Digital Commons Network^™

Effective Courts Of Last Resort: The Supreme Court’S Limited Docket And The Rise Of The Courts Of Appeals As Final Arbiter On Minors’ First Amendment Rights, Lillian Powers

Honors Theses

This thesis explores how the Supreme Court’s power of selecting its own docket has resulted in fewer cases being addressed annually and its effect on minors’ First Amendment rights. Minors’ First Amendment rights is one of the many niche areas of law that do not receive hearings in front of the Supreme Court. My research shows that the Supreme Court’s neglect of these issues led to Court of Appeals taking on the role of a court of last resort. As precedent from select Supreme Court cases such as Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969), Bethel School District …

Narratives, Neurons And Narcotics: The Neurological Impacts Of Biased Crime Media And How It Disproportionately Impacts Black And Brown Drug Defendants, Jade Celestine

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how crime media and neurological bias shape the experiences of Black and Brown drug defendants in the United States criminal justice system. Drawing on existing research in psychology and neuroscience, this explanation outlines the role of perception and threat detection in the formation of implicit bias while also emphasizing a need to expand the use of neurocriminology to all legal actors. Particular attention is given towards the influence of media portrayals of criminal cases, especially for drug-related offenses and how that impacts the audiences on a neurological level. An analysis of historical factors, such as the War …

Analyzing Proposed Unmanned Aerial System Regulations And Their Impact On Manned Aircraft Operations, Kordell Irish

Honors Theses

The purpose of the thesis is to investigate the current state of the proposed Part 108 regulations and to find possible solutions to the problems faced by Part 108 implementation, with a focus on the interactions between manned and unmanned aircraft. The thesis covers upcoming changes to federal aviation regulations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding unmanned aircraft systems and their integration into the national airspace system. Currently, most unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are regulated under Part 107 of the federal aviation regulation. A brief literature review will provide a background and timeline in the lead-up to the Part …

Space Degradable Pyrotechnic Fastener, Jonathan Baker

Honors Theses

Space debris has become a critical threat to orbital operations, with over 30,000 tracked objects currently circling Earth. Traditional separation charges used in satellite launches contribute significantly to this problem by generating unpredictable shrapnel that can remain in orbit for decades or centuries. This project proposes the design and development of a spacedegradable explosive bolt that exploits the harsh space environment to accelerate material breakdown after use.

The design utilizes advanced polymer materials selected for their susceptibility to degradation from UV radiation — an environmental factor abundant in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Our prototype will be engineered to meet industry-standard …

Students' Preferred Teaching Methods, Hannah Lancaster

Honors Theses

This paper focuses on students’ preferences for teaching and instructional methods in the social studies classroom. From previous literature, it became apparent that students have a variety of unique needs within each classroom, and individual students require different methods to best support effective learning. This study was conducted within an urban high school in Southwest Michigan. Students completed a cross-sectional survey that encouraged them to express their desired teaching and instructional methods within the classroom. Data revealed a shift from standard teacher-focused learning to more student-focused learning to better accommodate students’ learning styles. With survey data focusing on a limited …

Development Of A Grease Resistant Barrier For Food Industry Applications, Mira Marino

Honors Theses

The objective of this project is to develop a grease-resistant barrier coating for paper-based food packaging and to evaluate the economic feasibility of implementing this coating system at an industrial scale. As demand increases, this project focuses on identifying an optimal pigment and binder combination that enhances barrier performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness. The primary goal was to maximize grease and moisture resistance of coated paper while ensuring the process is economically viable and compatible with existing paper mill operations.

The final plant design consists of one continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and three centrifugal pumps integrated into an existing paper …

Investigating The Cost And Efficiency Of Two Chemical Pathways To Produce The Plant-Based Coagulants, Taylor Nixon

Honors Theses

Plant-based coagulants are promising sustainable alternatives for water treatment due to their biodegradability, low toxicity, and reduced risk of secondary pollution. Unlike conventional inorganic coagulants, they generate less sludge and avoid secondary contamination in the environment. This project examines two chemical modification strategies for producing cationic cellulose coagulants. The first involves direct amination of cellulose using CHPTAC, while the second employs periodate-oxidized dialdehyde cellulose, which enables reductive amination through reactive aldehyde groups. These approaches are expected to yield materials with differing charges, surface functionalities, and structural properties that may influence coagulation performance. The study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility …

Glass From The Past: A Chemical And Spatial Analysis Of French Container Glass From Fort St. Joseph, Ian Walraven

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Navigating Screens For Neurodivergent Individuals, Avery Wilson

Honors Theses

As technology becomes more prevalent in everyday life, it is important to consider the implications that this may have for one's mind and well-being. These implications are particularly important for vulnerable populations, such as neurodivergent individuals, who may have unique sensitivities to technology consumption. This paper reviews current literature to provide an overview of the implications of using media on the neurodivergent population, such as individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), who often possess unique brain sensitivities that influence technology consumption.

To begin, the paper examines the changes in brain structure and functioning in children …

The Impact Of Cannabis Use On Pulmonary Function Among Young Adults: A Literature Review, Ava Petersen

Honors Theses

Cannabis is the most used illicit drug among young adults and many of these users perceive cannabis as harmless and do not believe the drug to be addictive. Cannabis is derived from the flower of the hemp plant and contains cannabinoids THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the psychoactive component that interacts with the endocannabinoid system to produce a coveted euphoric state among users. Cannabis can be consumed in an edible or combusted and inhaled via joint, pipe, bong, etc. The purpose of this review is to examine the effects of inhaled cannabis on pulmonary function with a specific …

Math In Melody: How Music Strikes A Chord With Memory And Learning, Aidan V. Waters

Honors Theses

As a result of personal curiosity, this thesis seeks to understand the current status of music integration within educational settings, discussing its importance and potential impact. By considering existing literature, it analyzes music’s effectiveness in K-12 education, particularly within the mathematics classroom. Based on the current body of research, the study identifies three key features of music integration: its effectiveness as an energizer, a memory tool, and a means of creating structure within the classroom. Building on these findings, a proposed ten-day, music-integrated Algebra I unit on functions is presented, applying the research in a variety of ways. The unit …

Causes, Effects, And Solutions Of Wrongful Convictions, Allison B. Gobuzzi

Honors Theses

This study examines the wrongful conviction of Anthony Hinton and other examples that illustrate the causes of wrongful convictions in the United States and the effects that wrongful convictions have on the wrongfully accused and their families. This study uses research from scholarly articles and legal cases to analyze the factors that contribute to wrongful convictions and the impact on the wrongfully accused and their families. The research concludes that wrongful convictions are frequently the result of both evidentiary and procedural issues within the criminal justice system.

Examination Of The Hiring Process: Bias In Selection, Conor Johanson

Honors Theses

Racial discrimination in the hiring process remains a persistent problem despite decades of anti-discrimination legislation and widespread bias-awareness training. The present study examined whether resume quality and candidate race jointly influence hiring evaluations among human resource professionals, a population with formal training in equitable selection practices. Using a 2 × 2 between-subjects design, 129 HR professionals recruited through Prolific were randomly assigned to evaluate a high- or low-quality resume attributed to either a Black or White candidate. Participant evaluations were assessed across warmth-related and competence-related dimensions derived from the Stereotype Content Model, with Aversive Racism Theory guiding predictions about when …

Green And Clean: Case Studies Featuring The Shift Toward Healthier Consumption, Mckay Orwig

Honors Theses

This thesis is composed of eight accounting case studies investigating the impact of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement on corporate operations, and other narratives. Dr. Dickenson assigned and advised the case studies throughout the course of Honors Accountancy 420. During the fall semester, we were assigned several individual case studies that broadened our background knowledge on legislation and the MAHA movement, as well as having the opportunity to hear from professionals from leading firms.  During the spring semester, Dr. Dickenson placed us in groups to research our assigned companies, my group ultimately assigned the international snacking company, Kellanova. …

Analyzing Social Media Content Strategies That Drive Engagement For Independent Hairstylists, Aurora Batts

Honors Theses

This study explores how social media, has changed the way independent hairstylists market themselves and connect with clients. Social media has become a huge tool in the beauty industry, allowing stylists to showcase their work, build their brand, and attract new clients. Because platforms like Instagram act as a digital portfolio, clients are making decisions based on what they see online rather than just location or recommendations.

Due to this shift, it is important to understand which types of content perform well and generate engagement. This study focuses on identifying the specific content characteristics that lead to higher engagement for …

The Laureate - An Undergraduate Literary Journal, Amelia Perleberg

Honors Theses

This thesis reflects on the editorial and publication process of the 24th edition of The Laureate, an undergraduate literary arts journal, during the 2025-2026 academic year. This thesis displays the role of editor-in-chief and examines the responsibilities, challenges, and personal growth that accompanied leading the journal. Through overseeing submissions, editing creative works, coordinating with the Design Center, and organizing the launch event, this thesis explores the collaborative and creative work required to produce a successful publication. The Laureate accepts a wide range of creative works, including poetry, fiction pieces, personal essays, photography, painting, scripts, etc. allowing undergraduate students to …

The Effects Of Solvent Vapor Annealing On Organic Semiconductor Materials, Nicholas Cox

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Growing Healthy Habits: Impacts Of A Youth Community Garden For Children In Rural Mississippi, Olivia G. Degravelle

Honors Theses

This study examines the implementation and outcomes of a Youth Garden Program conducted in Pontotoc, Mississippi. Funded by the Allstate Community Service Project Grant, the Youth Garden was constructed within the previously established Pontotoc Community Garden. The initiative comprised four weekly workshops designed for participants ranging from preschool to adolescence. Each session incorporated hands-on fruit and vegetable (FV) planting or harvesting, an educational lesson, and a complementary craft activity. Children’s FV consumption patterns, nutritional knowledge, and attitudes toward FV were assessed through pre- and post-program surveys. In addition, the photo-elicitation interview method invited participants to take digital photographs of garden …

Evaluating Sand Characteristics And Their Influence On Sea Turtle Nest Incubation Conditions, Thomas Naylor

Honors Theses

The embryonic development of sea turtles is strongly influenced by the environmental factors experienced during incubation within the nest. These environmental factors can influence hatchling sex ratios, body condition, and their success emerging from nests. Adult female sea turtles lay nests across a range of sites throughout the nesting season, resulting in each nest encountering unique abiotic conditions. This study aims to identify how variation in sand characteristics, such as grain size proportions, permeability, and color, influences nest temperature and subsequent hatchling outcomes of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) and Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) from …

An Investigation Into The Student And Faculty Knowledge, Perception, And Usage Of Chatgpt, Isabella Burns

Honors Theses

Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT) has become a significant topic in academia. Professors and university officials have been contemplating an all-out ban on utilizing such tools for undergraduate academic work. Sullivan et al (2023) noted “…student behaviors led some universities to ban the use of ChatGPT…” (p. 32). Instead of teaching students how to leverage ChatGPT as a powerful resource to enhance the learning process, universities have deemed use of ChatGPT unacceptable, equating its use with serious academic dishonesty offenses consistent with plagiarism (Hawdon et al., 2025). Directly copying from ChatGPT can constitute plagiarism and poses a significant issue for college-level studies, …

Exploring Undergraduate Student’S Perceptions Of Agriculture, Cayden J. Barton

Honors Theses

Americans today, both young and old, face issues with agricultural knowledge regarding the food and fiber industry and production agriculture as a whole (Frick et al., 1995). In a society where consumers are separated from production agriculture, public interaction with agriculture is less prevalent and the importance of agriculture is undervalued. A person’s knowledge of agriculture, or agricultural literacy affects the way that they perceive agricultural commodities and the agricultural industry (Specht, McKim, & Rutherford, 2014). Without adequate knowledge of the agricultural industry consumers cannot make well informed decisions about food safety or processing methods. In addition to consumers, government …

Empowering Futures: Inspiring Young Girls In Stem Through Comics, Angel M. Griggs

Honors Theses

Women have historically been underrepresented in STEM fields. In my analysis, I explored how children’s literature representing historical women role models empower young girls to possibly pursue STEM careers. I applied Vekiri’s et. al (2024) research on attracting girls to STEM through interactive video games displaying STEM role models to comic books. In this project, I review academic literature, historical sources, and research articles to develop an educational comic book about historical women in STEM to help support the idea that creative activities and resources displaying role models can be influential to young children, specifically young girls. I focused on …

The Impact Of Sex Education On College Student’S Perceptions Of Sexual Taboos, Noel Gamon

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research is to explore how college students' differing levels of sex education are associated with their views about sexual behavior, particularly behaviors defined as taboo. In comparison to 25 years ago, adolescents are less likely to receive important sex education today; and are unlikely to receive valuable information until after their first sexual experience. Conventionally, the benefits of a sex education program are linked with its ability to lower STI rates, unplanned pregnancies, unwanted behavior, etc. Sexual taboos are sexual practices excluded from the hegemonic heterosexual monogamous relationship model. Presently, society acknowledges a wider range of …

G1p3 Dysregulates Interferon-Stimulated Gene Expression In Er (+) Breast Cancer Cells, Karina Santana

Honors Theses

Even with advances in diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women, with nearly 90% of fatalities linked to drug resistance driven by metastasis and recurrence. G1P3, an anti-apoptotic mitochondrial protein, is upregulated in breast cancer and has been associated with increased metastatic potential and poor prognosis. Recent findings show that G1P3 enhances interactions between Rab5-containing endosomes (RCEs) and mitochondria, and emerging evidence suggests that mitochondria play a critical role in initiating interferon (IFN) responses. Based on this, we hypothesized that G1P3-mediated interactions between RCEs and mitochondria promote interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression in …

A Comparative Study Of Plans For Residential Building Construction In The United States And Mexico: Analysis Of Processes, Systems, And Materials, Juan Hernandez

Honors Theses

Residential building construction is an essential part of a country’s economy and development. Finding ways to improve aspects of residential building construction can greatly impact the performance and sustainability of residential buildings. This study analyzes the plans for residential building construction in the United States and Mexico. The processes, systems, and materials in each country were investigated to form comparisons between the two countries. Journals and articles containing data on residential building construction in each country were used to gather information on each area of study. Factors such as climate, economy, and politics were also considered as they have direct …

Behind The Scenes: An Examination Of The Realities, Misconceptions, And Practices Of Graphic Design, Abby Harris

Honors Theses

Graphic design is an often-misunderstood field of work, generally understood through its outcomes, such as logos, posters, and digital interfaces. However, the extensive creative and strategic processes behind these projects remain largely unseen and unappreciated. While it is not a STEM or medical discipline, graphic design is still a rigorous field in its own right. However, people generally consider a degree in graphic design as easy or a waste of time because they view the arts as hobbies. The public only ever sees the finished visuals, not the labor, thinking, and countless hours of revision behind them. The growing wave …

Exploring The Synthesis, Characterization, And Aggregation Properties Of Perylene Diimide Derivatives, Erica Salinas

Honors Theses

Once widely used for its vivid presence in an array of industrial dyes, perylene-3, 4, 9, 10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA) is a known precursor for perylene diimides (PDIs). These compounds are an alternative for sustainable energy within organic solar cells (OSCs) and for improving organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). PDIs are a great candidate for organic semiconductor applications because of their overall flexibility and low manufacturing cost as an organic photovoltaic. Its extended π-conjugation results in a planar structure promoting strong π- π intermolecular stacking, giving aggregated PDIs high electron mobility, allowing a flow of electrons to move through these stacked …

Nutritional Knowledge Of Collegiate Track Athletes, Haleigh Risner

Honors Theses

There are rising concerns on whether collegiate athletes are being diligent with their nutritional practices. With an increase in RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in sports) cases in athletes, their knowledge about their nutritional needs comes into question. Nutrition has a significant impact on athletic performance and the development in an athlete’s specialty. To assess the current knowledge of athletes, the track athletes of East Texas A&M University were asked to participate in a nutritional assessment to determine their knowledge of nutrition in regard to their sport. It was hypothesized that the majority of athletes surveyed would not possess adequate knowledge …

Assessing Current Telehealth Mobile Applications In The United States: Accessibility, Privacy, And Care Delivery, Rosemary K. Frugé

Honors Theses

Telehealth has improved patient access by reducing barriers to convenient, cost-effective, and quality health care. Telehealth mobile applications allow individuals to remotely access services through smartphone-based platforms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate leading telehealth applications available in the United States, analyzing key factors that influence platform selection, including cost, prescribing and diagnostic capabilities, user feedback, and data privacy practices. Applications were identified through keyword-based searches of major app stores using the term “telehealth,” and each app was systematically evaluated using predefined criteria. Findings highlight variability across platforms in pricing transparency, service offerings, and privacy disclosures, despite generally …

Health Data And Policy Related To Methamphetamine-Use Suicide In Mississippi, Mary C. Drane

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research is to investigate how methamphetamine use in Mississippi, especially in its rural areas, intersects with public health, policy, and suicide outcomes in the state. Mississippi's methamphetamine crisis has evolved significantly, shifting from locally produced drugs to cartel-supplied crystal methamphetamine, while state and federal policies have struggled to keep pace with the scale and complexity of the problem. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, this research analyzed CDC Wonder multiple causes of death data and SAMHSA Treatment Episode Data Set Admissions (TEDS-A) data from 2018 to 2024 alongside four qualitative key informant interviews with stakeholders across …