Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Yielding Fruit: The Relationship Of Love, Unity, And Spiritual Gifts, Douglas Donald Vannostrand

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores the interconnectedness of love, unity, and spiritual gifts within the Christian church, primarily through an analysis of Paul's letters in Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians. It argues that these principles are essential for the church to fulfill its divine purpose. The study examines how love serves as the foundation for unity and the effective use of spiritual gifts, contributing to the community's edification and reflecting the nature of the Trinity. The research employs exegetical analysis, historical context, and practical application to demonstrate how these principles can address contemporary challenges in the church, fostering spiritual growth and reflecting God's …

Motivating Remote Working Employees, Sandesh Bilgi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how remote employees who have previously worked in-person describe their lived and perceived experience with motivation in remote working environments. Participants completed the Work Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation Scale (WEIMS), which measures degrees of work-related motivation among employees focusing on traits that signify each worker’s intrinsically or extrinsically motivated nature. Through in-depth interviews with 30 participants, this research examined how remote workers are motivated in remote work settings, which factors increase or decrease motivation, and how leaders can influence the motivation levels of their employees. The interviews were conducted online, …

Improving The Work-Life Balance Of The High School Marching Band Director: A Case Study, William Elijah Holmes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although many studies have been conducted on high school marching bands, research has yet to be completed on the impact of the number of after-school marching band rehearsals. High school band directors frequently rehearse after school to raise student proficiency and perform at a high level for football games, community events, and marching band competitions. Directors who demonstrate high rehearsal efficacy can reduce the number of marching band practices to avoid negatively impacting the lives of the adults and students involved while maintaining student achievement. This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological case study investigated the effects of reducing the frequency of secondary …

A Qualitative Constant Comparative Analysis Of The Editing Evolution Through Walter Murch’S Fourth Rule: Eye Trace, Emphasizing Its Utilization In Black Cinema By Renowned Black Directors From The Late 1980s To Present, Hakim Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research using qualitative methods is growing, notably in media and communication studies. The proposed research will explore Walter Murch's fourth rule, Eye Trace, and its film editing guidelines, focusing on Black filmmakers' utilization of it and the evolution of editing overall. The study will use a Constant Comparative Analysis as the foundation of the research, with planned future use of Green and Bock's Transportation Theory to examine how media material immerses people in narratives; this research method often uses content analysis to identify and analyze text themes, patterns, and messages. The study examines whether content analysis can assess Murch's principles …

Chaos And The Human Experience: An Intertextual Study Of Job, Qohelet, And Jonah, Andy Tse Chang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Hermann Gunkel’s landmark work Schöpfung und Chaos was a pioneering work in biblical studies, largely in part because it highlighted the importance of considering the language, culture, and context of the broader Ancient Near East with regard to Old Testament imagery. While Gunkel’s claims that the Genesis 1 account of creation was borrowing from Ancient Near East myths is now largely rejected, still, the enduring value and legacy of Gunkel’s work is that biblical scholars see the importance of contextual studies in exegeting the Old Testament texts, as well as how to apply the material exegetically to the Old Testament. …

William Perkins And His Polemical Relationship With The Roman Catholic Church, Scott Osattin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation covers the polemical relationship that William Perkins had with the Roman Catholic Church. It includes showing how Perkins used his writings and scripture to defend the biblical practices of the Church of England and the Puritans when it came to the practices covered in the dissertation. It provides the reader with the necessary background to understand the life, works, and ministry of William Perkins. There is a treatment of the historiography of the works produced on William Perkins and critical works pertaining to the Puritan Movement. Perkins wrote using polemical language to warn the members of the Church …

Perfect Love: Intertextual And Conceptual Commonalities Concerning Agape In 1 Corinthians 13:8–13 And 1 John 4:12–18, Christopher David Cochran

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation will examine Paul and John’s mutual focus on agape and teleios. The premise is that in 1 Corinthians 13:10, “perfect” is not used by Paul in an eschatological sense, but to communicate the message of “perfect love” John also references (1 John 2:3–6; 4:12–18). Jesus’s teaching recorded in Matthew 5:43–48 will be considered regarding how it might provide a basis for understanding Paul and John’s thoughts concerning agape. Also, the use of teleios by Aristotle and תָּמִים by the Qumran community will be contemplated, in addition to how the Hebrew word תָּמִים might have influenced Jesus’s teaching and …

Booker And The Bible: An Examination Of The Religious Rhetoric Of Booker T. Washington In Select Speeches And Writings And Its Impact On Audiences And Followers, Redunda L. Noble

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study is an ideological analysis of the religious rhetoric of Booker T. Washington and its impact on his audiences and followers. Washington became one of the most powerful Black men of the Progressive Era as leader of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in Alabama. He supported industrial education for Blacks, but rejected the political protest model demanding civil rights. He developed an educational program advocating individual agency to foster economic and spiritual improvement for Blacks. His advocacy grew out of his impoverished childhood slave experience and struggle to gain education after Emancipation in the Reconstruction South. Washington’s religious rhetoric …

The Convergence Point Project: Assessing A Cultural Apologetics Curriculum For Today’S Believer, David L. Eadie Sr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This action research project designed, developed, and implemented a comprehensive program focused on communicating the gospel through the lens of Cultural Apologetics. This initiative’s core objective was to equip participants with the vital knowledge and practical skills necessary for effectively engaging with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds while articulating the gospel message in a meaningful way. A total of twenty-one volunteers participated in the project. They were provided a pre-questionnaire before starting, which assessed their initial understanding of Cultural Apologetics and their confidence in engaging across cultural divides. Upon finishing the program, the same individuals completed a post-questionnaire to evaluate …

Sanctification Of Marriage And Positive Religious Coping May Help Couples Be Resilient From Stress's Negative Influence, Amanda Sue Bills

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Marriage is the building block of society and as such is an important developmental stage. Unfortunately, studies suggest that stress could be harmful to marriages. However, many resilient factors have been found to protect marriages from stress such as good communication, secure attachments, gratitude and optimism, and religion. The Bible teaches that marriage was founded by God and is a sacred institution. Further, stress should be expected in life, is useful for learning and growth, and God will help his followers to cope with it. The current quantitative study sought to discover if viewing marriage as sacred and using positive …

Worldview Development And The K-12 Christian School Bible Curriculum: A Dissertation-In-Praxis, Shannon Michelle Juris

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis explored the development of a biblical worldview in K-12 Christian schools, focusing on how these institutions’ curriculum choices shaped students’ perspectives through intentional integration of faith and education. Drawing on theories of worldview formation, educational philosophy, and Christian pedagogy, the study investigated the methods and curriculum employed by Christian schools to foster a biblical worldview in students. The research aimed to understand how curriculum selection across all grade levels contributed to the development of a biblical worldview. The study examined both the intended and actual outcomes of biblical worldview education by creating a curriculum guide for the current …

Implementation Of Discipleship Tools For Parents Of Neurodivergent Children At Crosspointe Christian Church, Nathaniel J. King

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a rapidly growing number of individuals in the United States being given neurodivergent diagnoses. With this rapid rise, the church must carefully consider how to spiritually disciple these individuals. This action research project sought to refine existing spiritual development tools at Crosspointe Christian Church in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, to integrate families with special needs intentionally. Eight parents of neurodivergent children at the church participated in assessments, action steps, surveys, interviews, and a group discussion. Through this process, additional discipleship tools were tested and found to be moderately helpful in aiding parents in the spiritual growth of their …

Houston Nationalism: The Life And Politics Of United States Senator Sam Houston, Jeremy Ager Pedigo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Sam Houston had a long and distinguished career in public service, gaining the most notoriety as General of the Texas Army and President of the Republic of Texas. However, he served in the United States Senate longer than any other position he held. This dissertation examines the impact of his life events and political ideology on the decisions and actions he undertook as a Senator, culminating in the proposal of a new ideology called “Houston Nationalism.” This belief system was based on three principles; nationalism, engagement, and recognition, which are defined throughout the study. Nationalism represents Houston’s support for the …

Assessing The Elements Of Worship From The Experience Of Seventh-Day Adventist Believers Participating In Local Multi-Generational Churches Located On The Campus Of An Educational Institution, Daniel Biaggi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation assesses the elements of worship from the experience of Seventh-day Adventist believers participating in local multi-generational churches located on the campus of an educational institution. The research aims to understand which elements of corporate worship are meaningful and practiced by participants of diverse ages and what makes these elements significant in their opinion. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data to examine how church participants prioritize different elements of worship and whether these preferences vary by age group and campus context. This survey also sought to identify specific worship elements that might be perceived …

From Riches To Rags : Deindustrialization And The Fall And Rise Of The Upstate Mill Towns Of South Carolina, Brian Patrick Worrill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The collapse and subsequent deindustrialization of the textile industry in the late 20th century devastated dozens of small communities across the Piedmont. With the loss of their primary economic engine these towns struggled with the outmigration of professional services and small businesses, crippling poverty, high unemployment, and rampant crime. As South Carolina’s economic model evolved to adapt to the globalized economy of the 21st century its government funded reindustrialization efforts have focused on its already well developed urban core, a strategy that often neglects rural areas. Yet, despite having been overlooked the majority of these orphaned mill towns did not …

Responding To Leadership Change: A Qualitative Multi-Case Study Of Female Pastors And Their Congregations, Sharon Britz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multi-case study was to explore the lived experiences of female senior pastors and their congregants who have embraced leadership change from male to female. Although many denominations openly accept and ordain female pastors, and the number of women in pastoral leadership roles has risen, many women in ministry still face obstacles. Guided by the theory of change, in conjunction with liberation theology, this study addressed a gap in research related to the experience of female pastors in ministerial leadership, as minimal similar studies exist, and no other studies within the Congregational Christian Church were found. …

The Role Of Timing Of Developmental Trauma And Impacts On Attachment In African-Caribbean American Women: A Holistic Perspective, Zinetta Renee Baker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Prior studies have shown that developmental trauma exposure in childhood negatively impacts attachment neurocircuitry, increasing risk for insecure attachments in adulthood, and deemed more prevalent among females and minorities, such as African American women. However, studies that specifically focus on ethnocultural contexts, initial developmental trauma exposure during specific developmental ages, and impacts on attachment, including attachment to God in African-Caribbean American women are limited. This study fulfilled those gaps in the literature by examining age of initial developmental trauma exposure and impacts on attachment with self and God in African-Caribbean American adult women with developmental trauma histories. Bioecological systems theory, …

Resilience And Empowerment: The Impact Of Gullah And Maroon Cultural Preservation On Pan-Africanism And Civil Rights Movements, Shantae' L. Streeter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation investigates the history of the cultural resilience and advocacy of the Gullah people of South Carolina and the Maroons of Jamaica, with a particular emphasis on their function as role models for the empowerment of descendants of the formerly enslaved (DOFE). This investigation examines how enslaved communities preserved cultural identity, resisted systemic injustice and influenced Pan-Africanism and Civil Rights movements in the 20th and 21st centuries. This research emphasizes the experiences of the Gullah people who maintained cultural identity through acculturation, and the enslaved populations from South Carolina’s interior regions and other Southern states, who faced assimilation. Additionally, …

Beast From The East: The Mongol Invasions Of Europe 1221-1223 & 1236-1242, Cam Rea

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Mongol invasions of Europe between 1221-1223 and 1236-1242 represent one of history's most significant military campaigns, reshaping the fabric of society throughout Eastern and Central Europe. This dissertation reevaluates these invasions by analyzing why the Mongols invaded, why they were so dominant, and why they left through the examination of the Mongols' strategic, operational, and logistical capabilities alongside their military doctrine and adaptability. It examines key campaigns, including the pursuit of Shah Muhammad II, the conquest of the Rus' principalities, and the decisive battles in Poland and Hungary. Through an extensive review of primary sources, such as the Nikonian …

Determining The Mental Health Climate Of The Ministers Of Christian Churches In Metro Vancouver After The Reopening Of The Churches Since Covid-19 Closure, Lap Cho Chan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The burnout of ministers is real. Ministers are human, just like everyone else in the world. Too many people (such as church officials and leaders) underestimate the adverse effects of burned-out ministers in their churches. The pandemic had a huge impact on all the churches in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Ministers experienced exceptionally high stress and anxiety after the reopening of churches after the COVID-19 closure. Thus, the purpose of this DMIN action research project is to use the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), surveys, questionnaires, and interviews to research, qualify, and quantify the mental health climate of ministers in Metro Vancouver. …

A Qualitative Study Of Social Constructivism: Why Modern-Day Christians Lack The Fundamental Knowledge Of God, Samuel Singleton Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this grounded theory study is to explore why some modern-day Christians lack the fundamental knowledge of the God they serve. The research uses the term “Christian foundational nescience” to describe why some modern-day Christians lack the fundamental knowledge of the God they serve. The theory guiding this study is grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1965), as it will enable the researcher, through the collection and analysis of data, to discover or construct a theory or theories as to why some modern-day Christians lack the fundamental knowledge of God. Believers should know God created everything; everything made was …

Factors Influencing The Success Of Modern Wind Band Transcriptions Re(New)Al By Viet Cuong, Bells For Stokowski By Michael Daugherty, And Masks And Machines By Paul Dooley, Edward F. Protzman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Transcriptions have played a significant role in wind band literature since the end of the Renaissance period. Due to a desire for more significant original band works in the1900s and the existence of many low-quality transcriptions, conductors often view orchestral transcription as a lesser part of the wind band canon. Contemporary wind band transcriptions like Re(new)al by Viet Cuong, Bells for Stokowski by Michael Daugherty, and Masks and Machines by Paul Dooley are significant works in both the orchestral and band repertoire. This study investigates how instrumentation, sonic variety, acceptance of new music by wind band conductors, composition prizes, and …

Educational Leadership And Advocacy For Change: A Historical Examination Of Georgia State Superintendents’ Reporting And Public Education Reform (1933–1977), Benjamin Isaac Casado

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines the role of Georgia’s State Superintendents of Schools in shaping public education from 1933 to 1977, a period marked by profound social, economic, and political change. Focusing on the tenures of Dr. Mauney Douglass Collins, Dr. Claude Lamar Purcell, and Dr. Jack P. Nix, it explores how these leaders utilized the Georgia Department of Education reports to the General Assembly to advocate for legislative reforms and address the evolving educational challenges of their respective eras.

Through a detailed analysis of these reports, this study uncovers the superintendents’ strategies, priorities, and policy recommendations, shedding light on their leadership …

Paul’S Christological Hermeneutics Of The Psalter In The Book Of Romans, Finny Samuel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the pivotal role of the Psalter in shaping Paul’s theological articulation of justification by faith in the Epistle to the Romans. The central argument asserts that Paul’s Christological hermeneutic of the Psalter serves as a foundational framework for the forensic and legal language employed in his presentation of justification by faith in Romans. The study systematically explores Paul’s theological interpretation of direct quotations from the Psalter in Romans, illuminating the forensic dimensions integral to his argumentation. Through rigorous exegetical analysis of these quotations, it is demonstrated that Paul consistently interprets these texts through the lens of Christ’s …

The Impact Of Implementing A House System At East Richland Christian Schools: A Dissertation-In-Praxis, Travis Johnson Mckinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation-in-praxis examines the implementation of a House System at East Richland Christian Schools (ERCS), a private Grades 7-12 institution in Saint Clairsville, Ohio, to address deficiencies in the traditional small group model, including limited student engagement, leadership development, spiritual growth, and school spirit. Grounded in Burns’ (1978) Transformational Leadership Theory and biblical principles, the study replaced gradeand gender-segregated groups with four randomized, co-ed houses (Amare, Fidem, Spero, Veritas) for 50 students and eight teachers. The project aimed to create a spirited Christian community through weekly competitions, leadership opportunities, and spiritual activities. Using a mixed-methods approach under the Stake Model, …

The Both/And Church: A Qualitative Study On The Motives, Processes, And Impacts Of Instrumental Music In Churches Of Christ In The Bible Belt, Samuel Scott Souder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the information available on worship styles of churches in America, perspectives of Churches of Christ who have started using instruments have yet to be explored. Since 1906, Churches of Christ have been one of many distinct religious sects in America. Expressions of this denomination are most often found in the Deep South of the United States — what many religious persons refer to as the “Bible Belt.” Known for their emphasis on weekly communion, baptism as a sacramental part of discipleship, and their embrace of extra-biblical additions to ministry like missionary societies, one spiritual practice sets them apart most …

Mrs. Annie Pearl Jackson

African American Funeral Programs

Mrs_Annie_Pearl_Jackson.pdf - Funeral program for Annie Jackson

Senior Recital: April 18, 2025, Lauren Cancio, Lu Witzig

School of Music Programs

Kemp Recital Hall

April 18, 2025

Friday Evening

6:00 p.m.

Senior Recital: April 18, 2025, Wesley Smith, Lucia Depaz

School of Music Programs

Kemp Recital Hall

April 18, 2025

Friday Evening

8:30 p.m.

2024-2025 Performance Forum - April 18, 2025, Jeremiah Grace, Jose Ignacio Diaz, Steven Halpner, Maria Luz Vella, Pablo Camacho, Aidan Quintana, Esther Platt, Samuel Dionisio, Megan Hagel, Julian Rauh, Caroline Dratnal, Giah Bush, Paula Mora Alfaro, Nabil Hetman, Yilian Concepcion, Laura Gonzalez, Rachel Miner, Jon Cruz, Miriam Smith, Paola Nava, Jeremy Jefferson, Peter Pao

Performance Forum

No abstract provided.