Digital Commons Network^™

Cultivating Scholars 2025, Elizabeth Hamner

Research Week

Cultivating Scholars is an interdisciplinary event promoting undergraduate students and their special interest topics. It is a research-based setting meant to imitate a professional conference. Students work with Faculty Mentors to conduct a high-quality project and present it to the community.

Date: April 24, 2025, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Place: Collin College, Frisco Campus Conference Center

So Much More Than Summer Camp: The Importance Of Environmental Education At Nature Centers, Olivia P. Upton

Student Scholar Showcase

In conjunction with my Westover Honors Thesis, my Bonner Legacy Project focused on the development of environmental education curriculum and programming at Camp Kum-Ba-Yah Nature Center [CKBY]. Informed by a review of current climate education, lesson plans and activities were modified in collaboration with CKBY staff to be more climate-focused and aid in the development of systems thinking skills. Activities were compiled and edited to teach concepts, such as food webs, feedback loops, and the greenhouse effect, while also promoting team-building and critical thinking. Educational kits for each activity were created, which include all materials needed as well as a …

Analyzing The Effectiveness Of Providing Religious And Spiritual-Based Care For Patients Currently Receiving Palliative Care Services, Rachel Ann Bruce, Cynthia Dien, Kinnice Jordan Turner, Rebecca Kay Tisdale

Student Scholar Showcase

This literature review explores the effectiveness of providing spiritual and religious-based care to patients currently receiving palliative care settings. In the context of this research, palliative care is defined as the six month period before a person’s death. By examining peer-reviewed journal articles from 2020 to 2024, this literature review will incorporate findings from multiple studies (both qualitative and quantitative) in order to effectively compare and contrast spiritual and religious beliefs and practices for patients receiving palliative care. After thorough examination, collected research has demonstrated that individuals who receive both timely and frequent religious and spiritual-base care while on palliative …

Brewing Revolution: The Influence Of Cafés In Eighteenth-Century France, Ian Landry

Liberty University Research Week

The cafés of eighteenth-century France occupy a central role during this era. They were places that both the literate and illiterate flocked to in order to receive the latest news and debate about relevant current events and topics. The material disseminated from these places prompted discourse and ultimately shaped the public’s opinion. With this in mind, cafés deserve a more prominent role in the discussion on eighteenth-century French studies in general as well as the French Revolution specifically.

The Lynchburg Musketeers In World War I: From Guardsmen To Doughboys, Timothy Brophy

Liberty University Research Week

My research paper entitled “The Lynchburg Musketeers in World War I: From Guardsmen to Doughboys” is a textual and investigative study that traces the development of a local company of men from Lynchburg, Virginia that went from the National Guard to the U.S. Army before and during World War I. The Lynchburg Musketeers was a small militia organized in the fall of 1915 that became Company L of the National Guard’s 1st Virginia Infantry Regiment in the summer of 1916. My paper centers around the firsthand account of Edley Craighill, a member of the Lynchburg Musketeers, in his 1931 work, …

Bytes, Banter, And The Bible: An Interdisciplinary Account Of Objective Meaning, Cameron Bonin

Liberty University Research Week

The claim that the Bible has objective meaning is contested in a postmodern world. Many theologians and philosophers have sought to address this critique. One such philosopher is Nicholas Wolterstorff, who makes use of speech-act theory to defend authorial-discourse interpretation. His case is especially presented in his work, Divine Discourse: Philosophical Reflections on the Claim that God Speaks. But theologians and philosophers are not the only ones concerned with the nature of meaning. As such, the assertion that the biblical texts have objective meaning can be more persuasively defended when it is addressed by insights from multiple disciplines. In particular, …

Green Rush: The Rise Of Medical Marijuana In The United States, Dominic Wells

The Journal of Economics and Politics

No abstract provided.

Mommy, When Can I Have My Cookies?, Hayley Stewart, Samantha Desantis

Research Days

Current regret literature suggests a psychological difference in how people cognitively evaluate their own role in suboptimal outcomes regarding (in)actions taken. Initial studies report a robust action effect (Kahneman, 1982); however, subsequent studies have challenged these findings and suggest that the inactions elicit greater regret (Beike, Markman & Karadogan, 2009; Gilovich & Medvec, 1995). The concept of delayed gratification can provide a valuable lens through which we can understand these seemingly conflicting results. A classic study by Walter Mischel (1989) examined children’s ability to wait for a larger reward (e.g., two marshmallows) rather than settling for an immediate reward (e.g., …

Odysseus The Prince: An Analysis Of The Odyssey Through A Machiavellian Lens, Emily Baugh

Liberty University Research Week

Though Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince is well known as a text that discusses leadership, the common perception of the type of leader Machiavelli espouses as effective and why has been distorted, resulting in a skewed and skeptical view of this text. The work examines and evaluates the character and leadership qualities of the famous Greek figure Odysseus in light of The Prince, demonstrating not only that he fits Machiavelli’s conception of an effective leader, but that the Machiavelli type, as demonstrated by the king of Ithaca, is truly effective in positions of authority. By viewing Odysseus as a whole person, …

Miracles In Medicine? A Review Of Neuralink's Blindsight And The Future Of Brain Computer Interface Technology, Thomas Yu

Liberty University Research Week

A study of the history of Brain Computer Interfaces and new technologies in the field, specifically Neuralink's Blindsight technology. Current developments and future implications are discussed.

To Parent Or Not To Parent: How Far Do Parental Rights Extend?, Emilie Das

Liberty University Research Week

American citizens have rights under the United States Constitution. However, not all rights appear in the written text of the Constitution. These rights are called fundamental rights, and they receive protection from constitutional amendments. Parental rights constitute a fundamental right protected by the Substantive Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. However, landmark cases discussing parental rights leave ambiguity as to how far this fundamental right extends. The circuit split between the Third and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Gruenke v. Seip and Fields v. Palmdale, respectively, demonstrates this ambiguity. Both decisions rely on Supreme Court precedent but …

The Boxer Rebellion And Missionaries: A Study Of Historical Context And Ideological Perspectives, Danielle Russano-Simpkins

Liberty University Research Week

The Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901) was a pivotal anti-foreign, anti-Christian, and anti-imperialist uprising in northern China, shaped by the interplay of three key perspectives: imperial forces, missionaries, and the Boxers themselves. From the imperial viewpoint, the Qing dynasty initially opposed but later supported the Boxers, aiming to resist Western encroachment and preserve sovereignty amidst growing foreign aggression. Missionaries, representing Western religious influence, were perceived as cultural disruptors, fueling anti-Christian sentiment due to their perceived arrogance and interference in local affairs. The Boxers, a grassroots movement blending martial arts and spiritual beliefs, sought to expel foreigners and restore traditional values, believing themselves …

The King’S Antiquary: John Leland Between Destruction And Preservation, Christopher Dykes

Liberty University Research Week

This study examines John Leland's complex role as a royal commissioner during the dissolution of the monasteries. As the "King's Antiquary," Leland found himself caught between seemingly contradictory missions: participating in dismantling monastic institutions while simultaneously working to preserve their scholarly and cultural heritage. The research explores how Leland, educated as a humanist and appointed with a royal commission to survey England's libraries, navigated these competing loyalties through his extensive library tours, meticulous transcriptions, and ambitious documentation projects, including the Collectanea and De Viris Illustribus. Particular attention is given to Leland's nationalist motivations, evidenced in his concern about foreign scholars …

Exploring Internal Communication At United States Higher Education Institutions, Kimberly S. Marks

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

Communication serves a crucial role in higher education institutions (Pineda et al., 2024) which can aid organizational performance when effective (Meirinhos et al., 2022). Change can also achieve necessary support through internal communication (Lemon & Towry, 2021) and higher education institutions are currently being challenged and require change (Abushawish, 2018). Although scholars (Johnstone & Schexnider, 2023; McClure, 2017; Moran, 2016) have named many sustainability strategies, Burukina (2021) indicates that internal communication plays a central role in higher education’s sustainability efforts. However, internal communication studies within higher education institutions remain limited (Burukina, 2021; Campbell, 2018; Clemmons, 2022). The purpose of this …

Cover And Forewords, James W. Gallagher

The Geographical Bulletin

Cover and Forewords

Bicycling: A Review, A Pilot Study And Planning Implications, Brian Dyck

The Geographical Bulletin

Bicycling is a growing activity. It provides both a form of exercise and a means of transportation. Recent estimates indicate there are over 85 million bicycle users in the United States.' Renewed interest in bicycling has occurred in the last ten years.' Some of the major reasons for the growth in bicycling include the revival of social acceptability of adult bicycling, the emphasis on the need for exercise, the greater availability of leisure time, the provision of bike ways and a response to the "energy crisis". The growth of bicycling, however, has caused some crucial concerns. Two of the more …

Volume 12 Complete Issue, James W. Gallagher

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 12 Complete Issue

Satellite Photos, James W. Gallagher

The Geographical Bulletin

Satellite Photos

Military Geography: A Viable Field, Gary S. Freedom

The Geographical Bulletin

The image geographers of as military militaristic geographers has not been conducive to widespread acceptance and participation by academia. Mr. Graves has decried the narrow parameters of military geography, parameters made even more narrow by his arbitrary definition of the profession .. only those who are trained geographers and a component of the military. There is a distinct difference between membership in the military and those in our profession who study the character of an area in the context of military operations, even though a significant number of military geographers are associated with the military. His limited definition leaves out …

An Epigraphic· Geography Or "Kilroy (Amongst Others) Was Here", George F. Carter

The Geographical Bulletin

Vigorous debate has raged virtually since Columbus' discovery of America over who the American Indians were, where they came from, how they got here, and what the source of their civilization was. Momentarily, consideration was given to their being a separate creation; not the descendants of the people of Genesis. The Pope settled that by stating firmly that the Indians were God's creatures just as surely as the Spanish and Portuguese were, and as such entitled to all the rights, duties, and privileges thereto appertaining as they say as they cap and gown you.

Editor's Comments, James W. Gallagher

The Geographical Bulletin

In a conversation with Dr. Carter, at the Annual Meeting of the Association of American Geographers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a year ago, he discussed some of the recent findings of investigators of ancient civilizations and particularly their new information regarding worldwide travel of those societies. Because exploration geography is a field that is neglected by most research geographers, and because some students feel that there are few new research areas to become involved in, I asked Dr. Carter if he he could write, for student consumption, an article which would demonstrate the attractiveness of exploration geography as a research career. …

Domestic Violence Punishments In The Nfl, Jesse Lichti

Student Scholar Showcase

The way that professional athletes are punished for violent crimes is something that the leagues need to put an emphasis on. As media coverage has risen in regards to athletes being violent, specifically against women, the fans understanding of its severity has risen along with it. As currently constructed, the NFL allows for too much bias, lacks deterrence, and does not focus on helping the athletes. These are the main points that my presentation focus on. In the next CBA, something like my idea needs to be put into place. This can then be extended to all violent crimes in …

Abandonment In Children's Literature, Paige Sturek

Liberty University Research Week

The presence of characters in children’s literature who experience abandonment or grow up in a broken family has become more and more prominent in recent years. This growing trend, according to Marilyn Apseloff, is because society has shifted from familism to individualism. Because of this shift, there has been less focus on stabilizing and nurturing the family and more focus on satisfying the personal desires of the individual. Examples of children’s literature that illustrate this shift include The Tale of Despereaux, Peter Pan, and The Boy on the Porch. While the authors of the first two works listed, Kate DiCamillo …

How Abraham Varghese’S Ecologies Begin The Healing Process In "The Covenant Of Water", Dominique Snedeker

Dr. Jay W. Boland Research Day

Timothy Morton’s ecological thought considers everything internal and external for the purpose of reframing thinking about the world and how we exist in it. When applied to literature, this ecological thought is the textual fabric of the work formed by the author’s intentions, everything unconsciously revealed as symptoms of the author’s social context, worldview, education, location, time, class etc., and all the ways readers respond to the internal literary ecosystems. Dense with ecologies, Abraham Varghese’s The Covenant of Water follows a family through the end of colonialism into the late twentieth century, a time of existential crisis for both the …

Advocating For Ableist Practices: Nnazi Propaganda Against The Disabled Between 1933-1941, Dylan Cumbo

Liberty University Research Week

This paper looks at the major themes and evolution of Nazi Germany’s propaganda campaign against people with various disabilities. The perspective of people concerning the disabled altered based on time and location. However, most had more negative imaginings of the disabled. For the Nazi’s, this was doubly true. Germany had prior campaigns against the disabled, however they would take it to another level during the Third Reich. Propaganda resolved around differing societal issues which offered various justifications for persecution of the disabled. Most tailored toward issues more practical to the average German citizen. Financial concerns, ethical questions, and calls for …

A Gripping Controversy: Examining Hoplite Spear Grip Positions In Art, Practice, And Context, Ethan Pierce

Liberty University Research Week

The Greek Hoplite was the principal warrior of Archaic and Classical period Greece. The citizen militiaman was outfitted primarily with a large shield and spear, which he used in a dense Phalanx formation to combat foes for nearly three centuries. In the absence of written records detailing how individual hoplites fought, historians have turned to the artistic record. Archaic and Classical age vase paintings, depicting hoplites in combat, have served as the basis for nearly all reconstructions of hoplite warfare. The majority of these vase paintings depict hoplites holding their spears overhead in an overhand grip position. This grip position, …

A Man, A Family, And A Story: Influences On The Creation Of J. M. Barrie’S Peter Pan, Audra Horton

Liberty University Research Week

All that is needed to reach Neverland is a little faith, trust, and pixie dust; at least, this is what children are told when they first hear the story of Peter Pan. However, understanding the story of Peter Pan, which wrestles with topics of love, fear, and growing up, is more complex than merely flying toward the second star to the right and straight on till morning. The early life of James M. Barrie was filled with a deep desire to gain affection after his family faced a great tragedy when he was a child, and this longing is seen …

Multilingual Learner Toolkit, Bailey E. Pugh

Student Scholar Showcase

As classrooms become more diverse, educators must always be developing new approaches using strategies and resources to support multilingual learners. This presentation introduces a multilingual learner toolkit designed to help general education teachers create inclusive environments that meet students' linguistic and cultural needs. The toolkit features research-based strategies, instructional tools, and culturally responsive practices for supporting multilingual learners. The Multilingual Learner Toolkit is a resource designed to support educators in creating inclusive and successful learning environments for English Learners (ELs). This toolkit combines evidence-based strategies to enhance ELs' proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening, while also addressing family engagement, …

Literacy Alive: Kdp Makes An Impact On Our Local Community, Briana N. Mata, Macie R. Wright, Elizabeth Price, Caleigh E. Hauser

Student Scholar Showcase

Literacy is a foundational skill that impacts every aspect of a child's academic success and future opportunities. However, many children face barriers to literacy development, including limited access to culturally relevant books, literacy support, and positive community engagement. Research shows that when children see themselves and their cultures reflected in literature, they are more likely to engage with reading, which can lead to higher literacy achievement and a greater sense of belonging (Bishop, 1990; Ladson-Billings, 1995).

The University of Lynchburg’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) is committed to addressing these challenges by organizing Literacy Alive! events that connect university …

The Impact Of Educational Polarization On Demographic Shifts And Associated Political Behaviors In U.S. Politics, James Black

Liberty University Research Week

This analysis examines the role of educational polarization driving shifts in political behavior in recent U.S. elections, namely how people vote. In the aftermath of the 2016 election, which saw a strong politically conservative shift among white voters without a Bachelor’s Degree level of education. As voters with that aforementioned education level exhibited political behaviors which revealed a shift in a more politically liberal direction, particularly more educated white voters living in suburban areas with above average incomes, many researchers began to generalize that this shift was driven by so-called “white grievance politics”, in which white voters without a college …