Digital Commons Network^™

Buyer-Seller Relationships In Rural Belize, Mackenzie K. Albright

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines buyer–seller relationships between small-scale farmers and lead firms in rural Belize, with a focus on how sustainability initiatives affect farmer autonomy and satisfaction. Drawing on firsthand fieldwork conducted during an internship with the Belize Ministry of Agriculture in Dangriga, this study analyzes the Sustainable and Inclusive Belize program and its efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture and environmentally sustainable production practices. While these initiatives aim to improve long-term environmental and economic outcomes, findings suggest that strict oversight, organic requirements, and compliance standards imposed by lead firms—such as large agricultural buyers—can reduce farmers’ decision-making autonomy and overall satisfaction.

Through …

A Program Evaluation Of A Family-Based Healthy Weight Program For Overweight And Obese Children And Their Families, Ashley Heimbouch, Margaret Platel, Kelly Betts

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

This project’s purpose was to complete a program evaluation of the Building Healthy Families (BHF) program to determine its effect on children and their families’ health outcomes. The specific aims of success were 1) an improved perception of health-related quality of life for children and parents and 2) decreased body mass index (BMI) percentiles for age and sex in children from baseline measurements and scores compared to measurements and scores at 3 months and 6 months of program completion. The project was completed in a community setting on the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Western Nebraska campus, and the population …

Enhancing Corporate Prayer Of The Clearwater Church Of Christ, Lyle Hinsdale

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation was designed to enhance corporate prayer in the Clearwater Church of Christ. The dissertation explores the formative role of corporate prayer in congregational life and how intentional engagement with the Psalms can deepen the theological and spiritual practice of prayer within a local church. Corporate prayer can slip into habitual practice with limited theological range or emotional depth. This project investigates whether structured use of the Psalms as a model for prayer can expand the language, theological imagination, and engagement in the prayers of a worshiping community. The study used participatory action research methodology and was conducted within …

Diet Analysis Of The Gulf Pipefish, Syngnathus Scovelli, In Sarasota Bay, Lily Braun

Theses & ETDs

Seagrass beds are critical habitats that support diverse marine life, and food availability within these ecosystems plays a crucial role in the survival and reproductive success of fish species. In Sarasota Bay, several Syngnathids, including three species of pipefish and two species of seahorses, inhabit these seagrass beds. The Gulf pipefish, Syngnathus scovelli, is one of the most common pipefish species. Our monthly census efforts have revealed a female-biased sex ratio in the natural population. Syngnathus pipefish primarily feed on small crustaceans, including amphipods, copepods, and mysid shrimp. This study investigated potential sex differences in feeding habits between male and …

A Tool For Student Well-Being: Gratitude Journaling And Its Interaction With Extraversion, Csenge Sebok

Theses & ETDs

Research suggests that an individual’s well-being may not only be influenced by external circumstances, but also by direction of attention and interpretation of their experiences. Gratitude journaling has been examined as a simple intervention, which may be a tool to improve emotional well-being, as it shifts attention toward the positive aspects of life. In the present study, gratitude journaling was examined whether it contributes to a greater mood improvement, compared to neutral journaling among students. Additionally, whether these effects are reflected in changes in positive affect, negative affect, and perceived stress. Participants (N = 58) were measured for levels of …

The Economic And Strategic Responses To Black Lives Matter In Professional Sports: A Comparative Analysis Of The Nba And Nfl Post-2020, Jackson Dawson

Theses & ETDs

In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement prompted sharply divergent responses from the NBA and NFL. This thesis investigates why the NBA embraced visible activism during its Orlando bubble season while the NFL maintained a restrained “Inspire Change” approach, and assesses the economic consequences of these strategies. Drawing on rational choice and stakeholder theory, the study hypothesizes that fan demographics and revenue models shaped each league’s utility-maximizing decisions. Using a Difference-in-Differences framework on regular-season national telecast viewership from 2016 to 2023, supplemented by qualitative process-tracing of league statements, polls, and sponsor behavior, the analysis compares outcomes before and after 2020. …

From Merchant Poetry To Digital Scholarship: The Influences Of Contemporary Mapping Traditions On La Sfera, Nicholas Pagliocca

Theses & ETDs

No abstract provided.

The Reality Of Aging In Rural Kenya, Kim Van Drunen

Interior Design Capstones

Kenya’s elderly population is growing, but access to professional eldercare is still limited, especially in rural areas. Most retirement homes and care facilities are in urban centers, leaving many rural communities without reliable support for older adults. This capstone project focuses on designing an Outreach Center for Elder Support in rural Kenya to improve access to healthcare, community services, and social activities. The goal of this project is to create a safe, comfortable, and easy-to-use environment for older adults. The design uses human-centered principles with clear layouts, wide circulation paths, accessible restrooms, and comfortable seating. Spaces such as waiting areas, …

Redesigning The Welcome, Lauren Ogrin

Interior Design Capstones

Airports serve as the first and last impression of a city, yet they are often remembered by stress, sensory overload, and a lack of cultural representation. This project explores how storytelling can be intentionally integrated into airport design to improve the overall human experience and create a more meaningful sense of welcome. Through the frameworks of user-centered inquiry, phenomenology, and narrative design, this research examines how materials, spatial sequences, sensory cues, and cultural narratives can influence traveler emotions, cognitive clarity, and feelings of belonging. By understanding how people move through and interpret transitional public spaces, this project proposes design strategies …

Process, Place, And People: A Study Of Contemporary Land Art And Environmental Awareness, Lauren Wright

Landscape Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This capstone investigates how land art can evolve within contemporary environmental, cultural, and educational contexts. The research addresses the issue that much historical land art, while innovative, often lacked ecological accountability, public accessibility, and environmental integration. Through precedent analysis, literature review, and site-based field observation, this study evaluates selected works in the United States and the United Kingdom using a framework focused on site specificity, ecological sensitivity, materiality, construction process, cultural relevance, public engagement, aesthetic value, and longevity. Photographic documentation and annotation were used to translate on-site experiences into comparative analysis. The results reveal that successful contemporary land art prioritizes …

Federal Government Shutdowns And Gateway Communities: Impacts On Businesses, Communities, And Workers’ Perceptions And Attitudes, Dean W. Zakrzewski

Landscape Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study aims to answer a presented gap in the literature on how gateway community workers and businesses are directly impacted by federal government shutdowns. Three gateway communities were selected as case-study communities for this research based on a set list of criteria, including size, proximity to urban centers, geographic context, and the prominence of their associated park. The selected communities are Bar Harbor, Maine; Estes Park, Colorado; and Moab, Utah. Community profiles were drafted for each community to understand them from a contextual level, including the breakdown of their workforce and other general descriptions of their communities. A combinational …

How Can The Endangered Species Act Critical Habitat Designation Process Be Revised To Provide Better Protection For Listed Species Today And Under Future Range Shift Scenarios Due To Climate Change?, Matt Kerber

Mary Ann Bolton Undergraduate Research Award

Humans have interacted with the flora and fauna of Earth in many ways throughout our evolutionary history. Whether that be from a place of fascination, or as a resource to be exploited, humans have relied upon the millions of species that share the Earth with them. These interactions have led humans to both destroy and degrade ecosystems, but also to conserve ecosystems so that they may continue to provide their services and intrinsic value. A major shift in exploitation of wildlife began around the advent of industrialization and the acceleration of technological advancement. The ability and rate at which species …

The Effects Of Avian Influenza On Consumer Egg Prices In The United States, Jacob B. Franklin

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Undergraduate Honors Theses

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) create major challenges to poultry supply chains due to the high mortality rates in flocks, leading to disruptions in production and higher costs for producers. Using quantitative data from Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, USDA, and National Agricultural Statistics Service, this research analyzes changes in egg production, retail prices, and regional variations throughout the United States for the 2022-2025 HPAI event. A time-series regression model was used to control for production costs, seasonal patterns, and regional differences. All of these measures come together to quantify the impact of HPAI outbreaks on consumer …

Optimizing College Food Pantry Locker Systems Through Simulation Techniques, Jacob W. Holmes

Industrial Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food insecurity affects 10.5% of households in the United States. Among those affected, college students are a group with increasing food insecurity. Through novel food pantry order methods, such as locker order systems, some effects of college food insecurity can be alleviated. The Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry (FCFP) at the University of Arkansas implemented a locker system, beginning in the Fall of 2020. There is a lack of investigation into locker management policies for pantries, such as how much time clients should be allowed to pick up orders after they are placed in lockers, how many lockers …

Coaching, Control, And Calories: The Role Of Athletic Culture In Shaping Student-Athlete Nutrition, Cassidy Casey

Theses & ETDs

Past research shows that what college athletes eat is influenced by more than just nutritional science. Food choices are shaped by performance expectations, team culture, and the institutional environments athletes are part of every day. Many athletes prioritize eating in ways that support energy, recovery, and performance, but they also rely on convenience, taste, and routine. While access to sports dietitians has been shown to improve eating habits and recovery, coaches often remain the main source of nutrition guidance. This means that team culture and coaching expectations play a major role in how, and whether, athletes follow formal nutrition advice. …

Prescription Drug Shortages, Eihlan Fitch

Theses & ETDs

Prescription drug shortages represent an ongoing public issue that affects access to essential medications and disrupts the broader healthcare system. The causes are varied and complex, involving production challenges, supply chain limitations, economic pressures, and regulatory constraints. While efforts have been made to manage the problem, shortages continue to pose risks to patient care and system stability. This policy proposal explores a range of possible responses aimed at strengthening supply reliability, encouraging domestic capabilities, and improving coordination across key actors and institutions. Through a combination of strategic planning, regulatory adjustments, financial incentives, and targeted reforms, the goal is to create …

Subjective Stress In Icu Nurses, Jonathan Nix

Theses & ETDs

This study examined perceived stress levels in ICU nurses and compared them to stress levels commonly reported in the general working population. ICU nurses work in high-pressure environments that involve long shifts, critical patient care, repeated exposure to trauma, and high levels of responsibility, all of which can contribute to increased stress. Stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), along with one open-ended question asking participants to describe their biggest source of stress. Demographic variables including age, gender, education level, years in nursing, and hours worked were also analyzed. Results showed that most participants scored in the high …

The Structural Shift In Asset Management: An Industry Analysis Of Etfs Versus Mutual Funds, Leah Massiah

Theses & ETDs

This thesis examines the rapid growth and structural transformation of exchange-traded funds within the United States asset management industry. Since the launch of the first ETF in 1993, ETFs have evolved from a niche financial innovation into one of the most influential investment vehicles in U.S. financial markets, attracting trillions of dollars in assets under management and increasingly competing with traditional mutual funds. The study explores the historical development of ETFs, the structural differences between ETFs and mutual funds, and the competitive dynamics that have contributed to the expansion of ETFs within asset management. The analysis focuses on the economic …

Birth Control, Self-Efficacy, And Perseverance: State-Based Impacts Of Hormonal Contraceptive Use, Nya Jacobson

Theses & ETDs

Hormonal contraceptives (HC) are one of the most widely prescribed medications in the world. Over 300 million people worldwide have used HC at some point during their lives; in the U.S. alone, 64.9% of reproductive-age females currently use some form of HC. Nascent research has implicated the synthetic hormones that make up HC in the possible alteration of many state-based psychological processes. Two psychological factors that may be impacted by HC use – perseverance and self-efficacy – are necessary components of success in every facet of life. This study investigates the possibility of differences in self-efficacy and perseverance between different …

Collage To Wallcovering: A Method To Sustain Memory In Memory Care Facilities, Mikala Sexton

Interior Design Undergraduate Honors Theses

As the aging population continues to grow, dementia and Alzheimer's have become increasingly relevant in healthcare. In the United States, memory care facilities, focusing on medical attention, often lack humane design, leaving the interiors to feel sterile and detached. This study explores collage as a method for developing a systematic approach to interior finishes of memory care facilities, specifically wallcoverings, making design accessible to memory care facilities while supporting the memory function of its residents.

This project utilizes qualitative and image-based methods, along with interviews, to inform the production of a collage and wallcovering. By analyzing pieces from a collage, …

It Takes A Village: Studying The Impact Of Community And Government Involvement On Elementary Schools, Claire Elizabeth Mitchell

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This thesis examines the critical role of community involvement in shaping the success and development of K–12 education in the United States. The study highlights how shifts in societal structure have redefined the purpose and function of education. Central to this transformation is the concept of community, broadly defined as the network of individuals, organizations, and governing bodies that contribute to and sustain educational institutions.

The research explores how both local community engagement and government support influence school performance, student outcomes, and overall educational quality. Drawing on existing literature and case-based evidence, the thesis argues that schools embedded within strong, …

Dominance And Desire: Perceptions Of Dominant And Submissive Traits Among Men And Women, Anna Mahealani Gritzenbach

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Dominant, possessive “alpha male” characters are common across media and often embody traditional masculine norms, which include emotional stoicism, physical strength, and assertiveness. Portrayals such as these reinforce hegemonic masculinity and masculine honor ideology, which position dominance as essential to men’s social and romantic success, and submission as the expectation for women. Previous research has not explored how both dominant and submissive traits are evaluated across genders, and how endorsement of masculine honor ideology vary these perceptions. We examined how men and women perceive dominant and submissive traits in male and female characters across perceived romantic attraction, social attraction, leadership …

Masculinity And Guns: What Is The Big Deal?, Mackenzie D. Sizemore

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Masculinity is perceived internally and by others, often leading those who feel they lack masculinity to compensate for it, especially in a society that often reinforces attributes associated with masculinity. One of the ways to compensate for a lack of masculinity is to own guns. The dominant reason for this avenue is that guns are symbols of power and are wielded by those who have a lot of power, prestige, and knowledge. Previous research has drawn this connection between perceptions of masculinity throughout history and how people display their masculinity by analyzing various surveys, past events of mass shootings and …

Let's Play A Lovegame: How College Hookup Culture Came To Be, How It Functions On A University Campus, And The Greek Organizations That Perpetuate It At Butler University, Ella Gray Tucker

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

“Let’s Play a LoveGame” examines how hookup culture functions, is perpetuated, and impacts students on a college campus. By understanding the historical context of its creation, I analyze the multitude of factors that aided it to evolve into what it is today. Although hookup culture is considered part of the undergraduate “college experience”, it is negatively impacting students' mental well-being and their understanding of romantic relationships. With Butler University as my case study, I have come to find that Greek Organizations within the National Panhellenic Conference and Interfraternity Council hold events that enable hookup culture to permeate Greek row which …

"Respect Is Earned, Not Given": Analyzing Masculine Honor Ideology And Dominance And Prestige-Motivated Outcomes, Norah Rose Schloneger

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Masculine honor ideology is the idea that men act aggressively or violently toward women and others to achieve a masculine reputation. Previous research shows that men higher in masculine honor seek higher status and use prestige (e.g. respect, honor) or dominance (e.g. aggression, force) to achieve it. Using a variation of the prisoner’s dilemma—a game where participants are assigned to another player that they can choose to compete or cooperate with to maximize a point total—we analyzed behavioral outcomes of said motivations for men higher in masculine honor. We predicted that men higher in masculine honor using honor-dominance motivations would …

You've Got It All Wrong: Constructions And Discussions About Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion On Reddit, Hailey I. Palomo

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Within the context of a particularly polarized time-period in the U.S., this project aims to better understand the public sphere’s ability to converse, debate, and rationalize beliefs in online discussion spaces that are designed to invite opposing viewpoints. Epistemic structures, feedback loops, and a growing animosity toward one’s political opponents have crafted an environment in which right-wing and left-wing individuals have developed incompatible constructions of reality, thus eliminating the possibility of compromise. As the public sphere attempts to engage in their civic duty to debate and come to a collective agreement, the hindering effects of polarization are visible though online …

Weathered, Haylee A. Dyess

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Weathered focuses on themes of change, accumulation, time, and acceptance. Each artwork holds layers of information and experiences that form a unique narrative for all its viewers. The construction of each piece is a symbol of the physical ability it takes to create each painting. After my mobility was hindered due to my medical conditions, a new appreciation for physical health and the world I live in was gained. Striving to pack this sense of appreciation into my work, my method became a way for me to cope with my illness and to enjoy being creative, freely.

My art is …

Environmental Sustainability Assessment Of Field Phosphate Monitoring Methods For Creeks, Quintino Medi

All Theses

Creeks serve as conduits for water, nutrients, and contaminants to larger water bodies such as rivers and lakes, and their health is a key indicator of overall watershed water quality condition. Unlike rivers, creeks are under-monitored due to their small size, hydrological variability, and limited accessibility. Many technologies exist for monitoring phosphorus in surface waters. Technologies may be classified into two general categories: i) proxy real-time sensors, which record generic water quality parameters, and ii) chemical reagent-based assays, which quantify soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in batch samples. There is a lack of studies that compare the features and benefits of …

Denisovan Introgression And Selection At Cntnap2 In Ancient And Modern American Populations, Matthew Barker

All Theses

The peopling of the Americas created new opportunities for genetic adaptation as ancient populations encountered novel environments across North and South America. Previous research has shown that segments of Indigenous American ancestry contain elevated proportions of Denisovan alleles. The gene CNTNAP2, which is involved in brain development and neuronal function, contains a Denisovan-derived haplotype that represents a candidate locus for adaptive introgression in admixed American populations. A Denisovan-derived core haplotype approximately 55 kb in length was identified within intron 13 of CNTNAP2. This haplotype is primarily found in admixed American populations and occurs rarely outside the Americas, and …

Organizational Visibility In The Nonprofit Sector: Perspectives Of Communication Professionals, Theophilus Femi Alawonde

All Theses

Nonprofit organizations need to manage relationships with their stakeholders and audiences for varying reasons, one of which is the desire to stay visible. Given the peculiarities of the nonprofit sector, this study sought to understand how visibility is conceptualized in practice, and how nonprofit professionals work towards optimizing and evaluating visibility efforts, given organizational and sectoral constraints.

Drawing on Structuration Theory’s duality of structure framework, the study examined the structural constraints that shape visibility in the nonprofit sector, and extends the literature by examining the role of agency in enacting visibility among selected nonprofit organizations in the United States.