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Winter 2026 Otterbein Connections, Institutional Advancement

Otterbein Connections

In this issue:

• Welcome Letter by Floyd Akins
• Students Helping to Strengthen Bonds by Jordan Helphrey
• Volunteer Spotlight
• Division Name Update
• Year-End Giving by Jordan Helphrey
• Summer Fun at the 'Bein by Dana Viglietta '96
• Understanding Donor Advised Funds by Kathleen Bonte
• Class of 1975 Celebrates 50th Golden Reunion by Stephanie Clark
• Alumni Spotlight by Michael Hickin '25
• Reminders
• Words of Encouragement by Valerie Gruber '84

Menendez De Aviles And La Florida, Juan Carlos Mercado

Publications and Research

The present volume is a translation of Solis de Meras and Barrientos,  Menendez de Aviles y La Florida: cronicas de sus expediciones, edition, notes, and introduction by Juan Carlos Mercado

1967 5bfts First Reunion Dinner. Invitation (June 1967) From John Potter (Chair, 5bfts Clewiston) To Raf Cadets Who Had Trained As Pilots At 5bfts During Ww2, Jenifer A. Harding

Documents

The First Reunion Dinner for RAF pilots who had trained at 5BFTS during WW2 was held on October 14, 1967, at the Royal Aero Club, London. This invitation to the Reunion dated June1967, is from John Potter (Chair, 5BFTS Clewiston) to RAF cadets who had trained as pilots during WW2 at 5BFTS.

Microwave Heat For Disinfecting Soilborne Pathogens In The Strawberry Fields., Jake Sporleder, Kaela Higgins

Baker/Koob Endowments Awarded Projects

The objective of the Baker–Koob research project was to design and assemble a laboratory testing device and to evaluate microwave radiation transfer through soils with varying moisture contents using thermocouples. The resulting findings were presented at the 2024–2025 ASABE International Conference.

Ecoplasticity – Development Of A Seaweed-Based Coating For Take-Out Containers, Michelle Cullen

Baker/Koob Endowments Awarded Projects

With growing concerns about climate change and plastic pollution, the food packaging industry has shifted towards the development of sustainable food packaging, like biodegradable polymers synthesized from renewable resources. Current sustainable options on the market either have a hidden plastic lining, present oil leaks, or can only be industrially composted under specific conditions. To address these issues, Ecoplasticity targets the industry-wide green initiative through the development of biodegradable and compostable coatings derived from an invasive species of seaweed, sargassum. It is intended to replace the hidden plastic lining, have grease and water barrier properties, and be composted in residential, industrial, …

Annual Report Of The Officers Of The Town Of Campton, New Hampshire For The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025, Campton Town Representatives

Campton, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Interest, Self-Efficacy, And Belonging In Classroom Learning, K. Ann Renninger, Lux K. Barton , '21, Gia Bautista , '23, Mary Garcia-Barrios , '24, Iyinoluwa Ogunyinka , '24, Kathryn R. Riley

Educational Studies Faculty Works

Students’ interest, self-efficacy, and belonging are considered essential for classroom learning, as each has been shown to promote sustained engagement and school achievement. However, our review of the literature suggested that research on interest, self-efficacy, and belonging is largely siloed. To address practitioner questions about supporting classroom learning by working with the three variables, we added a mixed-method pilot study to the review process. Pilot participants were Black, middle-school-age youth living in a low-income community, who were enrolled in a five-week, inquiry-informed science workshop facilitated by a Black professor. Findings showed that during learning, interest, self-efficacy, and belonging were increasingly …

Town Of Henniker, New Hampshire Annual Report 2025, Henniker Town Representatives

Henniker, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Town Of Plainfield, New Hampshire Annual Report 2025, Annual Reports Of The Officers And Selectmen And The School District, Plainfield Town Representatives

Plainfield, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

2025 Annual Report Of The Officers, Town Of Orange, New Hampshire, Orange Town Representatives

Orange, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Town Of Harrisville, Nh Annual Report For The Year Ending December 31, 2025, Harrisville Town Representatives

Harrisville, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Town Of Bow New Hampshire And Bow School District 2025 Town And School Annual Report, Bow Town Representatives

Bow, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Anonymized Survey Dataset On Road Safety Assessment During Construction Of Bus Rapid Transit (Brt) Corridors In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Lorain Salufu

Open Data

This dataset contains anonymized survey responses collected for a study on road safety assessment during construction of the Dar es Salaam Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phase 3 corridor. The dataset includes responses from 400 participants, together with the survey. The data were collected to assess perceived safety conditions, adequacy of construction-phase safety measures, effectiveness of traffic diversions, and the effects of construction activities on road users and nearby communities. No personally identifiable information is included in the shared files.

Daisies For My Grandmother, Miriam Smith

Athena: Undergraduate Research and Literary Journal

No abstract provided.

Nutrient-Driven Transcription Factor-Dna Interactions And Their Signaling Mechanisms In Metabolic Disease, Evelyn A. Bates

Theses and Dissertations--Nutritional Sciences

Metabolic homeostasis is maintained through tightly coordinated signaling networks that integrate diverse physiological inputs. Central to this regulation are transcription factors, which sense nutrient, hormonal, and vitamin-derived signals and translate them into coordinated gene expression programs. Transcription factor activity is governed by DNA binding, recruitment of coregulatory proteins, and interactions with specific response elements in gene promoters, which allows them to selectively modulate diverse metabolic pathways. Owing to their multifactorial and tunable nature, transcription factors have emerged as promising targets for the treatment and diagnosis of metabolic diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This dissertation explores the molecular …

Autologous Peripheral Nerve Tissue Grafts Implanted Into The Nucleus Basalis Of Meynert And Substantia Nigra At The Time Of Bilateral Deep Brain Stimulation In Parkinson Disease: A Report Of 2 Cases, Samuel R. Daly, Jorge E. Quintero, Lisa M. Koehl, Elizabeth Roslyn Wallace, Zain Guduru, Julie A. Gurwell, Tripp Hines, Jaimie Hixson, Saad Hulou, John T. Slevin, Frederick A. Schmitt, Greg A. Gerhardt, Craig G. Van Horne

Neurosurgery Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: Cholinergic degeneration in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) is implicated in the cognitive impairment seen in Parkinson disease (PD) and is being examined as a potential therapeutic target. We have previously shown the safety of delivering investigational autologous cell-based therapy, ie, peripheral nerve tissue (PNT), to the substantia nigra (SN) at the time of deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in PD (DBS-Plus). In this study, we assessed the safety and feasibility of simultaneously delivering that PNT to both the NBM and SN at the time of DBS.

Methods: Two patients with idiopathic PD and mild cognitive …

Efficient Organic Molecular Crystal Structure Prediction Using The Density Functional Tight-Binding Method, Maureen M. Kitheka, Yan Jing, Yan Yao, Puja Goyal

Faculty Publications – Chemistry

Over the years, computational crystal structure prediction (CSP) for organic molecules has thrived as an area of research, spanning various scientific disciplines and having significant applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Within the field of batteries, redox-active organic materials (ROMs) such as quinones have received increased attention as promising electrode materials for rechargeable batteries. However, experimental determination of the crystal structure of intermediate species formed during the discharge/charge cycle can often be challenging. Incomplete X-ray diffraction patterns can also lead to difficulties in crystal structure determination for ROMs used in batteries. Use of a semiempirical electronic structure method …

Review Of Resisting Erasure: Libraries In Palestine And Palestine In Libraries, Michael Kirby

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Language Policy In Superdiverse Indonesia, Written By Zein, Subhan, Reni Kusumaningputri

Manusya, Journal of Humanities

No abstract provided.

Surveying The Knowledge Landscape Of Western Languages And Literature In Thailand, Nantana Anuntkosol, Narut Chaosakun, Akra Chowchong, Marut Hantaley, Aratee Kaewsumrit, Natthaporn Kanjanapinyowong, Usa Padgate, Penpisa Srivoranart, Wilita Sriuranpong, Raksangob Wijitsopon

Manusya, Journal of Humanities

Although Western languages and literature have had a constant role in Thailand’s educational system, it has not yet been possible to project an unbiased picture of the development of related academic works as a data-driven study of such scale has not been attempted before. This study, therefore, purposes to 1) conduct a systematic survey of academic works and research studies produced by scholars and students in Thailand on the linguistics, pedagogy, translation, and literature of the following Western languages: English, French, German, and Spanish; and 2) perform a meta-analysis of the acquired data to draw an overall landscape of the …

Eastern Languages And Literature Research In Thailand : Past, Present, And Future Perspectives From 25 Years Of Research, Sansanee Ek-Atchariya, Somkiat Chawengkijwanich, Kanokwan Laohaburanakit Katagiri, Aroonwan Kongmebhol, Ruttapond Swanpitak, Sompornnuch Tansrisook, Pitchaya Vipaveenukul, Piyanuch Wiriyaenawat

Manusya, Journal of Humanities

This study examines the evolution of Chinese, Japanese, and Pali and Sanskrit language and literature research in Thailand over the past 25 years (1998–2022). Drawing from research articles, theses, and academic journals, it highlights the unique strengths and trends of each field. Chinese research demonstrates dynamic growth, driven by applied linguistics and educational innovations. Japanese research shows steady development, focusing on education research and analyses of individual literary works. Pali and Sanskrit research excels in cultural preservation and religious studies, reflecting Thailand’s deep-rooted connections with ancient Indian traditions. This comparative analysis underscores the shared focus on applied research and localization …

The Trial Of Socrates, Jonathan Van Patten

Faculty Publications

In many important ways, the trial of Socrates was not just the trial of the century, nor even the trial of the millennium. It predated the trial of Jesus, which is important for many other reasons, but Socrates’ contribution to how we think about justice and the rule of law is without equal. This Article explores the ways that this fifth-century B.C. trial, located geographically on the margin of what came to be known as the West, is at the center of what makes us a civilization. It is not simply about the drama, nor the politics of free inquiry, …

Nyc Delivery Worker Rights | Know Your Rights, Gig Economy Project, New York Law School

Reports

No abstract provided.

Structured Laser Vision-Based Measurement Of Gta-Weld Pool, Gang Zhang, Jianbo Wang, Yu Shi, Ding Fan, Yuming Zhang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

The current study of weld pool fluid dynamics in arc welding focuses on the numerical model establishment and simulation, and the x-ray combined with particle trace imaging observations, there is no real-time monitor and quantitatively characterize the weld pool flow behavior in welding process for controlling the weld quality. This study develops an innovative structured laser vision-based sensing system for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction and quantitative analysis of weld pool surface topographies in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Through characterization of dynamic weld pool morphologies, two novel parameters are proposed: the surface convexity variation rate (R_h) and fluid …

Vegetation Species And Bed Position May Drive Epifaunal But Not Nekton Habitat Use In Estuarine Submerged Vegetation In The Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Alabama, Steven Vroljik, Kathryn O'Shaughnessy, Ashley Mcdonald, Zoey Hendrickson, Bethany Kiley, Anna Reimer, Sierra Robertson, Samantha Smith, Edward Sullivan, Charles Martin

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) supports nekton and epifaunal macroinvertebrates, sustaining food webs and ecosystem services in estuaries. Invasive SAV can alter these dynamics by displacing native vegetation and restructuring communities. In Alabama’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta (MTD), Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) is rapidly expanding and outcompeting native wild celery (Vallisneria americana). This study compared nekton and epifaunal assemblages between M. spicatum and V. americana, focusing on edge versus interior positions. Nekton surveys identified 22 taxa (M. spicatum, n = 13; V. americana, n = 18), but assemblages did not differ significantly between vegetation types …

I And Ai: Human Personhood In An Age Of Artificial Intelligence, Jonathan A. Powers, Daniel H. Strait

Academic Books

No abstract provided.

Detecting And Repairing Conflicting Constraints In Co-Trained Physics-Informed Neural Networks For Composite Curing Processes, Cooper J. Evans

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Composite materials have become a critical component of modern manufacturing, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries. The curing process for these composites has been modeled using a variety of partial differential equations representing the heat transfer and composite curing kinetics. Optimizing the applied temperature profile is critical for maximizing the efficiency and capacity of composite part manufacturers. Constraints must be placed on the inputs and outputs of the model, including but not limited to, the applied temperature profile, part temperature, and final degree of cure. Conflicting sets of constraints are easy to unknowingly impose due to the highly coupled …

Torque-Based Detection And Isolation Of Bucket-Specific Load Variations In A Continuous Bucket Ladder Excavator, Mason R. Krause

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Understanding how cutter geometry, material, and operating conditions influence excavation performance is critical for the design of lunar surface systems operating in regolith environments. This work presents a torque-based methodology for detecting and quantifying bucket-specific load variations in a continuous bucket ladder excavator. A nine-bucket excavator was constructed to record drivetrain torque while operating in a regolith simulant over multi-day test periods. Each bucket featured a unique combination of cutting edge material and geometry. A method was developed to separate the continuous torque data into individual excavation events, enabling identification of individual bucket interactions. Analysis of the resulting event-based dataset …

Practicing Law From Home During The Pandemic: Findings From The University Of Michigan Law School Alumni Survey, David L. Chambers

Bibliography of Research Using UMLS Alumni Survey Data

The University of Michigan Law School, through its Alumni Survey Project, conducts annual surveys of its graduates regarding their current work and their careers as a whole.  In the surveys conducted in 2022, 2023, and 2024, the Project included questions about the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on various aspects of graduates’ work – their productivity, their co-worker relationships, their client relationships, the balance of their work and family life, and their income – as well as on their work experience overall. 819 graduates who had practiced law fulltime during the pandemic responded to the questions and more than half …

Responding To Suicide Loss: A Guide For Clinicians In Therapy With Suicidal, Grieving Adolescents, Brianna Jurosic

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Psychologists have spent years attempting to conceptualize what causes individuals to become suicidal and ultimately understand why individuals choose to die by suicide. Dr. Thomas Joiner (2005) developed the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide in an attempt to summarize and build upon previous models. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide is built upon three factors: perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and the acquired ability to enact lethal self-injury. Joiner theorized that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness together create the desire for suicide, and the ability to enact lethal self-injury adds the final piece that moves the desire toward action (i.e., a suicide attempt). …