Digital Commons Network^™

Transportation Implications Of School District Development, Neal Styka, Aaron Bubb

Purdue Road School

School districts face growing challenges from aging infrastructure, limited funding, and shifting enrollment trends. As communities respond by building new schools, consolidating facilities, or closing outdated buildings, these decisions directly affect the local transportation network. This presentation will highlight how Traffic Impact Analyses provide reassurance to school districts and communities by evaluating roadway operations, anticipating future needs, and identifying improvements that ensure safe and efficient access to educational facilities amid changing conditions.

Teacher Shortages Are Not Myths But Misinformed: A Review, Marissa R. Bamberger, Benjamin Creed

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Background

The United States has faced teacher shortages for decades with the consequence being under-qualified individuals hired as teachers who negatively impact the education of many students, especially those students who are most disadvantaged. Recently, the media has increasingly covered teacher shortages with claims that the teacher shortage is overblown or a myth.

Purpose

Therefore, the purpose of this narrative review is to examine the academic and popular media articles published on this supposed teacher shortage myth to determine (1) the conditions that contribute to the endorsement of a teacher shortage myth and (2) the faulty arguments that support the …

From Research To Writing: How Collaboration Strengthens Thesis Preparation, Carly Mcleod, Ben Lee Taylor

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Graduate students have unique learning needs that often require simultaneous support from multiple service areas to be successful. From navigating scholarly sources to developing strong academic writing skills, students benefit most when guidance is provided at critical points through intentional collaboration and shared expertise.

In response to a faculty request for supplementary workshops for mechanical engineering students, the Teaching and Learning unit within the library partnered with the Writing and Academic Skills Centre to design timely instruction that aligns with students’ academic goals as they enter the thesis preparation stage. Rather than delivering separate sessions, we recognized this would be …

Changing Mercy In Aotearoa New Zealand, Anna Nicholls Victoria University Of Wellington

Journal of Global Catholicism

This paper examines the evolving expression of Catholicity within the Mercy organization in Aotearoa New Zealand. It explores the impact of Vatican II, demographic shifts, and societal changes. Through interviews with lay leaders in Whānau Mercy Ministries, the religiosity, inclusive approach, and the tension between traditional Catholic identity and pluralism in the organization are explored. A pertinent discussion concerns how the organization uses a more secular portrayal of Catherine McAuley as a unifying figure for the religiously diverse audience. The author argues that while secularization influences the organization, it fosters human flourishing and community engagement, offering opportunities for growth rather …

Ancestral Rites And Tablets As A Site Of Contestation Between Confucian Filial Piety And Catholicism: The Cases Of Chinese Confucian Yan Mo And Korean Catholic Yun Ji-Chung, Mideum Hong

Journal of Global Catholicism

This essay examines how the Confucian practice of filial piety, particularly as expressed through ancestral rites and tablets, became a focal point of contention in the encounters between Confucianism and Catholicism. Focusing on the cases of the Chinese Catholic Yan Mo and the Korean Catholic martyr Yun Ji-chung, I argue that the different historical and cultural contexts in China and Korea significantly shaped how each figure understood and responded to the practice of ancestral rites. While Catholicism spread globally, local converts developed distinct theological interpretations rooted in their respective cultural traditions. Although Yan Mo and Yun Ji-chung reached divergent conclusions …

Opening And Closing Doors: Internationalism In The Norbertine Missions To Settler And Indigenous Populations In Wisconsin, Alex Gruber

Journal of Global Catholicism

In this essay, I argue that the Premonstratensian or Norbertine Order located in Berne Abbey in the Netherlands responded strongly to a call for international ministry by going to northeast Wisconsin for Walloon settlers from Belgium and their descendants in 1893. However, these priests and brothers fell much farther short of internationalism in the mission to the Oneida Nation reservation they received in 1898. I will make my case by detailing these two missions and analyzing how the Norbertines acknowledged their international nature and practiced or failed to practice internationalism in them. Diving into the mission histories requires discussion of …

The Paradox Of Appropriation: A History Of Media Technology And Propaganda In Rwanda, 1900–1964, Claudia Brown

Journal of Global Catholicism

Scholars of the 1994 Rwandan genocide agree that media technology and propaganda played a role in mobilizing ordinary Rwandans in 1994 to commit genocide. Underappreciated in these inquiries is the history of the introduction of media technology and propaganda in Rwandan society by missionaries, technologies Rwandans later appropriated and applied to a pursuit of self-determination, but also in support of perpetrating genocide. A close examination of the social and political context of Rwanda’s colonial era and Catholic evangelism reveals a variety of motives for adopting propaganda as a strategy for evangelizing and rallying support for decolonization. This article casts light …

The Untameability Of The Sacred: Votive Traditions At Notre Dame De Lourdes And El Santuario De Chimayó, Gabrielle Bibeau

Journal of Global Catholicism

This article compares divergent votive practices at Notre Dame de Lourdes in France and El Santuario de Chimayó in New Mexico. Lourdes’ embrace of modern aesthetic values—simplicity, order, and functional clarity—has led to the removal and tight regulation of most ex-votos. By contrast, Chimayó’s roots in Latin American Baroque aesthetics, with its emphasis on abundance, drama, and hybridity, create space for a vibrant proliferation of offerings. Drawing on Jacques Rancière’s theory of aesthetics and politics as the “distribution of the sensible,” the article shows how aesthetic judgments intertwine with clerical power to curate, constrain, and authorize pilgrims’ access to the …

“Enslavement By Unbridled Passions:” Catholic Magisterial Institutional Attitudes Toward Homosexuals In Poland Between 1945 And 1989, Agnieszka Laddach

Journal of Global Catholicism

During Communism, the Polish bishops presented a narrative about (homo)sexuality with in order to create the image of a righteous moral and social life that was to influence the Catholics. In my research I conduced a thematic analysis of this narrative. I highlight the doctrinal and Polish social-religious context to foreground tendencies in the formation of Church teaching about homosexuality as well as the importance of the Church in Poland to its formation. Then, I show the factors that characterize the episcopal discourse’s content and language about homosexuality, recognizing that components of episcopal discourse suggest a specificity of Church potential …

Overview & Acknowledgments, Mathew Schmalz

Journal of Global Catholicism

This Introduction overviews the work of contributors from the Graduate Symposium sponsored by the Journal of Global Catholicism and the McFarland Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture.  The Introduction also highlights the independent peer reviewed submission from Dr. Agnieszka Laddach of the University of Warsaw.

Recalibrating Library Research Support Workshops For Graduate Students: Addressing Skill-Gaps Through Targeted, Collaborative Workshop Design, Ekaterini Papadopoulou, Jason B. Hall

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Creating library support for graduate services can and should take many forms to meet the specific and varied needs of the student populations and graduate programs at any given institution. However, there are often common threads and needs that can be met through some carefully targeted centralized library services. We will present our approach to providing a suite of workshops that provide skills and transferable knowledge across multiple graduate student needs at our institution, where the majority of graduate students are pursuing professional graduate degrees.

Three challenges that we aimed to address with our workshop series:

A perception that library …

Traffic Counting For Buggies, Jay Grossman, Charles Mckenzie, Jennifer Sharkey

Purdue Road School

Counties with larger Amish populations have significant volumes of buggies on some roads. Traditional traffic counting systems do not always capture these vehicles, limiting local public agencies’ abilities to prioritize maintenance and safety improvements appropriate for these users. This presentation will cover results from multiple counting systems and evaluate their performance for non-motorized vehicles.

How Transportation Impacts Have Been Mitigated By The Indiana Stream And Wetland Mitigation Program, Summer Elmore, Brad Baldwin, Jeff Spicer

Purdue Road School

The Indiana Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program (IN SWMP) has been selling mitigation credits since 2018. In this presentation, we will discuss the success and challenges of the program. We will also review the total funds collected by the program, the resulting impacts from transportation projects, and project partners and opportunities.

Focus On Lane Shift Tapers, Mischa Kachler

Purdue Road School

While lane shift tapers appear to be simple type of transition area in a work zone, they are often are designed or implemented incorrectly. This session will review lane shift taper basics, delve into various applications and scenarios, and provide guidance to improve lane shift taper implementation in work zones.

Development Of Indiana-Specific Trip Generation Procedures, Rishika Tumula, Konstantina Gkritza, Nathan Shellhamer

Purdue Road School

This presentation explores how Indiana-specific data can reshape trip generation practices for key land uses, such as warehouses, fast-food restaurants, gas stations, and truck stops. By grounding forecasts in local conditions, the work enhances INDOT’s ability to anticipate traffic impacts and guide infrastructure investments. Attendees will see how conventional methods are being reexamined, where surprising patterns emerge, and why this shift could matter for future development decisions.

Customized Cable Barrier Solutions For Challenging Median Conditions On Us 31, Mitchell Murray, Katherine Smutzer

Purdue Road School

This study details the design and evaluation of a high-tension cable barrier system for US 31 in Hamilton and Tipton Counties. Custom layouts and multiple design iterations addressed substandard medians, underground utilities, and turn lane conflicts. Modifications were reviewed with the Standards committee to comply with safety standards and manufacturer specifications. Field checks and staking finalized the design.

Improving Chip Seal Durability, John Yzenas Jr., Aaron Fugate

Purdue Road School

In Northeastern Indiana, secondary roads can be severely abused due to heavy traffic from farm implements, trucks, and horse-drawn buggies. This presentation details how LaGrange County improved the performance of these roads and developed a successful chip seal program by implementing suggestions from a recent synthesis out of the Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering.

It's A Stretch: De-Customizing To Provide Better Support To All, Jean Cook

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

The University of X's graduate programs are its fastest growing sector. The College of Education is the third largest public university in the county, due largely to its graduate programs and partnerships with local school districts. Many programs across the disciplines have a heavy research aspect, with a focus on evidence-based practice. To meet the needs of these programs, the library has taken the counter-intuitive approach of widening the focus on its instruction and liaison programs. Previously, each program had specific librarians assigned to that program’s needs. Tools like videos, research guides, and workshops were tailored to each individual class …

Beyond The Tour: Designing Graduate Library Orientations That Build Research Confidence And Belonging, Megan York

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

Graduate student orientations often lean heavily on logistics: where to find resources, how to log in, and which services the library offers. While this information is important, it rarely addresses the deeper needs of graduate learners. Many of the students I work with arrive on campus already balancing careers, families, and demanding academic programs. At the University of Arkansas, graduate orientations in the College of Education and Health Professions frequently take place on weekends, serving students who travel from out of state and receive an overwhelming amount of information in a short time. For them, orientation is not simply a …

Traffic Studies 101, Laura Slusher

Purdue Road School

This presentation will introduce how to conduct your own traffic studies to save your agency money. We will cover how to collect and use data for volume counts, speed limit studies, sight distance studies, and more.

Pavement Marking Types And Best Choices For Designers, Rick Smith, Brad Henry

Purdue Road School

This presentation will discuss the topics of types of pavement markings, bonding characteristics, long-term investments, and best applications.

Hancock County’S Journey From Planning To Execution, Gary Pool, Ann Sheidler

Purdue Road School

Over the past decade, Hancock County has seen both successes and challenges in funding public projects, including roads, bridges, utilities, a technical school, healthcare, and retail development. Using a variety of capital sources, the county turned plans into real construction efforts that served the public good. This presentation will explore real projects with real financing—highlighting lessons learned, unexpected outcomes, and strategies that can inform and benefit similar efforts in other counties.

From Planning To Reality: Designing Clarksville’S Riverside Drive Project, Nick Batta, Kevin Baity

Purdue Road School

This presentation will highlight key infrastructure improvements along the Ohio River in Clarksville, Indiana. We will discuss projects including the reconstruction of Riverside Drive and the completion of the Ohio River Greenway trail. Attendees will learn about the complex project designs that necessitated the relocating a fabrication facility, working in close proximity to the flood control district’s levee wall, and minimizing impacts to the river’s floodway.

Smarter Projects With Microsoft 365 And Ai, William Fort, Warren Brown

Purdue Road School

This presentation explores how Microsoft 365 apps—SharePoint, Teams, Planner, and AI—can transform project management and collaboration. Learn how to centralize project information in SharePoint, streamline communication with Teams, and organize tasks through Planner. Discover how AI enhances insights, automates workflows, and supports smarter decision-making. Attendees will gain practical strategies for improving efficiency, accountability, and teamwork across projects, becoming more effective project managers and collaborators in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

Literacy And Equity: Exploring Teachers’ Lived Experiences Of Georgia Black Boys’ Difficulties With Reading Comprehension And Word Recognition, Roselle M. Caruth

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data shows that since 1992, Black male students in Georgia’s fourth through eighth grades have consistently scored low on reading assessments (The Nation’s Report Card, 2022c). Low reading achievement contributes to a persistent underachievement gap for Black boys, leading to unfavorable academic outcomes such as difficulty in phonological processing, limited fluency and comprehension, slow development of linguistic skills, lower proficiency in basic reading, and higher rates of high school dropout (Russell & Drake Shiffler, 2019; Tatum, 2024a; Washington et al., 2019). The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how teachers …

Day 1 Login And Welcome, Wendy Doucette

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

History and highlights of the TLGS (Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students) Conference

Classroom To Corridor: Partnerships Driving Civil Engineering Education, Charlie Kacmar, Victoria Farkas, Benjamin Moster, Reis Walker

Purdue Road School

This presentation will include a discussion panel with Marian University senior civil engineering students, Avenew, and Indianapolis DPW. The discussion will highlight a Marian University senior capstone project partnership that conceptualizes and studies a new gateway corridor for the City of Indianapolis and Marian University. Attendees will learn how this collaborative approach helped students gain hands-on experience and mentorship while delivering momentum towards an impactful community infrastructure project.

100 Years Since “The Great Renumbering”, Crystal Weaver

Purdue Road School

On October 1, 1926, all Indiana State Routes were renumbered to today’s naming convention. To note the centennial of our modern highway numbering system, this presentation will cover the Good Roads movement; the how, what, and why of the standards set by AASHO and the Feds; the logistics of renumbering all of the roads in the state (including cardboard temporary signs); and details about the State Highway budget at the time.

Geosynthetics And The Indot Approval Process, Sam Clawson, Lucas Monroe

Purdue Road School

This presentation will introduce the different kinds of Geosynthetics, INDOT’s Standards for them, and the approval process for getting onto the Qualified Product List (QPL).

The Level Of Physical Activity And The Feeling Of Stress In Difficult Life Situations Among Refugees From Ukraine, Bartosz Gondek, Iwona Bonisławska, Milena Lachowicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Russia's attack on Ukraine in February 2022 started the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. In the face of danger, crowds of civilians decided to leave their homes and escape, among others, to Poland in search of shelter. Materials and methods: The research was conducted on groups of refugees from Ukraine who registered in the first days of the war in Sopot and Pruszcz Gdanski. The refugees came from Kharkov, Mariupol, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and western Ukraine (not involved in hostilities). People from the war zone areas mostly came with only hand luggage. The respondents were divided …