Digital Commons Network^™

Two Wrestlers: An Unrealized Herculean Pendant To Michelangelo’S David, Theodore Mayberry

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Following the completion of Michelangelo’s David 1504, Gonfalonier Piero Soderini presented the emerging Florentine artist with a proposal for a second statue on behalf of Florence’s government: a statue of Hercules to stand alongside the David at the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio. Michelangelo readily accepted, however the commission never came to be; what remains of Michelangelo’s vision for the Herculean pendant now resides in the Casa Buonarroti Museum of Florence: a rough terracotta model of Hercules and Cacus. Upon review of the scholarship documenting Michelangelo’s unrealized Hercules as well as his David, an intriguing pattern can be observed …

Who Feeds On Whom? Identifying Ticks Feeding On Mammal, Brenna G. Albright, Christina Espada, Mykenna Zettle, Abbey Jones, David T. Gauthier, Holly Gaff

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Study of tick-host association is critical to understanding host-pathogen ecology. Collection of ticks from mammalian hosts is difficult because of permitting, cost, and time considerations, particularly for medium and large mammals. The ODU Tick Research Team has been collecting ticks from mammals since 2010 using a combination of serendipitous sampling from roadkill and donations from veterinarians, hunters, and wildlife rehabilitators. In this work, we quantify the association between Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes keiransi and various mammalian hosts in Virginia. Ixodes scapularis (deer tick or blacklegged tick) is the primary vector of the Lyme disease bacterium (Borrelia burgdorferi s.s.) in …

Take The Guesswork Out Of Your Small Structures!, Rob Coop, Jason Peters

Purdue Road School

Your small structures are valuable assets, which is why having real-time access to your inventory is critical. The presentation will provide case studies on a web-based tool, demonstrating how easy it is to track maintenance of small structures, record deficiencies and safety concerns, evaluate replacement priorities, and generate reports. This information is especially useful for budgeting and allocating funds through a fiscal body.

Small Towns, Big Problems?, Meghan Hinkle, Emily Chen, Nicholas Parsons

Purdue Road School

Small-town projects can be incredibly rewarding, offering visible, immediate impacts for the community. However, they often come with unique design and environmental challenges. This presentation will explore transportation projects across small towns in Indiana and share key lessons learned to help you avoid common pitfalls on your next small-town project.

Urban Streets That Enhance Quality Of Life, Shan Gunawardena

Purdue Road School

While the design of urban streets is important to move traffic safely and efficiently, their impacts to our urban spaces is critical on how these roadways are designed. This presentation will discuss the planning and design of urban streets that improve quality of life and increase property values for all adjacent land uses by evaluating design features such as target speeds, lane widths, lateral clearances and introducing landscaping, green infrastructure and public art.

Making Stem Sexy: Solving Civil Engineering’S Workforce Challenges, Tim Anheuser, Dan Mccoy, Patrick Zaharako, Stephanie Wagner

Purdue Road School

A cultural change is necessary to address engineering’s primary workforce challenge: Fewer students are entering the profession as aging workforce is rapidly leaving, and 40% of STEM students switch majors or do not finish. This panel will include energetic discussions and solicit audience feedback with a focus on attracting new talent to the profession through Mentorship, developing Next Generation Leaders, and expanding STEM Curriculum to include New Technology.

Listening To Your Community: Understanding What Success Means, Kody Leach, Ben Lipps, Aaron Smith

Purdue Road School

How do residents truly feel about their community? In this presentation, leaders will explore the factors that shape quality of life and community identity from public spaces to safety and opportunity. By examining how people rate their own hometowns, participants will uncover insights into what drives satisfaction and engagement. The discussion will focus on how understanding community perceptions can guide better planning, stronger partnerships, and a shared vision for improvement.

Graduate Student Supervision And Artificial Intelligence: Findings From Academic Faculty Interviews Across Disciplines, Kari D. Weaver, Nadine Fladd

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

There is widespread discussion in higher education about the potential implications of GenAI for research and writing tasks (George, 2023). Many graduate students are under intense pressure to finish their degree milestones in a timely manner, and these rapidly evolving technologies offer the potential to optimize and automate much of the research and writing process. But the ethical, developmental, and career implications of graduate students – both masters’ and doctoral – using these technologies requires particularly careful consideration, as these students are simultaneously learners, scholars, and, sometimes, educators. Although emerging research about GenAI use in higher education has examined the …

Lessons Learned: Indiana’S First Hybrid Intersection, Nicole Minton, Emily Sprinkle, Jeff Whitaker, Tyler Price

Purdue Road School

This session will highlight Indiana’s first hybrid innovative intersection at TheLloyd4U and Stockwell Avenue, merging a Displaced Left Turn and Boulevard Left Turn. We will share lessons learned from design and implementation, including how collaboration and innovation shaped this unique solution to traffic challenges. A before-and-after perspective will offer practical takeaways for future intersection projects.

Public Speaking For Engineers And Public Officials: Revamped, Tim Jensen

Purdue Road School

The presentation will cover some key do’s and don’ts when presenting topics and ideas to the public as well as local councils or commissions. Learn how to be confident, tell stories, and engage an audience.

Navigating Curb Ramps: Public Right-Of-Way Accessibility Guidelines,Indot, And Local Preferences, Kendall Knoke, Neil Kopper, Joe Streeter

Purdue Road School

Curb ramps: the more you know, the less you know. In this presentation, dig into the nitty gritty of curb ramp design including how to comply with federal law, how to navigate INDOT’s additional requirements, and how to incorporate local preferences. We will share lessons learned and the City of Bloomington’s local curb ramp preferences so you can know every ramp built in your community is both fully compliant with the law and optimally designed for the end user.

Building A Vitalizing Team Culture, Iris Bull, Andrew Cibor

Purdue Road School

Leaders in the public sector face unique challenges in the recruitment and retainage of productive employees. Administrative staff from the City of Bloomington Engineering Department present an analysis of the strategies they employ to shape a high performing team. They examine mutable and designed aspects of their processes for advertising, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and exit interviewing. Session participants will be provided tested strategies for stimulating professional growth, fostering intradepartmental collaboration, and building resilient culture.

The New 11th Edition Of The Indiana Mutcd, Joseph Bruno, David Boruff

Purdue Road School

The updated 11th edition of the Indiana MUTCD released in January of 2026 has many significant changes from the 2011 edition. This presentation provides an overview of the changes from the previous edition and significant variations between the federal MUTCD and the Indiana MUTCD.

Still Going Strong: 15 Years Of Dissertation Camp At The Hesburgh Libraries, Monica Moore

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

This presentation will provide an overview of a long-running graduate student writing camp dedicated to helping dissertating graduate students make significant progress in their writing goals. Hosted by Hesburgh Libraries at the University of Notre Dame and run in partnership with the University Writing Center, Dissertation Camp is now in its 15th year. The overview will include the history of this graduate student service over these past 15 years, highlighting its growth and various adaptations to organizational changes. Participants will gain knowledge of the practical requirements to consider when thinking about implementing a similar service, and they will also learn …

Documenting For Success: A Case Study Of A Graduate Writing Retreat, Elliott Rose, Denise Wetzel, Sara C. Kern, Katie O'Hara-Krebs, Laurin Davis, Salah Seoudi, Carmen Cole

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Graduate students often find themselves balancing the demands of research and writing while managing complex academic and personal needs. Writing retreats provide an intentional space for graduate students to focus on their academic goals while supporting community-building, institutional belonging, and a welcoming environment. This proposal outlines a model for academic librarians and staff to plan and implement an effective graduate writing retreat designed to support graduate student academic activities through intentional collaboration and documentation.

Penn State University’s (PSU) Graduate Student Writing Retreat started as an event housed within the University Library’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) department. The retreat …

We’Re Building A Roundabout For Just $1 Million?!??!, Jason Taylor, David Reamer, Clancy Sturgeon Mallott

Purdue Road School

This presentation will highlight an INDOT case study on converting a high-speed, signalized rural intersection at SR 45/SR 445 to a compact roundabout that leverages the existing pavement structure and shoulder capacity to minimize new work and maintenance needs. The design limits footprint growth, avoids new right of way, and targets safer operations with speed-management features, including a proposed reduction of the posted speed. We will share geometry, traffic, and maintenance of traffic considerations as well as development lessons from district and central-office coordination for constructible, low-cost safety improvements.

Sr 56 Emergency Slide Repair, Michael Flanagan, Bob Tally, Joey Franzino, Meghan Hinkle, Justin Anderson

Purdue Road School

This presentation will provide an overview of the design, emergency procurement, and construction of the SR 56 Slide Repair outside of Madison. Despite being planned for the November 2025 letting, this 300-foot-long slide site adjacent to the Ohio River was successfully repaired. In March 2025, slide movement accelerated and SR 56 was closed. The emergency construction contract utilized Stage 3 plans to procure a design-build soil nail wall. We will also discuss how environmental and permit documents were updated for the 600-foot-long repair.

Closing The Loop: How Public Comments Shape Projects, Summer Elmore, Marie Spitler, Andrea Langille, Matt Lee, Joann Wooldridge

Purdue Road School

Have you often heard from members of the public that nothing they say matters? This presentation will focus on how the project owner and designer collaborate to actively address concerns from the public. We will discuss several recent transportation project examples where extensive public participation was sought, evaluated, and utilized. Panelists will demonstrate how to prepare successfully for public involvement and incorporate feedback into final project plans.

History Of The Interstate System In Indiana, Steven Wuertz

Purdue Road School

A brief history of the Interstate System in Indiana and across the Nation— 1956–2026: 70 years of the Interstate System

The Academic Research And Writing Camp: Collaborating On An Intensive Thesis Workshop For Graduate Students, Stephanie Crowe, Sam Nesbitt Zelick

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Academic libraries at master’s and PhD-granting institutions frequently end up fielding questions about thesis and dissertations that we are often missing context to answer thoroughly. These sorts of questions can be more frequent at institutions such as ours, which is a relatively new high-research activity (“R2”) campus that is still in the process of developing supports for graduate-level research.

Having seen this need in our own context, the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) began a semesterly Academic Research and Writing Camp workshop in Spring 2025 as a partnership between UNCW Library, the University Learning Center, and the Graduate School. …

Building Belonging: The Library Supporting A Hub For Graduate Research, Elizabeth Dawson, Genova Boyd, Drake Jesse

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Three librarians are working to create the ideal library space for graduate students to achieve their academic goals and connect with other grad students. The Graduate Research Support Hub (GRSH) at UAF Rasmuson Library started with an inspired idea and an examination of how other universities support graduate student research. We wanted to provide a flexible space to meet the distinctive needs of graduate students as they prepare for conference presentations, thesis work, publication, and dissertation defense and serve as a specialized area that is dedicated to graduate students. We surveyed graduate students from a variety of disciplines on campus, …

An Innovative Road Design For A Storm Water Project, Brian Carpenter, Tucker Born, Joe Streeter

Purdue Road School

Indianapolis DPW has started construction on major drainage improvements in one of its oldest neighborhoods, Fountain Square. Building a 66” storm sewer main along Shelby Street from I-65 into the heart of Fountain Square created design opportunities beyond accommodating the 10-year storm. This session will explore the innovative road design being incorporated into the reconstructed Shelby Street, including an inverted crown, bioretention areas, and cycle track safety improvements.

Us 20.1 In Amish Community Corridor, Elkhart County, Jen Goins, Mike Koch, Mike Wigger

Purdue Road School

This presentation highlights a case study that covers a 4-mile rural road reconstruction from two to five lanes through poor soils, wetlands, and an Amish community. With 100+ driveways, endangered species, and limited drainage, the project required creative solutions to balance environmental, cultural, and engineering challenges.

You Want To Build What In The River?, Scott Schnell, Chad Hurm, Craig Knies

Purdue Road School

This presentation will highlight the construction of a toe-wood shelf built in the Patoka River in Jasper. Topics will include a brief history of local settings, issues to resolve, decisions to construct toe-wood shelf, design and construction of the toe-wood shelf, regulatory permitting, and a status update on project performance.

From Boomers To Zoomers: Closing The Communication Gap, Cassy Bajek, Mindy Peterson

Purdue Road School

Effective communications help pave the way for success inside (and outside) the workplace. What we say and how we say it matters. Understanding generational communication can make a real difference in reducing misunderstandings and improving collaboration. This short crash course in understanding Boomers to Zoomers can help improve teamwork, productivity, morale, and the work being produced. Improve your communication and improve your relationships!

Iconic Henry Street Bridge In Indianapolis, Marshall Lachecki, Keith Echternach, Mary Appel

Purdue Road School

The iconic new Henry Street bridge over the White River in Indianapolis is a connection to the west side of downtown Indy.  From the challenging hydraulics requirements to the bridge concepts, design, procurement and through construction and archaeology work, the City has worked with many stakeholders and the public to make this new crossing a success.  This presentation will focus on design elements of the bridge while touching upon other project elements.

Improvements In Waterborne Traffic Paint For Indiana, Joseph Bruno, Andrew Blackburn

Purdue Road School

INDOT has updated its specification for waterborne traffic paints that results in improved durability and the ability to apply traffic paint in colder weather. This presentation provides background on INDOT's waterborne traffic paint specification, a summary of the road trials that INDOT conducted to evaluate different paint specifications, future developments for waterborne traffic paint, and a maintenance perspective on INDOT painting operations.

Teaching Evidence-Based Practice In Social Work: Practical Instructional Design Approaches For Graduate Students, Nicholas D. Bambach

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Across the social and health sciences, evidence-based practice (EBP) serves as a cornerstone of professional education and links research-based knowledge to real-world decision-making. Students are expected to integrate empirical findings with client needs, ethical considerations, and professional best practices. Yet many graduate students struggle to translate theoretical concepts into applied practice. Academic librarians, particularly those serving as subject liaisons and specialists, are well positioned to partner with social work faculty to design scaffolded instructional experiences that integrate research literacy with social work’s ethical and humanistic frameworks. Through librarian–faculty partnerships, librarians can help students critically engage with research evidence while honoring …

Prioritizing Municipal Pavements With Data, Mark St. John, Jack Sinton, Peter Flynn

Purdue Road School

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works has developed a new data-driven approach to prioritize pavement resurfacing needs in Indianapolis. The approach considers pavement condition, traffic, citizen feedback, and safety, and it relies on both real-world and modeled data. This presentation will outline how the scoring process was developed, what these scores tell us, and how we can use them for real-world decision-making.

Targeting Speed In Design: A Safe System Approach, Kevin Mckeel

Purdue Road School

To achieve a truly Safe System and eliminate severe crash outcomes on public roadways, transportation agencies must systematically manage the transfer of kinetic energy. Case studies from Hillsborough County, Florida, explore how incorporating the Safe Speed element of the Safe System Approach assists in delivery of context-sensitive vehicle speeds, a key factor in reducing the kinetic energy in collisions. Attendees will learn practical strategies for identifying and achieving safe target and design speeds.