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2016 Ursinus College Commencement Program, Ursinus College

Ursinus College Commencement Programs

This Ursinus College Commencement program from 2016 contains the list of speakers and order of events for the day.

2016 Commencement Program, Whittier College

Commencement Programs

Whittier College's One Hundred Thirteenth Commencement, May 13, 2016

Commencement Address: Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator United States Small Business Administration

A Nature Adventure Chapter Book For Early Readers And How It Can Influence Children's Interest In And Desire To Explore The Natural World, Keith Marshall

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

With the increase in screen-time, children are spending less and less time outside in nature. Many studies are finding significant negative impacts upon their mental, physical and emotional well-being. The author attempted to develop an age-appropriate fictional story based upon accurate and appropriate nature and science lessons. The book, The Adventurers…Journey to the Crooked Forest was created to test if children would be more interested in going outside in nature as well as if the book could increase children’s knowledge of nature and science topics through storytelling. The effectiveness of the book was tested on fifty 1st -3 rd grade …

Benefits Provided To American Indian Youth Through Gidaakiimanaaniwigamig Stem Camps, Kyra Jo Paitrick

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

American Indian youth face many adversities. Suicide rates are among the highest in the country. High school graduation rates are the lowest in the country. Many American Indian youth grow up in foster care and some find themselves in juvenile detention centers or gangs. Furthermore, tribal communities are experiencing a shortage of American Indians in the workforce who are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to fill essential positions that sustain the natural resources that are important to the tribe. There are many efforts in Indian Country to be proactive with American Indian youth, providing them with supports …

The Firece Green Fire: Vol. 6 Issue 26, Wofford College Environmental Studies Program

The Fierce Green Fire

No abstract provided.

Giving Trees: Protecting Our Urban Forest, Catherine C. Laperche

Student Theses 2015-Present

Over 80% of Americans live in urban areas and that percentage is expected to rise in the coming years. As young people migrate toward cities and the global population rises it is estimated that over 6 billion people will live in urban areas by 2045. The city of the future will not only have to face this population pressure but will also have to deal with rising sea levels, unpredictable weather patterns, increasing energy costs, rising temperatures, and decreasing air quality. Cities that will thrive in this unfavorable future must have strategic plans that will address and alleviate these crucial …

Climate Of Fear: How The Most Privileged Voices In America Have Made Climate Change Denial Mainstream, Duncan B. Magidson

Student Theses 2015-Present

Climate change is a serious threat to the continued existence of human civilization. Despite this, the United States has yet to pass meaningful legislation to cub greenhouse gas emissions. Although tackling environmental issues once had a broad bipartisan support, the issue of climate change has driven a wedge between Democratic and Republican voters and politicians. Consequently, the United States finds itself deadlocked in the political sphere, unable to come together on any real strategies to adapt to the realities of a changing world. The driving force behind the lack of American action on climate change is the persistence of denial. …

Solar Panels: Lighting Our Future Path, Charles M. Woessner

Student Theses 2015-Present

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable energy resources accounted for 13% of electricity generation in 2015. This figure is appallingly low, and needs to be raised in order to combat the effects of climate change. This thesis discusses the problems within America’s current model of electricity production, and what can be done to update our inefficient model into one that is much more efficient and environmentally friendly. Using data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, scholarly independent research, and economic projections, this thesis identifies the reasons behind the failure of the United States Government in not moving away …

Utilizing The Next Generation Science Standards As A Framework To Create A Climate Change Curriculum, Jenna Totz

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this project was, how can the Next Generation Science Standards be utilized as a framework to create a climate change curriculum? It documents the creation of the middle school climate change curriculum, Next Generation Climate. The curriculum integrates experiential education, argumentation, and modeling all using the most current climate change science. This curriculum was created out of the need for more resources that aligned with the NGSS and to provide educators with the tools to correctly provide climate literacy to their students. The author documents the details of writing the curriculum and uses research literature …

Climate And Crisis: Environmental Degradation And Humanitarian Disaster In Darfur, Talia Macauley, Environmental Studies

Student Theses 2015-Present

As one of the largest humanitarian conflicts in the world, the situation in Darfur, Sudan continues to be characterized by a growing ethnically driven conflict, by a persistent number of displaced persons, and most importantly—at least for the sake of this thesis—by a widespread and significant number of environmental issues. While the former two characteristics seem to be at the forefront of humanitarian assistance programs, the latter is severely lacking in both acknowledgement and incorporation by the aid sector. In an effort to make apparent the need to incorporate environmental issues into humanitarian projects, this thesis uses the United Nations …

Professionals Reflect On The Under Representation Of Visitors Of Color In Wilderness Areas, Jessica Iris Ostrov

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to capture the perspectives of five wilderness area staff as they reflect on the scarcity of visitors of color to their places of employment. Qualitative interviews were conducted to learn the viewpoints of the participants. Findings suggest that the racialized history of the United States and the framework of inequity in the formation of park systems encouraged the subsequent development of urban identities that have resulted in cultural traits separating many people of color from all peoples' roots in nature. In addition, contemporary barriers due to the opportunity gap for communities of color create …

Chapman University 2016 Environmental Audit: Residence Life Dining Services Equipment, Alexandra Fw Sidun, Devon T. Bloss

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Chapman University accommodates over 1700 student meal plans per day through the on-campus dining services provided by Sodexo Restaurant Services. The commercial-grade kitchens found in the Randall Dining Commons (RDC) of Sandhu Conference Center are frequently used to prepare food for students for every meal, seven days a week. The RDC kitchen facility has staff working around the clock and high consumption electrical, water, and gas appliances constantly running to parallel the high demand. The frequent use of commercial kitchen appliances results in an enormous consumption of energy and water resources leading to comparably high utility bills. Measuring the energy …

When Meaningful Writing Reflects Vincentian Values, Michele Eodice, Anne Ellen Geller, Neal Lerner

Journal of Vincentian Social Action

In The Meaningful Writing Project – our study of over 700 seniors at three universities – students describe how education values are embodied in writing projects in and out of school. In brief, our results show that students find meaning when they are invited to tap into the power of personal connection, see what they are writing as applicable and relevant to the real world, imagine their future selves, immerse themselves in what they are thinking and writing about, and experience research for learning. In many cases, the experiences students reported are aligned with Vincentian values for higher education, namely …

Bioswales For Stormwater Remediation And Infiltration: Assessing Regulatory Climate And Quantifying Filtration Capacity Of A Claremont Bioswale, Skyler Lewis, Boyu Liu, Paul Picciano, Liana Solis, Char Miller

Environmental Analysis Program Senior Projects

Watershed management is critical in ensuring a sustainable water supply. This project is designed to assess the impact of bioswales in the context of Southern California’s climate. The patterns of droughts and floods make these green infrastructure appealing as they offer potential to boost water quality and regenerate local aquifers, while reducing the area of impermeable surfaces in our urban landscape. As bioswales have not been commonly incorporated into infrastructure development, our project focuses on a relatively new bioswale, added in 2012 and located on Pomona College’s campus, to serve as our case study in determining the viability of bioswales …

Determining The Most Efficient Type Of Growth Light For An Aquaponics System Using Yellow Lantern Chilies (Capsicum Chinense), Travis Mceachern

Undergraduate Theses

Abstract

Aquaponics, a type of urban agriculture, shows potential to produce large amounts of food with little water and land requirements. Thus, aquaponics could help address the issue of feeding the growing worldwide population. However, multiple challenges, both technical and economical, are associated with aquaponics, making large-scale implementation of these systems difficult – these systems can require tremendous amounts of energy. This study sought to determine the most efficient types grow lights in aquaponics systems by comparing the growth rates of yellow lantern chilies (Capsicum chinense) when grown under four different types of growth lights: light-emitting diode (LED), …

In-Stream Leaf Decomposition As An Indicator Of Marcellus Shale Impairment Across A Land Use Gradient, Jordan Alan Barton

Master’s Theses

Rapid development of hydrofracking, particularly in the Marcellus Shale region, has greatly outpaced ecological research assessing potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Increased sedimentation and contamination of streams from unconventional natural gas (UNG) activity could affect stream biota, resulting in altered rates of in-stream leaf decomposition. We deployed leaf packs in seven sites representing a range of UNG activity among different land uses including forest, agriculture, and development. In addition, physical and chemical variables were measured. Summer breakdown rates for all sites, mesh sizes, and leaf species were higher in the presence of UNG activity. Fall breakdown rates demonstrated no consistent …

Students To Intern In Asia, Thanks To Freeman Foundation Grant, University Communications

News and Events (Discontinued Series)

No abstract provided.

Ua12/2/1 Graduation Edition, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Special commencement edition of the College Heights Herald.

The Statesman, V. 59, I. 28, Stony Brook University

Stony Brook Statesman-Sucolian

v. 59;i. 28

Visser V. Auto Alley, Llc Appellant's Brief Dckt. 43432

Idaho Supreme Court Records & Briefs, All

No abstract provided.

Illinois Wesleyan Announces Candidates For Graduation 2016, University Communications

News and Events (Discontinued Series)

No abstract provided.

Using Residential Location To Assess The Environmental Value-Action Gap Of Students At James Madison University, Emma Rose Martin

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This study focuses on the environmental Value-Action Gap of students at James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia. This gap occurs when a person has pro-environmental beliefs but does not have congruent actions. Often, there are other factors apart from a person’s values that influence his/her willingness to participate in eco-friendly behavior (Howell 2013). For this study, the factor of influence being addressed is location. When students live on-campus at JMU they are surrounded by ‘green’ initiatives. Understanding the diffusion of environmental behavior from on-campus living to off-campus living is important because the majority of a JMU student’s residency is …

A Comparison Of Direct Instruction And Experiential Learning Techniques To Assess Agricultural Knowledge And Agricultural Literacy Gains In Private School Students, Timothy Bradford Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The United States has shifted from a once agrarian, to a predominantly urban society (Riedel, 2006). Currently, less than 2% of the U.S. population live on farms. Coupled with urbanization, this has contributed to the decline of an agriculturally literate population (EPA, 2013; Kovar & Ball, 2013). One strategy to alter the public’s perception of agriculture and increase agricultural literacy is implementing an educational environment that promotes agricultural activities via experience (Blair, 2009). Experiential learning has been championed by prominent educational theorists John Dewey and David Kolb. Experiential learning is conceptualized as a process where relevant experiences are the foundation …

Reducing The Stem Gender Achievement Gap: Investigating Factors Influencing Female Students’ Major Choices, Shiyu Song

Master's Theses

Taking the first step to unveil female’s underrepresentation in STEM, this study adopts a mixed method design to explores possible factors that influence female college students’ choices to stay in or leave STEM. Undergraduates at University of Connecticut (N=386) completed an online questionnaire and female students who had either left (N=5) or were staying in STEM fields (N=7) were further selected to participate in the interview.

Results from the quantitative analysis showed that female students’ level of stigma consciousness is a significant predictor of their choice to stay in or leave STEM. Specifically, females who are more vulnerable to gender …

Examining The Effects Of Urbanization On Soil Characteristics In Portland, Oregon's Forest Park, Wes L. Hanson

Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement

Studies by Dr. Nancy Broshot in Forest Park, an urban forest in Portland, Oregon, have shown high tree mortality and low concomitant recruitment. Lichen surveys conducted in 2013 revealed a shift in the lichen community to one typified by nitrogen-tolerant and nitrogen-thriving species. To ascertain if nitrogenous air pollution could be a cause of low recruitment, soil samples were collected from 32 previously established study sites in Forest Park and at 3 control sites established in 2014 in the Mount Hood National Forest, a rural forest in the Clackamas River Basin. At each site, the soil O horizon depth was …

Wave And Tidal Energy In New York: Sustainable Hydroelectricity For The Grid, Lucas Basil Romanowsky

Student Theses 2015-Present

As humanity continues to exceed the ecological carrying capacity of the earth in its use of nonrenewable energy sources, it is imperative to find and shift to alternative renewable energy sources that can sustain human civilization. The ocean based phenomenon of tides, current, and waves are a way in which that source of energy can be obtained and broadened for human consumption. Oceanic energy can serve not only as a means to provide cleaner energy, but also improve the economy and the land based environment. The natural sciences and social sciences are examined within the quantitative data present. The natural …

Service After Being The Served, Nicholas Daly

The International Undergraduate Journal For Service-Learning, Leadership, and Social Change

No abstract provided.

Mindless Meat: An Exploration Of Meat’S Role In Environmental Degradation And World Hunger, Environmental Studies, Camille A. Danielich

Student Theses 2015-Present

Consider the humble hamburger. From start to finish, a pound of beef represents about a gallon of gasoline used, 13 pounds of feed, and over 2,400 gallons of water. This paper focuses on problems such as environmental degradation and world hunger that are exacerbated by heightened global demand and production of meat. Research centers around reports by the Committee on World Food Security, as well as organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The paper utilizes three disciplines while addressing the problem: (1) the historical origins of industrial beef production, (2) …

The Firece Green Fire: Vol. 6 Issue 25, Wofford College Environmental Studies Program

The Fierce Green Fire

No abstract provided.

Contesting “Obligation”: Memory, Morality, And The (Re)Construction Of Divestment Narratives, Christina Quint

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Leaders in the medical field representing organizations abroad such as the British Medical Association (BMA) and MedAct have called for health care organizations to divest from fossil fuels, on the grounds that it is hypocritical for health care leaders to take the Hippocratic Oath and be implicated in the health impacts for which the burning of fossil fuels is responsible. The emerging discourse highlighting the imperative to divest draws parallels to the health care sector’s leadership in divesting from tobacco in the 1990s on the grounds of its health implications. Even before the current fossil fuel divestment movement and the …