian culture is overlooked and reduced to harmful stereotypes. Terms such as “hillbilly” or “redneck” serve to single out and label the people of Appalachia as “other.” Recent scholarship has taken to try and work around such stereotypes yet often fails to observe Appalachia through the eyes of its people, not generalized statistics. The practice of conducting and collecting Oral History serves to situate a select group of people’s …

Immersive Mixed-Reality Anatomy Lab, Cassidy Norkett

Honors Theses

The Mixed Reality Heart Anatomy Lesson was created to address the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine’s need for an interactive and dynamic laboratory lesson. The application allows for a more efficient way for medical students to learn and comprehend the material. The design and development of a mixed reality application running on smart glasses provides students with a situation aware, fully engaged, and immersive learning experience. The Apple Vision Pro device allows medical students to complete their labs by merging physiology and anatomy concepts through 3D models, object detection, self-assessments, and an artificial intelligence chatbot. There can be …

The Elephant Brain In The Room: A Lecture Recital On Neurodivergent Advocacy, Koda Moss

Honors Theses

This is a lecture recital; an event where live, performed art music is combined with lecture, with both parts being related. In this case, my lecture was on neurodivergent advocacy and accommodations, and the selected musical pieces were composed by neurodivergent composers.

Sweet Lies: Influence Of Food Marketing On Childrens’ Health And The Need For Reform, Mollie M. Warrington

Honors Theses

Markedly, there is heavy marketing of unhealthy food to children. This has become a significant public health concern because of escalating rates of child obesity, which have long-term consequences for physical health and severe mental health repercussions, such as body image concerns and low self-esteem. This thesis explores how food marketing strategies, historically rooted in television ads and evolving through digital platforms, are linked to children's dietary choices and broader public health implications. It analyzes various manipulative tactics, such as digital advertising, influencer endorsement, and gamification, showing how companies take advantage of the cognitive vulnerabilities of children to propagate unhealthy …

Distracted But Still Listening: How Cognitive And Perceptual Load Affect Multisensory Integration, Eddie Lee

Honors Theses

There is an ongoing debate about whether multisensory integration (MSI) occurs automatically and before attention is allocated or if multisensory integration occurs after attention is allocated and is subject to top-down attentional control. A recent study investigated this by manipulating the availability of attentional resources in a dual-task paradigm, finding that when the demands of the secondary task increased, susceptibility to the Sound-Induced-Flash-Illusion, a non-speech audiovisual illusion, also increased (Michail & Keil, 2018). This was taken as evidence for the role of post-attentive, top-down control during MSI. In the present study, we extend this logic to explore the role of …

Kentucky Comfort Care: Understanding And Awareness Of Palliative And Hospice Care In Kentucky Adults, Riley E. Hicks

Honors Theses

Kentucky has an overwhelming need for both palliative and hospice care services because of the high percentage of individuals who struggle with chronic or life-threatening conditions. Studies have shown that access to palliative and hospice care may be inhibited by the knowledge patients have of these services. The purpose of this study was to examine the awareness and understanding Kentuckians have of palliative and hospice care and to determine the factors influencing them. A 22-question survey was administered to collect information about Kentuckians understanding of available palliative and hospice care services and common vocabulary used by providers in these settings. …

See The Trees, Then The Forest: Tensions And Alignments In Parent-Teacher Relationships Within Maine’S Special Education System, Leila H. Low

Honors Theses

To examine relationships between parents and teachers within the special education system, the present research utilizes Bronfenbrenner’s (1977) ecological systems theory to understand how these relationships are influenced by interconnected systems, ranging from immediate school-level interactions to wider institutional and cultural contexts. Research has found that despite efforts to keep parents involved in the education process, barriers to full support of special education students often exist, such as the capacity of school systems and disagreements between parties (Leiter & Wyngaarden Krauss, 2004). Regardless of policies promoting parental inclusion, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), inequities in geography, …

Optimizing Radial Interfaces For Eye-Movement Authentication On Smartphones, Trey V. Tuscai

Honors Theses

Radial authentication interfaces offer privacy-preserving, calibration-free eye-movement authentication. While their effectiveness has been demonstrated on large displays, their performance on smartphones remains underexplored. This study investigates seven radial interface configurations on the iPhone 13, varying the number of radial indicators and password lengths to examine trade-offs between accuracy, security, and entry time. Through a controlled eye-tracking experiment with 27 participants, we evaluate each configuration’s performance and collect user prioritizations of the three factors. Our findings reveal that shorter passwords with fewer indicators improve speed and accuracy but reduce security, while longer configurations enhance security at the cost of usability. Based …

“Off To Greek Camp”: A History And Examination Of Greek America And Its Adaptation Of American Summer Camp Culture, Julia J. Walsh

Honors Theses

Camps are one of the most distinct institutions of American childhood, offering children a place to socialize and explore their identities. Since the late 19th century, camps have been used to inspire religious, social, and ethnic identity. Extensive research has been done into some kinds of summer camps, this thesis attempts to add to this literature through analysis of Greek Orthodox Summer Camp programs run under the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (The Metropolis of Boston Camp and Ionian Village). This dissertation examines the role of the modern religious summer camp in building and maintaining Greek American and Greek Orthodox …

Does The 25th Amendment Merit Reform?: The Challenge Of Determining Presidential Disability, Karena R. Andreassen

Honors Theses

This research project examines the persistent lack of use of the 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution in its original form, despite many calls for the reform of the language or expansion of its application as situations unfold. Adopted in 1967, the amendment was created to address the challenges of presidential succession and incapacity. However, historical events over the last few decades, such as the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, Reagan’s colon cancer, and the general increase in the age at which presidents assume office, have contributed to scrutiny over the amendments’ provisions. This study will explore why specifically …

Understanding Perspectives Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Central Maine, Bridget B. Meehan

Honors Theses

The present study investigates perspectives of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Rural Central Maine and the support measures needed to optimize students’ inclusive education experiences. The research examines views of three primary stakeholders: parents/guardians, teachers (general education and special education), and clinicians. By utilizing Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Model, I explore the complexity of inclusive education by analyzing how macrosystem beliefs (operationalized through logics) and mesosystem interactions across microsystems influence the educational experience for students with ASD (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). Part one of the research consists of a systematic literature review for each stakeholder, incorporating 45 sources across three prominent education databases. …

When Choice Disappears: Voter Cynicism In The Absence Of Competition, Benjamin J. Kaden

Honors Theses

This thesis explores the democratic consequences of uncontested state legislature elections in the United States, focusing on how the absence of electoral competition influences both voter engagement and political attitudes. While state legislatures wield significant influence over public policy and resource allocation, an increasing number of these elections proceed without meaningful opposition. Drawing on an original survey of 2,775 respondents, this study tests two core hypotheses: first, that uncontested state legislature elections lead to decreased voter engagement, as reflected in voter attitude towards election participation and candidate qualities; and second, that uncontested state legislature elections increase negative attitudes towards government …

Yukon Dust From Source To Sink: Characterizing The St. Elias Mountains As A High-Latitude Dust Source, Audrey Y. Lemoine

Honors Theses

High-latitude dust is an important, yet poorly understood, component of Earth’s climate system. It impacts weather and albedo by acting as cloud condensation nuclei, directly affects Earth’s radiative balance, and can enhance productivity by supplying nutrients to ecosystems. In order to better understand high-latitude dust dynamics and impacts, we sampled glacial meltwater, surface sediment, and Holocene loess in the Łhù’ààn Mân (Kluane Lake) region of the Yukon Territory, Canada. We found that suspended sediment concentration is correlated with average slope and glaciation within a catchment, and is influenced by river morphology. We present new εNd and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr …

Identifying The Spread Of Invasive Jumping Worms Across Maine’S Forests Using Soil Edna, Rebecca Wanger

Honors Theses

Jumping worms of the Megascolecidae family are invasive earthworms from East Asia that have been spreading across the United States since the late 1800s (Chang et al., 2021). Recently, the earthworms have gained more attention for their expansion into northeastern states, as they are believed to have negative impacts on the soil biogeochemistry, flora, and fauna of these forest ecosystems that have had no native earthworms given the recent nature of the Last Glacial Maximum (~11,000 yrs ago; Bohlen et al. 2004; McCay et al. 2020). The earthworms are distinguished by their thrashing behaviors, milky-white smooth clitellum, and evenly spaced …