Digital Commons Network^™

Euripides’ Medea As An Existential Protagonist: Comparing Conceptualizations Of Fate In The 400s Bc And The 1800s Ad, Johanna Bryant

Senior Honors Theses

Euripides’ Medea stands out as a tragic protagonist because the values she exhibits throughout his play do not seem to align with those of the Greeks in the fifth century BC. This thesis seeks to perform a reading of Medea as an atheistic Existential protagonist in order to show that Existential values have existed for thousands of years but would have been disdained by early cultures whose traditional values of structured, ritualistic religion and communalism disagree strongly with the individualism and disregard for organized religion espoused by atheistic Existentialism.

A.I. And The Law: How Ethical Guidelines Affect The Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Legal Work, Andre Asher

Honors Theses

Artificial intelligence is a quickly growing industry that is beginning to integrate itself into various aspects of our lives. Regarding the legal portion, the American Bar Association has an extensive set of ethical guidelines which, although they themselves do not hold any disciplinary weight, have been adapted to many state grievance committees where sanctions can be imposed. The use of AI in the legal field has introduced a whole new set of ethical concerns, which the already existing rules of professional conduct must now adapt to. Looking at the ABA’s ethical rules 1.1: Competency, 1.3: Diligence, 1.5: Fees, 1.6: Confidentiality, …

From Achievement To Adaptation: Women’S Career Narratives Across The Midlife Transition, Michelle M. Ness

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Midlife represents a significant transition for women characterized by the onset of menopause, shifting family dynamics, and evolving professional roles that affect physical and emotional well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life (QoL). This study examines how women in midlife navigate career considerations and future aspirations, emphasizing the interplay of achievement, transition, and reorientation. Drawing on qualitative interviews with cisgender women aged 39–57, the analysis identified four central themes: (1) established success and aspirations for growth, (2) redirection and pursuit of new opportunities, (3) reevaluation of work and identity, and (4) future planning and sustainability. For some, midlife represented the …

Institutional Silence And The Governance Of Women College Athletes’ Reproductive Autonomy In The United States, Tarlan Chahardovali, Molly Harry Ph.D., Emily S. Mann Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

This study examines how women college athletes understand their pregnancy-related rights and protections and how institutional communication – or its absence – shapes reproductive autonomy within college sport. Guided by a reproductive justice framework, it conceptualizes pregnancy as a site of reproductive governance shaped by institutional policies, norms, and silences within performance-oriented sport organizations. The analysis draws on semi-structured interviews with 25 women college athletes from various NCAA Division I institutions in the United States, conducted between September 2023 and July 2024 in the post-Dobbs legal context, and uses reflexive thematic analysis to examine athletes’ knowledge of Title IX and …

Fiber Consumption Of Three Lemur Species With Varying Dietary Specializations, Dylan Daniels

Honors Capstones

Fiber is an important macronutrient as a source of energy for maintaining animal health. My research question is what is the fiber content of foods consumed by lemur species with different dietary specializations (Propithecus diadema, Eulemur fuvlus, and Hapalemur griseus) and are there seasonal changes? 172 plant foods were collected in Tsinjoarivo, Madagascar during the resource-abundant and lean season. I analyzed these samples using the neutral detergent fiber method, which simulates digestion and measures insoluble fiber. Knowing how much fiber lemurs consume and how they adapt to seasonal variation in the food supply will allow for restorative actions to be …

A Retrospective Look At Self-Reported Mental Health Prevalence In Division Iii Student-Athletes, Jacob F. Neri

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Mental health concerns among collegiate athletes have gained increased attention, but there has been limited research focus on Division III student-athletes. This study aimed to examine the self-reported prevalence of anxiety, depression, anger, stalking/harassment, abuse/assault, alcohol/substance abuse, self-harm, suicide ideation, and suicide attempt to identify contributing factors amongst this population. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted looking at data collected from the student-athlete mental health history & well-being questionnaire that was administered as part of their pre-participation exam (PPE) prior to the beginning of each academic year. A total of 554 Division III student-athletes were included in the study. Results …

Machine Learning For Handwritten Character Recognition, Hannah Freitag

Honors Capstones

Handwritten character recognition remains a challenging problem in machine learning due to the high variability of handwriting across individuals and the visual similarity between certain character classes. This project explores whether Singular Value Decomposition (SVD)-based dimensionality reduction can serve as an effective preprocessing step for a fully connected neural network trained on the EMNIST Balanced dataset, a 47-class benchmark of handwritten digits and letters. By projecting 784- dimensional pixel inputs onto the top 70 principal components, approximately 90% of the total variance is preserved while reducing input dimensionality by 91%. The resulting SVD-based model achieves approximately 94% test accuracy, outperforming …

A Case Comparison Of Vo₂Max And Lower Extremity Injury In Collegiate Wrestlers, Kole J. Kendall

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

ABSTRACT

A CASE COMPARISON OF VO₂MAX AND LOWER EXTREMITY INJURY IN COLLEGIATE WRESTLERS

Kole Jacob Kendall

Otterbein University

Westerville, OH

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between preseason aerobic capacity (VO₂max) and lower extremity injury prevalence in Division III collegiate wrestlers. In this two-participant case comparison, Participant 2 sustained a lower extremity injury and demonstrated the lower VO₂max value (37.5 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹), whereas Participant 1 remained uninjured and demonstrated the higher VO₂max value (40.8 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹). Although statistical analysis was not feasible because of the limited sample size, this pattern suggests a possible association between lower aerobic capacity …

Assessing The Risk Of Low Energy Availability In Ncaa Division Iii Female Soccer Players, Emma C. Sturts

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Low Energy Availability (LEA) can occur when an athlete’s energy intake is insufficient to meet the physiological demands of training as well as normal physiological functions. Female soccer players may be at an increased risk of developing LEA due to the high exercise energy expenditure paired with decreased energy intake. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of LEA among Division III female soccer players. Division III female soccer players (n = 11) completed the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q). 45.5% (n = 5) of the participants were classified as “At Risk” for LEA. Of …

Prevalence, Perceptions, And Risk Of Nsaid Use Among Division Iii College Athletes, Alyssa C. Lewis

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

A preliminary study utilizing a Division III Midwestern athletic conference to determine the perceptions, prevalence, and risk of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was conducted. The study includes athletes that were 18 years of age or older and those who hold an active roster spot. The study utilized a non-standardized survey previously used in Christopher et al. (2020) to examine NSAID use and behaviors across multiple demographics (e.g., gender, academic year, sport, and ethnicity). The survey did not require any identifying information to allow participants to remain anonymous.  Data collection occurred over two waves through emailing both coaches and athletic directors. …

Investigating The Prevalence Of Eating Disorder Risk And Body Image Dissatisfaction Among Division Iii Track And Field Athletes, Ravyn S. Goodson

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Context: Eating disorder (ED) risk, and body image dissatisfaction (BID) are increasingly recognized concerns in collegiate athletes due to sport-specific and sociocultural pressures. However, limited research has looked at these factors within NCAA Division III track and field athletes.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of eating disorder risk and body image dissatisfaction among division III track and field athletes and explore differences based on gender and event group Design A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design

Setting: NCAA division III athletic program within the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), during the 2025-2026 competitive season.

Participants: A total of 32 NCAA Division III track …

Woodward Cuk Converter, Aditi Venkatesh, Jennifer Pereira

Honors Capstones

The purpose of this senior design project is to design and build a Cuk converter, a type of buck–boost converter. The project involves developing an analytical model and validating it through hardware testing. Cuk converters are important because they are widely used in everyday electronics, particularly in renewable energy systems such as solar power, power supplies, and electric vehicles. Their ability to increase, decrease, and reverse the polarity of voltage makes them flexible. The continuous input and output currents result in low ripple, reducing component stress and improving efficiency. To achieve these goals, simulations will be conducted using LTspice to …

Neurodiversity In The Workplace: Organizational Approaches To Supporting Neurodiverse Employees, Madison Vasquez

M.S. in Leadership

Despite growing conversation around neurodiversity in the workplace, many organizations lack clear understanding and structured strategies to support neurodivergent employees. This study examines existing research on how organizations can more effectively support neurodiverse employees across the employee lifecycle. Using a qualitative literature review, this study addresses the research question by examining literature on neurodiversity within workplace contexts. This includes investigating common representations of neurodiversity and reviewing the strengths and challenges of neurodiverse individuals, including those who have autism, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence. The study also reviews workplace barriers, support strategies, and organizational outcomes identified across the literature. Key …

Self-Guided Stress Reduction Program Among New Graduate Nurse Residents, Allison A. Norful, Yilei Yang, Simon Paul P. Navarro, Marin Skariah

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

Background: Evidence suggests that younger, less experienced nurses have higher burnout risk, thus yielding higher turnover rates, poorer psychological health, and decreased resilience or job satisfaction. To address this, it is critical to support new nurses by providing training aimed at building resilience and stress management. However, formal curricula designed to help nurses adapt to high-stress environments and unexpected changes are limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of an online self-guided resiliency training curriculum.

Methods: Using a pragmatic trial design, we recruited a pilot sample of 26 nurse residents (with …

Commencement 2026 (Program And Video), Illinois Wesleyan University

Commencement Ceremonies

No abstract provided.

From Central To Refinery: Labor And Hierarchy In The American Sugar Empire (1919-1962), Ben Woloch

History Honors Projects

From 1919 until 1962, the American Sugar Refining Company (ASRC) oversaw an empire, stretching from two Cuban sugar estates (centrales) to its Brooklyn refinery. The relationship between workers at both poles of the ASRC’s empire constituted a transnational labor hierarchy. Divergent management programs at the Brooklyn refinery and the centrales Jaronú and Cunagua confined the workers to distinct social positions. Brooklyn workers pursued labor-management collaboration in support of the sugar industry’s exploitative system, while workers in Cuba reimagined the sugar empire's power structure. The transnational workforce of the ASRC maintained a disunified relationship, which fractured the possibilities of working-class solidarity.

Molybdenum-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanocomposite For Sustainable Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation Of Dyes And Antimicrobial Activity, Samar A. Salim

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Mo-doped ZnO nanocomposite was synthesized by using auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction patterns of prepared nanocomposite indicated effective construction of crystalline Mo/ZnO NCs with co-existence of MoO2 and ZnO in required weight ratio. XRD results revealed also that ZnO crystallite size decreased as Mo-doping concentration increased. The direct band gap reduced from 3.309 eV of (MZ-0) to 3.258 eV of (MZ-5), demonstrating a negative correlation with Mo-doping levels. The electrocatalytic activity of Mo/ZnO NCs was assessed by their capability to degrade Indigo Carmine (IC) and Murexide (ME) dyes, and their antibacterial properties were also evaluated. The electrocatalytic (EC) degradation efficiencies for …

Effect Of Exergaming Duration On Heart Rat And Caloric Expenditure In Healthy Older Adults, Kathryn Jade Johnson

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

From Confidence To Competence: Embedding Critical Genai Literacy In Physician Associate Education, Chanceeth Chandrakanthan, Amy H. Donaldson-Perrott Mrs, Jane Secker, Julie Voce, Tamara S. Ritsema

Journal Of Indian Physician Associates

Background: Generative artificial intelligence is now embedded in how many healthcare students learn. Tools provide rapid explanations, summaries and practice questions, but use does not equal AI literacy, particularly where accuracy, medicines safety and guideline alignment matter.

Objective: To describe current use of generative AI by Physician Associate students and outline a practical approach to teaching critical AI literacy.

Methods: Educational evaluation using three activities: (1) baseline survey of students about use and attitudes, (2) an embedded compare and critique session in applied pharmacology where small groups assessed AI answers against trusted UK sources, including BNF and NICE guidance, followed …

Evaluating The Suitability Of The Berg Balance Scale For Assessing Balance In Diabetes With And Without Prior Covid-19: A Methods-Validation Study, Garima Kaushik Dr, Sheetal Malhan Dr., Apoorva Tiwari Dr, Vishakha Daga Dr

Journal Of Indian Physician Associates

ABSTRACT

Background: Balance impairment in diabetes mellitus is predominantly driven by somatosensory loss secondary to peripheral neuropathy. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) is widely used to evaluate functional balance, yet it mainly reflects motor performance and may not adequately represent sensory mechanisms. Following COVID-19, additional concerns regarding deconditioning have emerged, but interpretation depends on the measurement tool employed.

Objective: To examine the construct behavior and suitability of the BBS for assessing balance in individuals with diabetes with and without prior COVID-19 infection, and to determine whether the scale reflects known determinants of diabetic imbalance.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted …

Exploring Coaching Issues And Feedback Generation During A Virtual International Coaching Exchange, Lori A. Gano-Overway, Ian Hj Cowburn, Liam Mccarthy

Journal of Coach Development

Internship opportunities can provide coaches with the chance to learn through experience and explore their personal theories in practice. However, to effectively develop coaches during internships facilitators of learning need to know more about what student coaches typically perceive and find meaningful to puzzle through to support their learning and developing theory of practice. Grounded in experiential learning theory and the notion of the reflective practitioner, the authors sought to examine how early-career sport coaches identify, frame, and explore practical coaching issues presented through a virtual international coaching exchange. Using a descriptive multiple-case study approach, the authors presented the coaching …

Ischool Student Research Journal, Vol.16, Iss.1

School of Information Student Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Exploring Identity Through Clay: A Humanistic Art Therapy Case Study With A Blind Chinese Adoptee, Virginia Jade Leicht

Expressive Therapies Theses

This qualitative case study explored how working with clay in art therapy can help support a blind man’s identity exploration. This paper addresses the problem of many traditional therapeutic approaches within the art therapy realm: They rely too heavily on visual engagement, which can limit the accessibility and opportunities for self-exploration and identity development for those who are blind. The study was grounded in current research and foundational theories based on the humanistic art therapy approach. Clay is considered an accessible medium that engages multiple senses and allows for emotional exploration and meaning making, specifically through tactile and sensory-based engagement …

Youth-Based Mentorship Programs And The Development Of Social Capital, Toby C. Lumley

Honors Projects

Diverse communities often face complex challenges related to integration and collective action across different social, economic, and ethnic groups. Formal youth mentorship programs can be important institutions for addressing these challenges. This research examines how these programs act as intentional sites for cultivating social networks and relational trust necessary for successful civic engagement. Research for this project heavily relies on social capital theory explained through the lens of Robert Putnam. There will be special emphasis on the immediate community of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County, Virginia, due to its diverse population and rural-urban intersections. Through interviews with various directors of local youth-based mentorship …

Aacn Hwe Standards: Bridging Clinical Excellence And Academic Resilience, Michelle Kidd

Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE)

For over 20 years, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has championed Healthy Work Environment (HWE) standards as essential for nursing excellence. While HWEs improve patient and staff outcomes, they may be underutilized in academia. As faculty and clinical staff face record burnout and turnover, the nursing pipeline's survival depends on a unified HWE approach that bridges clinical practice and academia through intentional collaboration.

Modulating The Plastisphere: Inhibiting Biofilm Formation Of Vibrio Spp., Kacian Clayton

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), approximately 19-23 million tons of plastic are released into the aquatic environment each year. Vibrio spp. are diverse gram-negative bacteria that inhabit these environments, capable of colonizing and forming biofilms on these plastic surfaces. In an age when anthropogenic activity exerts an undeniable influence on ecosystems, elucidating a way to regulate the interactions between plastic and vibrios is essential. In previous studies, Polymyxin B has demonstrated high efficacy against biofilm formation in gram-negative bacteria, including Vibrio cholerae. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of cyclic lipopeptide antibiotics toward …

Age And Congressional Leader Success: Are They Getting Too Old, Edward N. Drinkwine, Scot Schraufnagel

Honors Capstones

Congressional leaders play a central role in shaping legislative agendas, maintaining party cohesion, and negotiating policy outcomes. Despite the important roles they play, our nation's congressional leaders continue to grow older, and research has rarely examined how age influences their effectiveness in these roles. This study asks whether older congressional leaders are less effective at advancing legislation than their younger counterparts. Using data on leaders serving in the U.S. House and Senate from the 93rd through the 118th Congress, the analysis compares leaders’ ages with their Legislative Effectiveness Score Ratios, controlling for legal experience, state legislative experience, elite education, ideology, …

Inbreeding And The Fall Of The Spanish Habsburg Dynasty, Kira L. Kent

Honors Theses

Inbreeding and the Fall of the Spanish Habsburg Dynasty examines how centuries of consanguineous marriages within the Spanish Habsburg family contributed to the dynasty’s decline and eventual extinction. Focusing on the reign and health of Carlos II of Spain, this study explores how dynastic marriage strategies, which were designed to consolidate political power and preserve royal lineage, ultimately produced severe genetic consequences. This thesis analyzes patterns of intermarriage beginning with Carlos I and continuing through the next four monarchs, highlighting the repeated marriages between close relatives. These practices significantly increased the likelihood of inheriting harmful recessive traits. In addition, this …

Evolving Art Therapy In Virtual Environments: Exploring Telehealth Art Therapy Within Gaming, Kathleen A. Wilber

Expressive Therapies Theses

The rapid expansion of virtual therapy following the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted art therapists to reconsider how creative processes can be facilitated through digital means. This capstone thesis explores how art therapy practices can evolve within virtual environments by exploring the video game The Sims 4 as a novel digital medium for virtual art therapy. A qualitative approach was used within an intensive outpatient program (IOP), including a preliminary peer session and two individual client sessions. The intervention involved therapist-facilitated gameplay, where the clinician acted as a “third hand,” guiding clients in an effort to support identity and values-based exploration. …

Returning To Play: Play-Centered Art Therapy With Parentified Adult Caregivers, Paola Andrea Mendez Carreno

Expressive Therapies Theses

This research investigates the impact of play-centered art therapy on parentified adult caregivers, focusing on how creative interventions utilizing elements of play can support identity development, self-compassion, and relational capacity. The literature indicates that childhood parentification leads to identity loss and burnout, but creative play can foster neuroplasticity and emotional processing by allowing adults to externalize harmful narratives that have been internalized. To explore these concepts, the author conducted four sessions over six weeks with an adult participant at a private outpatient practice in Massachusetts. Play-centered activities included free collaging, puppet-making, and clay modeling, often involving moments of parallel play …