Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

From Colony To Classroom: British Rule And Contemporary Educational Outcomes In India, Yashvita Shukla

Honors Theses

This study analyzes the modern day legacy of British colonial ruling structures on Indian educational outcomes. In directly ruled areas, the British retained total control, while Indian princes in indirectly ruled areas had administrative agency. I find that directly ruled districts have higher literate population shares across both genders over three census years, but no significant difference by 2011 in primary, secondary, and tertiary education, controlling for colonial geographic conditions. Gender-disaggregated results generally find stronger colonial effects for women than men. This thesis challenges earlier findings and implies that the British effort to create an educated administrative class and their …

Fair Play? Gender Equity, Title Ix And Resource Allocation In College Athletics, Caleb Horsch

Honors Theses

Amid a period of rapid transformation in college athletics, gender equity and Title IX remain underemphasized in the discourse. This study investigates disparities in athletic expenditure by gender, finding that in 2022, Division I institutions spent approximately $1.30 on men’s teams for every $1.00 spent on women’s teams. While Title IX does not mandate equal spending, it does require that schools provide equitable experiences for male and female student-athletes. The persistence and magnitude of an expenditure gap call into question if schools are continuing to meet Title IX. This study identifies the characteristics of schools associated with less equal expenditure …

Are Cities Still Liberal? An Analysis Of Post-Pandemic Political Change In American Cities, Olivia Mundy

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates whether American cities are experiencing a political shift to the right in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as suggested by recent media narratives. Drawing on an original national survey of 2,385 respondents conducted in early 2025, the study examines attitudinal and demographic changes among urban residents, with a particular focus on ideology, trust in local government, economic perceptions, and views on race and immigration. Despite anecdotal evidence of conservative gains in urban elections, the findings show no significant trend toward conservatism among urban residents overall. In fact, urban respondents were slightly more likely than their non-urban …

In Between The House Light And The Sun Rise, Xinyi Zhang

Honors Theses

In Between the House Light and the Sun Rise is a research project that includes a 20-minute performance and a written thesis. The research uses the framework of relationality to explore the relationship between humans and houseplants. Although houseplants live in a human-constructed environment, they have their own influences on people and the space around them. Learning from the ways plants move through time and space and the connections plants make with each other and with other living and non-living things, this project aims to use movement to reimagine the way we think about time, space, and community. This project …

Once Upon Another Time: Retelling Fairy Tales & Legends With Inclusive Identities For Modern Young Adult Audiences, Hailey Drapcho

Honors Theses

This thesis explores how modern young adult (YA) fairy tale retellings can act as interventionist works as part of the mythopoeic YA fantasy sub-genre, where they enfold traditionally excluded identities into the archetypal role of the fairy tale female protagonist who is expected to embody an idealized form of girlhood. Fairy tales have a profound impact on self-image and how individuals create expectations of their role in the world. By fracturing the archetypes maintaining restrictive and exclusionary expectations, mythopoeic YA fairy tale retellings affirm the young adult girl to embrace her own individual identity and determine her role in the …

Second Generation Immigrants In Higher Education: Experiences In Selective Liberal Arts Contexts, Brenna Paxton

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the educational experiences of second-generation students at a selective, predominantly white liberal arts institution, in order to better understand what types of factors and practices contribute to their success, and how successful educational trajectories intersect with racial, ethnic, cultural and gender identities. To explore this, hour-long interviews were conducted, diving deeper into the educational experiences of second generation immigrants, also considering the lives of previous generations such as parents and grandparents. Interviews were transcribed and coded, uncovering patterns and themes that existed across participants’ experiences. Findings revealed that second generation immigrants at …

The Boston Metco Program: Recent Alumni Experiences And Educational Equity, Maya Hernandez

Honors Theses

This project focuses on contemporary school integration practices by examining, in particular, the Boston METCO (Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity Inc) program and the experiences of its recent alumni. The METCO program, the United States’ longest-running voluntary school desegregation program, was created in 1966 to give students of color from the city of Boston better educational opportunities by busing them to the surrounding suburbs for school. To this day, it is a program meant to expand educational opportunities, increase diversity, and reduce racial isolation, by permitting students from Boston to attend public schools beyond district lines, in the suburbs. My …

How The Town Views The Gown: A Case Study Of A Campus-Community Relationship, Dora Kreitzer

Honors Theses

This research uses Bucknell and Lewisburg as a case study to understand the relationship between universities and their surrounding communities. While prior research has focused on urban, large, and/or research-oriented universities, the rural, small, and predominantly liberal arts nature of Bucknell provides an opportunity to explore how campus-community relationships vary by environment. Forty-eight qualitative semi-structured interviews and 12 months of observation of Lewisburg Borough Council meetings are used to explore three main areas of the town-gown relationship: economics, space, and social capital. These three themes emerged from interviews and observations as the most important determinants of residents’ perceptions of the …

Reflecting Faith In The Heartland: A Study Of The Architecture Of Mainline Protestant Christian Churches In Kalamazoo County, Mi., Ian Russel

Honors Theses

The Midwest is a region with fuzzy borders and an equally confusing place in the American imagination. Is it the last refuge of a more wholesome, innocent America filled with white picket fences or a drab, suffocating post-industrial landscape? Despite largely dominating how the region is depicted in popular culture, neither of these representations is entirely accurate. One possible step towards developing a more accurate understanding of the Midwest is examining the churches that dot its towns and cities. Many of these churches belong to mainline Protestant Christian denominations such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), …

Reusable Takeout Container Research And Implementation In The City Of Kalamazoo, Alexa Hempel

Honors Theses

In 2018 alone, the United States added 830,000 tons of single use takeout containers to landfills. The City of Kalamazoo’s Community Sustainability Plan calls for a reduction of waste going into landfills, so single use takeout containers were targeted as an item to reduce for implementation of this goal.

Research was conducted on the feasibility and interest of adding reusable takeout container options to downtown Kalamazoo food establishments. This involved a survey of Kalamazoo residents which garnered over 1,100 responses and a survey of downtown food establishments, which displayed interest from both parties. However, even with the strong initial interest, …

Qualitative Research: Exploring Food Preservation Methods In Rural Appalachian Kentucky To Address Food Deserts, Michele L. Highland

Honors Theses

This study aims to explore safe food preservation methods for rural Appalachian households in Kentucky, where residents may face challenges related to food insecurity and living in food deserts. Four interviews were conducted with food preservation professionals from Extension Offices (n=2) or community kitchens (n=2) in Kentucky. The researchers transcribed the interviews, and the qualitative data were analyzed using MAXQDA version 24. Through this qualitative analysis, coding and themes related to food preservation methods were identified. The results indicated that water bath canning and freezing were identified as the most recommended methods for home preservation due to their convenience and …

Study Of The Effect Of Social Anxiety And Social Support On Third Place Perceptions In Student Samples, Lillian M. Lestrange

Honors Theses

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and perceived social support are well-documented to influence social interaction styles and behaviors. Some data suggests that SAD and social support relate to perceptions and familiarity with various public spaces outside of home and work (i.e., third places). This study assessed relations among social anxiety, self-perceived social support, and attitudes/beliefs about ten common third places (i.e., perceived degree of restorativeness, preference, and sentiment for these places) among undergraduate psychology students (n = 92). Contrary to predictions based on prior research (Fong et al, 2021, Case & Hunter, 2012), social anxiety symptoms did not correlate with any …

Social Patterns In Physical Infrastructure: Associations Between Socioeconomic Status And Walkability, Kaylee Coursey

Honors Theses

Studies analyzing the relationship between socioeconomic status and physical infrastructure of a city are inconsistent in findings but agree on racial and class disparities. Utilizing walkability (Walk Score) as a measurement for physical infrastructure, this thesis aims to understand the relationship between socioeconomic status and the walkability of a city. The Socio-Ecological framework suggests that environmental experiences are correlated with the social functioning of a community. Thus, socioeconomic status has a significant impact on the quality of one’s built environment.

Using housing data from the 2021 American Community Survey (ACS) and Walk Score, a series of quantitative analyses were conducted …

Examination Of Urban Spatial Structure After Covid Based On Hedonic Price Model, Shaoting Wen

Honors Theses

The traditional monocentric and polycentric city model assumes that people commute to the urban centers/subcenters (UCS) for work and, thus the houses close to the centers have convenience premium in commuting cost which drives up their prices. However, with more and more people switching to hybrid /remote working, average commute cost decreases, leading to the location of UCS and commute time influence less on housing price. This paper revisited the hedonic price model under the polycentric city context with the introduction of kernel density estimation (KDE). By choosing three of the top ten high-remote potentials and three of the top …

When Do Justices Vote Against Their Ideology?, Ember Bowman

Honors Theses

This paper examines the inherently political nature of the U.S. Supreme Court, focusing on the appointment process, judicial behavior, and the influence of public opinion and how those cause justices to vote against their ideologies. The Supreme Court was created to be an independent judiciary, however, today that proves to be untrue. It analyzes constitutional provisions and the historical development of the Court’s powers, drawing on Federalist No. 78 to emphasize the importance of judicial independence. This study highlights the role of the President and Senate in appointing justices, exploring how political and demographic criteria affect nominations. Additionally, it addresses …

Highs And Hollows: Exploring The Overall Drug Use Of Kentucky Universities From Urban To Appalachian, Venessa Miller

Honors Theses

Drugs cause chemical changes to a person’s mental and physical state and the misuse of such substances is a problem that affects not only strangers but our community and those closest to us. It is of utmost importance to determine the root and depth of the drug problem, especially among populations where the risk is highest. College students, also known as emerging adults, are a vulnerable group due to their unique environment that fosters higher exposure rates and the normalization of substance use. The current study focuses on students in higher educational institutions throughout Kentucky, a state known for being …

A Survival Guide To The Aviation Flight Science Degree At Western Michigan University, Aidan Schmidt

Honors Theses

For my thesis project, I decided to write a paper about A Survival Guide to the Aviation Flight Science Degree at Western Michigan University. Given my four years of experience in this program, I have plenty of insights, recommendations, and do’s and don’ts regarding this degree for incoming freshman as well as current students in the program looking for advice. I decided to choose topics based on knowledge I wish I was provided before coming to Western for this program, as well as insight it would have nice to been provided during my tenure here.

I start off providing a …

American And German Environmental Policy: Differences In Institution Building Between The Great Lakes And Lake Constance, Thomas Johnson

Honors Theses

When it comes to the protection of water sources, the relationships between stakeholders around the Great Lakes region and the Lake Constance region differ remarkably. This is due to a variety of different reasons, the biggest reason being the major differences between the political norms of these two areas. During the 1960’s and 1970’s the relations between America and Canada and their respective ecological coalition groups were very different from those between Germany, Switzerland, Austria and their coalition groups. These differences resulted in a distinct evolution in the formation and handling of Transnational Advocacy Coalitions, or parapublic institutions, in the …

As Bonecas Babadeiras: Drag Subculture And Global Media In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Logan Baggett

Honors Theses

21st century global queer culture is seeing a major boom. Drag queens are the most indicative symbols of this boom, traditional practitioners of gender-bending performances that blend music, dance, makeup, and fashion to create breathtaking performances. To this end, this thesis asks the following question: How is local drag performance culture generated in Rio de Janeiro in the context of this 21st century gay boom? In this global metropolis, drag queens confront challenges––racism, classism, sprawling urban geography, and scene competition––that color their interpersonal relationships and financial success. They also find community, creating family units in the absence of heteronormative power …

A Compilation Of Financial Accounting Case Studies, Molly O'Connor

Honors Theses

The case studies comprising this thesis place accounting in the context of the broader political and economic landscape. Through multimedia platforms and group discussions presented throughout the spring and fall semesters of 2023, I considered the interplay between legislation and business and reflected on the ultimate impact these events have on Americans. In- class discussions regarding references to current events, such as the war in Ukraine and impending legislation, prompted me to see the need to be well-informed if I want to be an effective auditor as well as a responsible citizen. In Case 1, I was offered the opportunity …

Moca Normative Data On Young Adults Using An Adapted Version And Remote Administration Via Zoom, Elizabeth Johns

Honors Theses

Overview:

Cognitive decline is often associated with the emergence of dementia and other negative developments in health. Due to the potential for harm that cognitive decline can cause, it is essential that clinicians are able to detect and identify when it is occurring. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is useful clinically mainly because of the test’s ability to identify mild cognitive impairment. Following the pandemic in 2020, telehealth has become prominent. Previous studies considering MoCA have mostly used samples of older adults, but it is important to understand the impact of traumatic brain injuries on young adults. The following study …

Financial Accounting Case Studies, Porter May

Honors Theses

In this thesis, a series of case studies are presented, which were undertaken as part of the ACCY 420 course during the 2022-2023 academic year. The cases encompass a diverse range of subjects, including but not limited to Environmental Social Governance (ESG), audit risks, and tax planning strategies. Additionally, contemporary events such as the downfall of Silicon Valley Bank and the financial market crisis of 2008 were scrutinized. The studies involved both individual and collaborative efforts to gather substantial evidence. The first five cases concentrate on the analysis of Flowers Foods and its financial standing. A team of five students, …

High Stakes: Analyzing The Legal And Law Enforcement Challenges Of Mississippi's Medical Marijuana Industry, Brighton Bensley

Honors Theses

Despite opposition from law enforcement and government officials, Mississippi citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of establishing a medical marijuana program in 2020. The passing of Senate Bill 2095 (or the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act) marks a significant shift in the state’s drug policy and is a rare example of my home state at the forefront of an emerging industry. My thesis examines the effects of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act by providing an overview of the challenges it creates for the state’s law enforcement agencies and legal community. By analyzing local news stories, public statements from officials, and studies from …

Knowledge And Perceptions Of Pharmacogenomics Among Mississippi Pharmacists, Nicholas Dean

Honors Theses

Pharmacogenomics (PGx), an area of study that relates a patient’s genetics to the medicines they take, has been shown to be an effective alternative to trial-and-error prescribing. Despite the benefits pharmacogenomics may bring, pharmacists, while optimistic about the practice, appear to lack knowledge and access to other resources to bring PGx to the front lines of practice. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess Mississippi pharmacists’ knowledge and attitudes about PGx, readiness for practice of PGx, their education needs for PGx, their application of PGx in practice, and their perception of the ethics of PGx practice.

A cross-sectional …

The Water Crises In Flint, Michigan And Jackson, Mississippi: A Comparative Analysis Of The Public Water System Failures, Grace Doody

Honors Theses

This undergraduate thesis aims to determine the societal, economic, and policy contributions of public water sector failures by comparatively analyzing the water crisis of Flint, Michigan and Jackson Mississippi. By examining the backgrounds of Flint and Jackson it is clear poverty, governmental neglect, and a lack of accountability influence the likelihood of a public water crisis. This thesis specifically compares Flint and Jackson’s demographics, the media’s response to each crisis, and the use of third-party administrators in the two water crises. The practical applications of these findings are for government agencies across all levels to actively work together to ensure …

Around The World In 80 Days: Navigating Culturally Diverse Texts In Secondary English Education, Abby Boyer

Honors Theses

In the secondary English classroom, the inclusion of diverse texts holds importance in fostering a rich and inclusive learning environment that reflects the realities and complexities of our diverse world. Diverse texts encompass a wide range of voices, perspectives, and experiences that represent various cultures, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. By incorporating such texts into the curriculum, educators not only honor the diversity of their students but also provide them with opportunities to engage critically with different narratives, develop empathy, and cultivate a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human experience.
Moreover, diverse texts offer …

Accounting Chronicles: Real-World Case Studies, Hannah Coyle

Honors Theses

This thesis compiles case studies exploring accounting principles that intersect with real-world events, from historical incidents to financial crises and contemporary issues. Each study highlights accounting’s significance across diverse economic sectors, emphasizing accounting’s pervasive influence on influential figures, economic trends, and regulatory authorities. Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach including documentaries, articles, financial reports, and academic courses, the research reveals the intricate relationship between accounting practices and global events. Findings underscore the profound impact of economic trends on the accounting profession, showcasing the underlying motivations driving these occurrences and its adaptability to changing global landscapes. Overall, this thesis provides insight into accounting’s …

Interspecific Venom Variation Among Three Shades Of Aphonopelma Tarantulas: A. Gabeli, A. Hentzi, And A. Anax, Jorjia Elmore

Honors Theses

Phenotypic variation is a common occurrence throughout the animal kingdom and can occur both interspecifically and intraspecifically. Interspecific variation evolves in response to differential selection between species whereas intraspecific variation is commonly expressed as sex-based or population-based differences. Both interspecific and intraspecific phenotypic differences occur frequently in venomous species including arachnids, and can often result in differences in venom yield, potency, and protein. The North American tarantulas (Theraphosidae: Aphonopelma), include approximately 35 species and little is known about their venom. To test for interspecific and intraspecific venom variation, we collected individuals from three species and generated proteomic profiles and Illumina …

Microfaunal Remains From The Ryan-Harley Site, Savanna Caylor

Honors Theses

The Ryan Harley site is located in the Wacissa River basin in northern Florida. It is one of the few sites in the southeastern United States to contain a Suwannee point artifact. Several excavations in 2015 and 2017 showed extinct and extant faunal remains within and around the Suwannee component. The geoarchaeological data showed that whether these remains were in situ or not is inconclusive. This paper will focus on the microfloral and faunal remains to draw conclusions about the environment encountered during the Younger Dryas (12,900-11,700 cal B.P). The relationship between floral and faunal species present will help to …