Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Synthesis And Antibacterial Activity Of A Main-Chain Cationic Polymer, Emily Smith

Honors Theses

Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to public health. Due to the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture, the overprescription of antibiotics, and the misuse of antibiotics by patients, antibiotic resistance is spreading at an alarming rate. As antibiotic resistance spreads, the antibiotics we depend on to treat common infections become ineffective. Therefore, it is imperative to develop novel treatments for infections that do not increase the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. One treatment being explored is the use of synthetic polymers with antibacterial properties. Synthetic polymers are advantageous because they can be synthesized from widely available precursors and their structure is …

Cleft Palate And The Coordination Of Wnt Signaling And Pax9 In Murine Palatogenesis, Landon Wyatt

Honors Theses

Cleft palate is a common craniofacial birth defect that arises when the molecular and morphogenetic events guiding secondary palate formation lose coordination during a narrow developmental window. In mice, successful palatogenesis requires the paired palatal shelves to grow vertically, elevate above the tongue, and fuse at the midline; disruption of any of these steps can result in clefting. Two important regulators of this process are canonical Wnt signaling and the transcription factor Pax9, both of which contribute to normal palatal mesenchymal growth and patterning during early development. This paper first examines whether altered Dkk1/Wnt signaling contributes to the Pax9-null palate …

Human Dignity In The Foundational Political Documents Of The United States, Kalista Roades

Honors Theses

Human dignity is integral to modern discussions of human rights and liberties, but this connection can be found stretching back through history to the early developments of human rights. This paper begins with modern philosophical definitions of human dignity, especially from Rosen and Kateb. Rosen discusses four “strands” of dignity- Intrinsic Dignity, Status Dignity, Manner Dignity, and Respect Dignity. This paper then uses that framework to find human dignity implicit within the founding documents of the United States including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights, as well as “Common Sense” and the Magna Carta to …

“Under The Fig-Tree”: Post-Revolutionary Literature Influences American Government, Clara Kernodle

Honors Theses

The literary context of post-Revolutionary America developed a broad sense of the American character as virtuous, hardworking, and responsible. In the 1780s, three American writers, representing these three categories of literature, penned their perspectives on human character and society, to much commercial success. J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur, Royall Tyler, and Philip Freneau described their situations and opinions with candor and wit, helped spark a broad sense of the American character, and influenced the authors of the nation’s founding documents. At the end of that same decade, Anti-Federalist political philosophy drew from an established literary conception of the American …

Personal Tendencies And Traveler Preferences: A Study On Personality-Driven Travel Marketing, Evelyn Filleman

Honors Theses

This study examines the influence of personality typing (as outlined by the International Personality Item Pool test structure) on travel decision-making as it relates to marketing matrix strategies. Understanding the relationship between personality type and travel is crucial, as individuals will have different need hierarchies and place decision-making factors on different levels of priority. This study uses the theoretical frameworks of Clifford Geertz and Michael Pacanowsky (Cultural Approach to Organizational Communication) and Judee Burgoon (Expectancy Violations Theory) to inform, direct, and explain the results of the completed research. A total of 261 participants were asked to take a survey outlining …

Network Analysis: An Application Of Graph Theory In Biology, Kiana Dunbar

Honors Theses

Graphs are simple, visual representations of entities as nodes connected by edges. They are used to convey relationships within a system. Networks are comprised of interrelated entities that are not easily separable, producing complex, structured data. These can be seen in social groups, highway systems, and even in biological systems. This paper surveys concepts in graph theory for application to the analysis of network data to understand disease. The features of graphs provide a useful framework for thinking about relationships between different genes or proteins. The structure of graphs is also compatible with a variety of machine learning tools. Especially …

The Hollywood Rap And Trap Culture Industry And Its Portrayal Of Crime, Youth Socialization, And Anti-Social Behavioral Norms, Ishika Sen

Honors Theses

This thesis synthesizes and reflects on media effects and hip-hop studies to examine how the Hollywood rap/trap industry participates in the influence of normalization of crime and anti-social behaviors, substance use, and the sexualization of women among youth (ages 13–21). I integrate analytic evidence on media violence with lyric/content analyses of rap and critiques of the criminal justice system in hip-hop. Specific subtopics from my outline include: theoretical frameworks (media-violence, social learning, cultivation, cultural criminology); corporate marketing and social-media amplification; youth vulnerability; and three patterned domains which include substance abuse, gun violence, and the sexualization of women, often leading to …

Picc-Pal: A Support Band For Independent Picc Line Use, Kylie Luker

Honors Theses

This project presents the design and evaluation of PICC-PAL, a wearable assistive device intended to improve independence and usability for patients managing peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) at home. Current at-home PICC line management often requires help due to the fine motor skills needed to connect and secure tubing. This increases reliance on caregivers and introduces potential risks such as infection and dislodgement. Through stakeholder analysis, prior art evaluation, and iterative prototyping, a device was developed to stabilize the PICC line lumen and enable one-handed connection of medical tubing. Throughout the project, multiple design concepts were explored, with the …

Echoes Of Deception: The Historical Impact Of Propaganda And Disinformation On Public Opinion, Justina Zgaljardic

Honors Theses

This study reconceptualizes propaganda not as a collection of regime-specific messaging practices, but as a structured and adaptive system of perception management operating across political and ideological boundaries. Addressing fragmentation within existing scholarship, it examines how propaganda constructs legitimacy, organizes interpretation, and aligns individual cognition with state objects through recurring narrative strategies and disinformation mechanisms. Using a qualitative framework, the analysis draws on primary materials from four wartime cases: the Stalinist Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, the United States during World War II, and wartime Britain. The findings demonstrate that, despite variation in political systems, propaganda consistently operates through three interrelated …

Impacts Of Biodiversity In Short Rotation Woody Crop Production Systems On Water Quality, Nyla C. Jones

Honors Theses

Mitigating agricultural nutrient runoff and improving water quality are key challenges in meeting food and energy demands. To address this challenge, short rotation woody crops (SRWC), specifically Populus deltoides (eastern cottonwood) and its genotypes, can be planted at the interface of riparian areas and agricultural production fields to alleviate fertilizer runoff into adjacent bodies of water. This research employed an experimental design to evaluate the effects of P. deltoides diversity on tree productivity and nutrient uptake, and how it mitigates agricultural runoff. Ion exchange resins were deployed 0.5 meters below the soil surface at three different sites in Mississippi, each …

The Catalan-Speaking Linguistic Landscape Of Spain: A Comparative Analysis Of Commercial Signage In Barcelona, Valencia, And Palma De Mallorca, Kyle Reasons

Honors Theses

The present study is a linguistic landscape of the Catalan-speaking region of Spain. Linguistic landscaping is a relatively new survey technique in the world of linguistics first developed in a study by Landry & Bourhis (1997) and has a focus on addressing the languages present on various forms of signage within a given area. Catalan is a Romance language with approximately 9 million speakers where it is recognized as a co-official language in 3 communities included in this study (the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community). This study looks at 3 cities in Spain (Barcelona, Valencia, and Palma de …

Why Western Michigan University Should Implement A Women's Varsity Ice Hockey Program, Lauren Young

Honors Theses

This study evaluates the feasibility and strategic value of implementing a varsity women’s ice hockey program at Western Michigan University (WMU). As women’s ice hockey continues to experience significant growth at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels, disparities in participation opportunities persist, particularly within institutions that sponsor men’s hockey but not women’s programs. This research argues that WMU is well-positioned to address this gap by establishing a women’s varsity ice hockey team that aligns with institutional goals, gender-equity standards, and national participation trends.

A qualitative case study approach was used to assess feasibility through three primary areas: institutional comparison, …

Public Sector Employment: An Examination Of The Perceptions Of Potential Employees And The Realities Of Public Sector Hiring Agencies, Davis B. Chambliss

Honors Theses

This study investigates the growing challenge of recruiting Gen Z employees into the public sector, focusing on the disconnect between younger workers’ career preferences and their perceptions of government employment. While prior research suggests that Gen Z values purpose-driven work, stability, and community impact, public sector organizations continue to face hiring shortages and an aging workforce. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining a literature review with original survey data collected from two groups: college students and public servants from three states. The student survey generated 119 responses, with 72 qualifying participants, while the public servant survey yielded 30 responses. …

Whose Fault Is It Anyways?: An Investigation Into Mississippi Divorce And Contested Custody Laws In Practice, Charles Conner

Honors Theses

When compared to almost any other state in the country, Mississippi is an outlier when it comes to divorce and child custody laws. Mississippi still retains a fault-based system to adjudicate contested divorces and still maintains best interest of the child as the default custody standard in court. These standards make Mississippi an exception nationally, requiring dedicated hearings to assign blame for the collapse of a marriage. This thesis aims to study how this unique system has impacted those going through it by surveying attorneys in the state who practice family law. This thesis will compare experiences both nationwide and …

Charity Pharmacies: An Integrative Overview Of Operations: A Continuing Education Program For Pharmacists, Stella Bertram

Honors Theses

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The goal of this activity is to educate pharmacists about Charity Pharmacies by creating an integrative overview of their purpose, laws and regulations, processes and procedures, eligibility, and opportunities for involvement. This course will ensure pharmacists are competent in the operations involved in volunteering or working within a charitable pharmacy.

Additionally, the information provided supports pharmacists in understanding their roles as well as roles of volunteers. They will understand the importance of their role in the community and the depth of their service within Charity Pharmacies.

Trust In Government: How Sex, Race, And Ideology Shape Confidence In State And National Officials, Holden A. Mattison

Honors Theses

This research examines how sex, race, and political ideology shape individual trust in state and national government officials, with a particular focus on Mississippi as a case study. Drawing on data from the Mississippi Poll (2010-2014) and the 2024 American National Election Study (ANES), the research analyzes both bivariate and multivariate relationships to assess how demographic and ideological factors influence political trust across institutional levels. The findings reveal that race and ideology are significant predictors of trust at the state level, while sex has little effect. Whites and conservatives are generally more likely to express trust in state officials, whereas …

Navigating Uncertainty: A Deep Insight Into Tariffs’ Effects On The Automotive Industry, Gavin J. Gautier

Honors Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to address the financial, strategic, and external effects caused by tariffs within the automotive industry, with a specific focus on the effects caused by the Section 232 tariffs imposed on aluminum and steel. More Specifically this thesis will examine a comparative analysis of General Motors between 2017 and 2018 during the Section 232 enactment. While traditional studies tend to observe the input-cost effect, my hope is to examine the broader effects at the firm-level, such as inventory shifts, cost management, and risk hedging procedure. Through an evaluation of GM’s 10-K filings, key financial ratios, …

University Theatre Guild Guide, Maria Perez

Honors Theses

The WMU Theatre Guild Assistant position is one of the primary assistantships in the Arts Administration department. The Theatre Guild Assistant works alongside Emily Duguay, the Director of Arts Administration, Joan Herrington, the Director of the School of Theatre and Dance, and the WMU Theatre Guild Board to manage their daily operations and help develop donor events. The University Theatre Guild Guide explains the details and processes this position follows. This guide is broken down into four sections. The first section is the Introduction. The Introduction includes congratulations from the past Theatre Guild Assistant and a short breakdown of the …

The Use Of Cognitive Biases In Russian Cyber Operations, Emma Manning

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how Russia has employed reflexive control through cyber operations to influence decision-making in foreign states, focusing on disinformation campaigns during the 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Reflexive control, a concept rooted in Russian military doctrine, seeks to shape an adversary's perceptions and decision-making by providing carefully crafted information that leads targets to make choices favorable to the initiator. This research argues that while the fundamental objectives of reflexive control have remained consistent, technological advances have significantly expanded Russia's ability to conduct operations in developing cyber domains.

Using qualitative analysis of open-source intelligence, …

Forget-Me-Not: Facilitating Social Vibrancy In Spaces Designed For Alzheimer's Disease, Torilyn Mossner

Honors Theses

The objective of this capstone project is to create a foundation for vibrant community interactions and connections that support those living with Alzheimer’s disease, their loved ones, and the broader members of the community through interior design. This work is relevant because Alzheimer’s disease affects 1 in 9 people over the age of sixty-five worldwide. Without a cure, as people continue to age, there is going to be a constant need for development of care. Additionally, design should go a step further than healthy living and begin to prioritize creating a vibrant life and community integration for those living with …

Emotion Regulation And Autism: A Literature Review, Quinn Bethea

Honors Theses

This comprehensive literature review investigates the increasing research on emotional regulation and autism, as well as the effect they have on each other.

The literature search was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, National Institute of Health, and the Mississippi State Library. The inclusion criteria focused on studies that examined emotion regulation, autism, or the impact of emotion regulation and autism on each other.

The review accomplished several points. First, it defined what autism is, and it defined what emotion regulation is. Second, it examined how autism and emotion regulation, or dysregulation, affect each other. Third, it brought attention …

Radio As War: An Exploration Of Kalamazoo Black Radio In The Vietnam War Era, Amelia Koch

Honors Theses

Kalamazoo, Michigan’s black history runs deep. This thesis aims to trace that black history, and situate it within the realm of black radio as a cultural phenomenon. Rising to its provenance in the mid-1960s, black radio has been, and continues to be, a rallying point for African American communities across the U.S., particularly in Chicago and Detroit. Kalamazoo, a halfway point between these two major cities, has a lack of such stations. Exploring the lack of black radio in Kalamazoo during the 1950s through 70s, this work presents a connection between the existence of black programming and the experience of …

The Intersection Of Discrimination Between People Of Color And The Queer Community, Zaniya M. Howell

Honors Theses

This thesis examines the mental health experiences of Queer People of Color (QPOC) through an intersectional infrastructure, highlighting how intersecting systems of sexuality/gender-based and racial oppression influence psychological outcomes. QPOC experience disproportionate levels of systemic violence, trauma, and chronic stress in comparison to both heterosexual people of color and white LGBTQ+ counterparts, leading to elevated risks of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Prior research often separates race from sexual and gender identity, restricting a thorough understanding of this community’s experiences. Drawing on original survey data and existing literature, this study illustrates the aggravating effects of intersectional discrimination and …

From Home To Campus: How Familial Criminality Shapes Deviant Behavior In College Students, Morgan Boone

Honors Theses

Previous research has established a link between parental criminality and crimes of offspring. Low socioeconomic status has also been established as a risk factor to criminal behavior. Trends show that most individuals who attend college are of a higher socioeconomic status and are therefore at a potentially lower risk of criminal offending. The goal of the present study is to determine whether familial criminality has an impact on the criminality of college students despite the mediating factor of school involvement. Fifty-seven undergraduate students completed a survey on criminality within their family, their individual histories of deviant behavior, and their level …

Surrogacy-Friendly State Law: Criteria For Categorizing State Law By Strength Of Legal Pathways To Gestational Surrogacy, Emma J. Noble

Honors Theses

This paper proposes new criteria for defining U.S. states as surrogacy-friendly. It exclusively considers gestational surrogacy and domestic intended parents. It provides an overview of the surrogacy laws in each state and Washington D.C., and classifies them by the newly proposed criteria. Existing definitions of surrogacy-friendly do not often provide detailed legal distinctions between the states. The proposed criteria consider whether or not a state has express surrogacy laws and if the intended parents’ sexual orientation, marital status, or genetic relationship to the child are limiting factors in their ability to obtain parentage orders. The criteria depend on the legal …

Mississippi Coastal Bacterial Community Response To Lowered Salinty, Jackson C. Sues

Honors Theses

Microbial communities are essential to the function of coastal ecosystems; however, few studies have examined their response to short-term reductions in salinity. This study used a microcosm approach to examine how decreased salinity over five days affected seawater bacterial community composition, diversity, and richness. Microcosms were assigned to three treatments: unmanipulated seawater (control) collected from the Mississippi coast, seawater amended with natural freshwater, and seawater amended with sterilized freshwater. Length of time bacteria spent in the microcosms was found to have the strongest effect on bacterial community composition, while salinity effects were weaker but still statistically significant. All treatments shifted …

Ethnicity, Culture, And The Epidemiology Of Eating Disorders, Rebecca Atwell

Honors Theses

This systematic literature review addresses the research question: How does culture affect eating disorders? It examines the role of ethnicity and culture in shaping the prevalence, symptom presentation, and treatment of eating disorders across diverse populations. Although eating disorders have traditionally been studied in Western, predominantly White populations, growing evidence suggests that cultural norms, ethnic identity, globalization, and exposure to Western ideals significantly influence both the development and expression of disordered eating behaviors. Twenty peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024 were included. These studies were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO and selected …

From Novice To On-Air: Developing A Student Radio Personality At 89.1 Widr Fm, Travis Melson

Honors Theses

This honors thesis explores the full development of my role as a student radio personality at 89.1 WIDR FM, documenting each stage of the process, from the earliest introductory meetings and technical training to the experience of shadowing established shows and launching my own on-air program. The project serves not only as a record of my personal progression through WIDR's broadcasting environment but also as an analysis of the learning curve required to transform from a complete novice into a confident, consistent radio host.

A significant component of this work is my perspective as someone entering the radio space with …

Attend The Tale: Scenic Design For Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street, Andrea Imsland

Honors Theses

I designed the set for Western Michigan University’s 2026 production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street written by Steven Sondheim and directed by Jay Berkow. My thesis advisor was Prof. Dave Nofsinger and my thesis chair member was Dean of the College of Fine Arts Dan Guyette. I began my design process in September of 2025. The show ran from April 10th through April 25th. This was my final scenic design as a Theatre: Design and Technical Production undergraduate student at WMU.

How Social Media Provides Access For Human Traffickers To Victimize Children: A Literature Review With Combative Measures., Ashton Lamb

Honors Theses

This literature review focuses on how human sex traffickers utilize social media to groom children. Social media is utilized by a great number of people around the world, including many children. While social media is intended to be fun and interactive, it does provide new access for dangerous people to reach victims. There is a very real, growing issue online that is not widely known to the public. This hidden danger is known as human trafficking. Human trafficking is defined as the involvement of any force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some labor or commercial sex act (Department of Homeland …