Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Does What Happens In Vegas Increase Pedestrian Safety? A Longitudinal Study On The Effectiveness Of Pedestrian Bridges, Jalen Paulos, Jalen Paulos, Joaquin Del Mundo, Brock Wentz

School of Medicine Research Poster Showcase

Urban populations continue to rise and the frequency that pedestrians are exposed to vehicular traffic continues to increase. The result is an increase in automobile versus pedestrian collisions. This study aims to determine the efficacy of pedestrian bridges in reducing the rates of automobile-pedestrian collisions. Data for all automobile versus pedestrian collisions and injuries from July of 1997 through December of 2023 at four distinct intersections along Las Vegas Boulevard were retrieved from the Nevada Department of Transportation. These sites were chosen because of their historically high rates of automobile versus pedestrian incidents and the construction of pedestrian bridges at …

Race Evasion In White Student Affairs Professionals In Minnesota Higher Education: A Phenomenology, Cindy Boe

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Language that includes race-evasive frames is used by White individuals to maintain a status quo wherein White individuals hold greater access to societal power and resources than people of color. Race-evasive frames include abstract liberalism, naturalization, cultural racism, and disconnected power-analysis. In higher education, use of race evasive frames has been primarily documented in White college students and White faculty members. This study addressed in a gap in the literature related to race evasion in White student affairs professionals. Student affairs professionals provide direct support to college students. Scholars have suggested that student affairs professionals carry responsibility for advancing equity …

New Arrivals Trust In Government In Country Of Origin And Chicago, Connor W. Wood, Anna E. Bullock, Cristian L. Paredes

Sociology: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Trust in government refers to individuals’ willingness to place confidence in governing institutions. This research brief examines whether new arrivals trust government both in their countries of origin and in the City of Chicago. Using descriptive statistics from the 2025 New Arrivals/Asylum Seeker Survey Project, the study compares reported levels of trust across these two contexts. The findings show that most respondents distrusted governments in their countries of origin—suggesting distrust as a key push factor—while expressing substantially higher trust in Chicago’s government, highlighting the city’s role as a sanctuary city.

Trading Precarities: How Bangladeshi Freelancers Leverage The Digital Economy Amid Local Insecurity And Ai Disruption, Naim Bin Hasan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This study examines how Bangladeshi freelancers use digital platform work to cope with precarious local labor markets and how this strategy both mitigates and reproduces insecurity. In this form of work, freelancers compete for short-term, skill-based remote jobs posted by global clients. Drawing on 30 in-depth interviews and virtual ethnography, this study challenges dominant Western understandings of the precariat that assume workers fall from stable employment into insecure work. Instead, the findings show that many freelancers enter platform labor strategically as a way out of already unstable and limited local opportunities. While freelancing carries a promise of foreign income, flexibility, …

Suppressing Saints And Suffering Sinners: An Analysis Of Reductive Tropes Through The 2025 Film Sinners, Kaila Palmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Ryan Coogler’s 2025 horror film Sinners is set in a predominantly Black Mississippi community during the Jim Crow era and explores the vulnerability and hypervisibility of Black people. Vampires and Klansmen fixate on Black bodies, treating them as consumable and dispensable sources. Prior to its Amazon Prime debut and extended theatrical run, Sinners grossed over $300 million, signaling its cultural impact and contribution to reshaping representations of Black identity in cinema. As part of Coogler’s broader array of Black storytelling, the film disrupts entrenched stereotypes by emphasizing character depth rather than caricature.

This paper analyzes the characters Annie and the …

The "Quiet Professionals": Oral Histories Of The United States Special Forces Veterans Of The Global War On Terror, Chase Rumbley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This thesis examines how United States Army Special Forces veterans of the Global War on Terror narrate the identity of the "Quiet Professional" across training, deployment, and post-service life. Drawing on oral history interviews with four retired Green Berets, as well as archival and material culture analysis, the study approaches Special Forces as a distinctive military institution shaped by narrative, institutional formation, and war. It argues that Special Forces ethos is not a fixed warrior identity, but a lived and contested achievement produced through rites of passage, embodied hardship, informal legitimacy, and collective memory. Participants describe becoming Special Forces as …

The Effects Of Dietary Protein Manipulation On Operant Demand, Brianna R. Lilly

LSU Master's Theses

Previous work with dietary protein restriction in rodents has demonstrated that rodents fed a low protein diet exhibit physiological effects such as lower rates of weight gain and increased levels of circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Dietary protein restriction also produces behavioral effects. Compared to rodents that are not protein-restricted, rodents that are protein-restricted exhibit increased food intake and higher preference for a protein vs. carbohydrate solution. Additionally, protein-restricted rodents will respond at higher levels for a protein reinforcer than non-restricted rodents. The current study assessed the effect of dietary protein restriction on operant protein demand during and after …

Coverage, Traits, And Geographic Distribution Of Online Surgeon Reviews: Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Analysis, Michael Geng, Carlos Riveros, Yash B. Shah, Sanjana Ranganathan, Kai Fok, Renil Sinu Titus, Vatsala Mundra, Eusebio Luna Velasquez, Dharam Kaushik, Allan S. Detsky, Angela Jerath, Benjamin N. Breyer, Yusuke Tsugawa, Christopher J. D. Wallis, Raj Satkunasivam

Student Papers, Posters & Projects

BACKGROUND: The use of online physician rating platforms has significantly increased and has been shown to influence physician selection. There are limited data on the use of these platforms for rating surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we sought to assess the geographic distribution of and patterns in rating scores of surgeons in the United States. Additionally, we examined rating volumes across different surgical specialties and the association between peer-nominated and patient-initiated ratings on online rating platforms in the United States.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study by identifying 201,154 surgeons in the United States via the National Plan and Provider …

My Four Years Of Animal Care Through Community Service, Margaret Reed '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

I joined DePauw as a Bonner Scholar with little knowledge about the program, but ready to continue my work in community service. I was unaware of the long term impacts and relationships that I would build over the course of the four years. I bounced around many service sites, but one, the Putnam County Humane Society. I began regularly volunteering at the shelter entering my second semester of freshman year. In my final semester, I am the intern and coordinate for other new volunteers like myself all those semesters ago. I also am a volunteer at the Lakeland Center, Inc., …

Living In Service: Mia's Bonner Journey, Mia Martin-Fuller '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

During my time, I have been allowed to learn a lot about myself and the communities I have had the privilege of serving. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that I do not always have the answer, and that's okay. Going into areas where individuals may think or act differently than I do, I have found it is most useful to approach with a humble attitude and an open mind.

Cultivating Community Through Service And Leadership, Alberto Zamora Martinez '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

Introduced to the Bonner Program after committing to DePauw University Encouraged to apply by older brother, Eduardo (DePauw Class of 2021, former Bonner Scholar) Committed all four years to service at Asbury Towers Supported residents’ well-being in a retirement community focused on care, respect, and collaboration Helped create volunteer opportunities for Bonner Scholars and other DePauw students Developed a strong passion for public service and strengthened my long-term commitment to helping others

Rooted In Service, Built For Purpose, Vriseida Yaneth Lima '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

When I arrived at DePauw, I didn't know that one conversation would shape the next four years of my life. I was first introduced to the Bonner Scholar Program through friends and fellow scholars on campus. From the moment I heard and learned more about it, I knew I wanted to be part of something that allowed me to interact hands on with the community I was to spend the next few years of my life with. After going through the ladder interview process, I eamed my place in the program and began a journey I never could have anticipated. …

Four Years Of Training In Leadership And Effective Communication Through Service, Manmeet Hayer '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

My Bonner education has been shaped by a deeply practical approach to service: I consistently chose sites and projects that would strengthen not only my ability to communicate effectively with different populations, but also my ability to recognize what those interactions revealed about deeper needs, gaps, and problems that required action. Throughout my four years with Bonner, that approach guided the full arc of my journey. During my first year, I focused extensively on education-centered service, working as an ESL tutor, supporting eligible 21st Century Scholars through EDGE 21, and serving as a counselor at a Lutheran summer camp during …

Discovering My Passion For Social Justice, Nev Hommel '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

After taking a tour of DePauw in the fall of 2021, I knew it was my school. However, I didn’t know how I could afford to attend. I scoured DePauw’s website for scholarships and found out about Bonner! I’m so grateful I took a leap of faith and applied. I was thrilled to find out I was accepted into the program! Upon arriving at DePauw for Bonner orientation, I immediately felt welcomed by Val and my fellow Bonners. Bonner has brought me an amazing community of friends and peers. Furthermore, the Bonner program introduced me to the world of social …

How Bonner Influenced My Love For Education And Non-Profit Work, Abbygail Napper '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

There will never be enough space for me to write all of the things that Bonner has taught me over the last 4 years. Bonner has taught me the importance of civic engagement and how imperative it is to your community that you get involved. Just a little bit of involvement goes a long way. Bonner has taught me an immense amount of life skills, from interacting with people in a professional setting, to creating a resume and applying for jobs, to simply just getting your work done on time. Bonner has morphed me into the hard worker that I …

Rooted In Service, Reaching For The Stars, Lucila Ojeda '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

My biggest takeaway from Bonner is to not be afraid to ask for help. Coming from out of state, the transition from a familiar community to somewhere completely foreign was scary. The kindness shown to me by the people at Bonner is something I will never forget. Do it scared and take the leap of faith in reaching out and building your community. Bonner will help you as much as they can, and I hope my service has reflected the support I have been so fortunate to receive.

The Power Of An Unplanned Path: My Bonner Journey, Amia Mcdonald '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

Coming into my freshman year at DePauw, I had no idea what the Bonner program was or how much it would come to shape my college experience. It wasn’t until a senior Posse scholar took the time to tell me about Bonner and encouraged me to apply that I even saw myself as a part of it. From the start, I’ve always loved giving back and being involved in the communities I’m in, so joining Bonner felt like a natural fit. Over the past 3.5 years, my journey hasn’t been linear, but each service site I’ve been a part of …

Path Unexpected: Finding My Passion Through Service, Tanaa Jones '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

One of my biggest lessons from the Bonner Scholar program is that service can be about passion not only a career. Throughout my Bonner journey I have had fun and enjoyed much of my service. Although it won’t be what direction I go in, I still feel as though I made an impact within the community I spent 4 years with. My biggest piece of advice would be to breathe. Being a Bonner and a student is a hard task, give yourself a huge amount of credit.

Servicing My Communties, Leaving An Impact, Leila Kirkpatrick '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

I was struggling on whether or not I wanted to attend DePauw University because it was a completely different experience from what I was used to being from Chicago. DePauw is located in a small town and predominately white institution, with limited modes of transportation. I didn’t know anyone on campus, but then a faculty member from my tour told me about Bonner because of the community service I did in High School. I have always been passionate about serving my community. I told that member if I get in the program ,I will attend, and that’s what I did. …

Building Community Through Communication: A Bonner Scholar's Journey In Health Equity And Its Impacts, Samrawit (Samri) Soloman '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

As a Global Health major on the pre-medical track, I focused my Bonner experiences on becoming a culturally conscious physician who advocates for community health justice. My Bonner journey lead me to realize that communication is the foundation of building community. It was only through the multidisciplinary opportunities across different areas of health that I developed a more comphrehensive understanding of health equity. My experiences and leadership developemnt in Bonner equipped me with the tools to recognize overlap among health organizations and to use my professional skills to form partnerships and promote health equity.

A Journey With A Map, Ruben Munoz '26

Senior Presentation of Learning

My Journey through Bonner has been an interesting one. I personally have struggled to find a permanent spot throughout my four years in the Bonner Program. I have bounced between service sites, serving at places such as The Humane Society, TZ after-school program, Women's Center, Family Support Services, Crounded, among other sítes and opportunities. Although it has been a struggle, every site has come with its own lessons and motivations. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to be a Bonner Seholar and have the journey that I have had.

Inequality And Well-Being, Sarah E. Boslaugh

Theses

Human well-being has been a topic of interest to philosophers at least since the time of Aristotle, and well-being has also been a core concern of social scientists since the birth of the discipline in the late 18^th century. Some theories of well-being include economic inequality as a factor, and multiple ways to measure this factor have been developed; as with well-being, there is no single best measure of economic inequality and the choice of which measure to use may be based on both theoretical and practical reasons. I argue that income inequality should always be included as a …

Language And Emotional Experience: A Worldwide Study, Natalie Lorange, Chelsea Romney

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

This qualitative study explored how native language influences emotional experience. Fourteen participants from diverse countries were recruited to capture a range of linguistic perspectives and experiences. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, resulting in four key themes: (1) shared experience as central in creating emotional meaning, (2) the power of words in shaping emotional experience, (3) stronger emotional resonance in native or frequently used languages, and (4) the importance of regional differences in emotional experience. Findings suggest that while emotions may be largely universal, linguistic and cultural differences play a significant role in an individual's emotional identity. The study highlights …

From Disaster To Decision: Spatial And Temporal Patterns In Disaster-Affected Voting, Jake L. Shaw

Dissertations

This dissertation examines how natural disasters shape electoral behavior in gubernatorial and presidential elections in the United States, with particular attention to geographic proximity, disaster severity, and partisan accountability. Using county-level gubernatorial and presidential election returns from 2016 to 2022, it analyzes the electoral effects of hurricanes, wildfires, and tornadoes through three frameworks: direct disaster impact, near-distance exposure, and disaster severity. Employing the difference-in-differences and fixed effects models across more than 31,000 county-year observations, the study finds that natural disasters can significantly reduce incumbent party vote share and voter turnout, particularly in gubernational elections. Results further demonstrate that electoral effects …

Drainage Proximity And Sinkhole Occurrence In Sivrihisar (Central Turkey): A Comparative Analysis Of Linear, Poisson, And Negative Binomial Regression Models, Bilge Bingül, Emrah Pekkan, Resul Çömert

International Journal of Speleology

This study investigates the relationship between sinkhole occurrence and distance to drainage in the Sivrihisar region (Central Turkey) and evaluates the suitability of different regression approaches for modeling clustered count data in karst terrains. A comprehensive inventory of 104 sinkholes developed within the Neogene lacustrine limestones of the Akpınar Formation was compiled using official records, remote sensing analyses, and detailed field surveys. Sinkhole occurrences were analyzed relative to a drainage network derived from a high-resolution Digital Surface Model and grouped by proximity to drainage lines. Linear Regression (LM), Poisson Regression (PR), and Negative Binomial Regression (NBR) models were comparatively applied …

Protecting Free Speech And Promoting Civility: The Dueling Responsibilities Of American Colleges And Universities, Tara N. Parsons

International Journal on Responsibility

Freedom House estimates that 75% of the world’s population lives in countries that experienced a democratic decline in 2020. Even in long established democracies, liberal democratic values have been shaken. As democracy requires an enlightened citizenry cultivated by a college education, many American universities and colleges adopt civic instruction and engagement as a core responsibility and mission. However, growing anti-intellectualism has drawn increased scrutiny and suspicion towards the programming, curriculum, and core values of universities. Powerful political figures regularly accuse universities of stifling conservative voices and discouraging free speech. The tension between free speech and civic dialogue requires a reframing …

Understanding The Underutilization Of The Campus Recreation Facility: A Mixed-Methods Examination Of Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction, Social Physique Anxiety, Sense Of Community, And Physical Environment Barriers, Caden M. Pfingsten

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

General Abstract

Understanding the Underutilization of the Campus Recreation Facility:

A Mixed-Methods Examination of Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction,

Social Physique Anxiety, Sense of Community, and Physical Environment Barriers

Caden Miles Pfingsten

Department of Health and Human Performance, Fort Hays State University

May 2026

General Abstract

This study investigated why students at a mid-sized Midwestern public university elect to pay for off-campus commercial gym memberships rather than use the on-campus Campus Recreation Facility (CRF), which is available at no additional direct cost. A cross-sectional quantitative survey (N = 169) was administered to students across six fitness facility groups. Validated and researcher-adapted …

Pages Of Despair: Economic Policy Uncertainty And Mental Health, Kori Massner

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Policy uncertainty threatens access to affordable medical care, yet few studies have examined how it shapes what people search for online. This study examines whether economic policy uncertainty predicts mental health information-seeking behavior by analyzing daily Wikipedia pageviews from July 2015 to April 2026 using a time series model. Results show that as economic policy uncertainty increases, there is an increase in pageviews on Wikipedia for suicide related information. When there is an increase in those searching for information on pages about depression and pages about anxiety, there is also an increase in pageviews on Wikipedia for suicide related information. …

Developing Strategies For Pce Outreach, Mariah Blankenbaker, Gordon Carlson, Daniel Adesoji, Levi Eck

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

In collaboration with Professional and Continuing Education (PCE), we produced projects to automate their internal tasks, as well as to promote their services. By taking advantage of software techniques, we bridged live-action footage with 2D and 3D computer visuals for promotional material. In addition, we researched the capabilities of creating a custom Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT) and trained it to analyze and interact with thousands of industry datapoints.

Barriers And Motivators To Participation In Intramural Sports At Fort Hays State University, Tereus Henry, Dillon Provost, Judson Wiltfong, Samuel Spencer, Taylor Falk, Justin L. Montney

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Introduction: Intramural sports programs play an important role in promoting physical activity, social connection, and overall well-being among college students; however, participation rates on many campuses remain lower than desired. The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing student participation in intramural sports at Fort Hays State University and to identify strategies that may enhance engagement.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was utilized to collect data from currently enrolled students taking at least six credit hours. Participants were recruited through university communication channels, including course announcements and social media, and completed an online questionnaire assessing perceived barriers …