Digital Commons Network^™

Comparative Risk Metrics For U.S. Commercial Aviation, Mihhail Berezovski

BCAAS Reports

No abstract provided.

The Cultivating Influences Of Mass Media: Portrayals Of Female Athletes In The Wnba, Reece Wassink

Senior Seminars and Capstones

The differences in how male and female athletes are represented in the media are a significant topic of scholarly interest for decades. My goals are to better understand how female athletes are positioned within the media landscape and how such portrayals may cultivate public perceptions of their athletic performance, because the sports community is powerful, influential, and historically dominated by masculine identities. This study extends the research conversation by examining the portrayal and coverage of female athletes on accounts/posts dedicated to women’s sports, especially the WNBA. This research is conducted through the observation and qualitative systematic content analysis of selected …

Why Is Living Still A B*Tch A Hundred Years Later? Finding Cultural Meaning In Adaptations Of Spring Awakening, Leah Marcil

Theses & ETDs

Inspired by my unique experience working on the musical Spring Awakening by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, this thesis asks the question: what type of cultural meanings do adaptations of the story of Spring Awakening create and transmit? In order to answer this question I first investigate the cultural context of Frühlings Erwachen , the original play by Frank Wedekind the musical is adapted from, in Chapter One. Chapter One also allows me to discuss translation as a form of adaptation by analyzing different English versions of the play. Chapter Two focuses on the debut Broadway production of Spring Awakening …

Shooting For The Stars: Stem Outreach Strategies Between 2nd And 7th Grade, Paige Miller

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Engineering and planetary science outreach programs are increasingly important as industries and research organizations face growing demand for STEM professionals. Despite the importance of these fields, many students receive little exposure to engineering careers during their early educational experiences. This honors thesis examines the effectiveness of interactive STEM outreach presentations designed for elementary and middle school students. Specifically, this study evaluates outreach activities centered on chemical engineering applications and the NASA M2M CO₂ regeneration project for Martian environments.

Two student age groups participated in this study: 2nd grade students at Butterfield Elementary School and 7th grade students at Woodland Junior …

The Limits Of Democratic Representation: Institutional Constraints And The Failure To Reflect Public Will In The Case Of Congressional Term Limits, Kian Mcwilliams

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examines why congressional term limit reform has not succeeded despite widespread public support. Although there has been sustained bipartisan approval across decades, term limits have not gained any meaningful institutional traction, raising a central question: Why do reforms with strong public backing fail to advance within Congress itself? Drawing on historical analysis, public opinion data, and original survey research conducted with Members of Congress, this study argues that the failure of congressional term limit reform is not the result of a lack of public engagement, but rather a consequence of institutional constraints that prevent public preferences from translating …

A Case For Right-To-Right-Brain Youth Discipleship, Emily Ellis

Journal of Adventist Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Many people sitting in pews weekly undergo little to no change in their lives throughout their Christian journey. Currently, the primary approach when someone feels a bit dissatisfied with their faith or wants to grow in their spiritual maturity is to prescribe more Bible study, more prayer, or more church engagement. In this paper, I am going to explore how understanding brain science and attachment theory should influence how discipleship occurs in churches.

Testing The In Vitro Effectiveness Of Protease Inhibitors Against Histomonas Meleagridis, Evy Belle Hafer

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Histomonas meleagridis is a protozoal parasite able to exist in a flagellated or amoeboid form that infects gallinaceous birds, particularly turkeys, and causes significant mortality. There is currently no effective treatment for this disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the anti-histomonal activity of commercially available protease inhibitors, leupeptin, bestatin, and antipain, using an established in vitro model. Three protease inhibitors, leupeptin, bestatin, and antipain, were evaluated across five assays. Treatment groups included: 1) non-treated control, 2) leupeptin 100 µM, 3) bestatin hydrochloride 100 µM, and 4) antipain dihydrochloride 100 µM. Histomonads were enumerated using a hemocytometer after …

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.

From The Editor: Your Story Belongs Here, John Mack Freeman

Georgia Library Quarterly

No abstract provided.

For Those Who Come After: Building A Website That Colleagues Can Operate, Tom Webster

Georgia Library Quarterly

The article discusses the necessity to design a website with accessibility of not just the front-end, but also the back-end user in mind. Georgia Highlands College was updating its website and rather than go with a normal html coded webpage, the web development team realized they could use Libguides to make a home page that was professional and easy to use, while also being something that librarians could edit without needing html coding experience. While this cannot perfectly future-proof the website, this can make it so librarians can add updates as needed even if the webmaster is indisposed.

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 …

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 …

Phi Beta Kappa Membership Roster, Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Of California Chapter At Chapman University

Phi Beta Kappa Membership Roster

No abstract provided.

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 …

2026 Undergraduate And Graduate Commencement, Lindenwood University

Commencement Programs

2026 Lindenwood University Commencement program.

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Interfacing Pre-Sampling Platforms With Icp-Ms For High Sensitivity Atomic Detection In Biological And Environmental Matrices, Cameron J. Stouffer

All Dissertations

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a widely employed technique in analytical chemistry for the detection of trace level (sub parts-per-trillion to parts-per-billion) atomic detection. Despite its usefulness in quantifying small quantities of analytes, there are many challenges that arise with the employment of this technique as matrix effects, lack of structural information, and difficulties with sample preparation can hinder the usefulness of the technique. The use of pre-sampling techniques to alleviate these limitations is therefore of great importance. No sampling technique is comprehensive, as sample types have different challenges. Therefore, pre-sampling methods need to be customized based on …

Understanding Variability In Geographic Isolate Of Rotylenchulus Reniformis Across The Us Cotton Belt, Sagar Gc

All Dissertations

Management of the reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira) in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a challenge since the resistant cultivars lack uniformity in nematode suppression when tested across multiple geographical regions. The central hypothesis of this study was that regional variability in performance of resistant cotton cultivars is associated with unique reproduction biology (reproduction and virulence) of R. reniformis from distinct geographic origins. Greenhouse studies were conducted to assess differential reproduction biology among nine geographic population of R. reniformis originated from South Carolina (SC), Alabama (AL), Florida (FL), Arkansas (AR), Georgia (GA), Louisiana (LA), Texas (TX), …