Tag: Capstones

Makenzie McLaughlin

Same-sex Couples Adopting and Raising Children

In American society, many individuals perceive two heterosexual parents as the ideal family type. Same-sex couples may face more setbacks than heterosexual couples in attempting to adopt and raise children, since they may not be perceived as the ideal parents. Same-sex couples who want to adopt may need to provide evidence that they are as qualified to be good parents as are heterosexual couples. Researchers have found, however, that same-sex couples who adopt may actually have a positive impact on their children, themselves, and the community in which they reside. This presentation reviews four recurring research themes regarding same-sex couples who adopt children. First, same-sex couples experience similar stress to heterosexual couples during pre- and post-adoption. Second, the community in which the same-sex couples reside may perceive the couples positively, neutrally, or negatively. Third, males and females, in general, may perceive same-sex couples differently than heterosexual couples; males may more often perceive same-sex couple adoption in a negative light than do females. Fourth, some individuals may believe that children of same-sex parents will automatically grow up to become gay or lesbian, like their parents. Future directions are reviewed, including the need for longitudinal studies following children of same-sex parents in adulthood.

PSY 499, Capstone

Mary Ann Winter-Messiers

P114

2 – 2:30 PM

Return to schedule

Alaina Thomson

Women in Academe

Females have long been undermined and abused throughout history when societal expectations surrounding the roles of women are challenged. In the academy, many women contest gender-based stereotypes as they strive to shatter the glass ceiling by pursuing education, careers, and advancement. Women in academia may experience substantial discrimination in comparison to their male peers. This presentation reviews four research trends in discrimination in higher education. First, prejudice against women academics is prominent in the oppressive gender inequality to which they are regularly subjected. Next, women experience bias in workplace sexism. Moreover, women of color in the academy may be additionally confronted with gender-based racial discrimination. Finally, women academics may also experience inequity based on their current or potential status as mothers, which intolerance may hinder their careers and futures. These elements of discrimination may be perpetuated largely by the dominant oft male-governed institutions of higher education. As women pursue academic careers they are stymied by the exclusive, abusive nature of predominantly male social networks, e.g., “good old boys” clubs, that ensure the success, notoriety, and advancement of men. Researchers have reported that higher education may perpetuate an environment that is hostile for women. This may be due to the attitudes and actions of administrators, fellow faculty, staff, and students toward women academics. Future directions for research are discussed, including the need to explore the gender-specific sacrifices that women academics must make to be successful in their careers and co-exist with males in mutually nurturing environment.

PSY 499, Capstone

Mary Ann Winter-Messiers

P114

3 – 3:30 PM

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Canaan Threlfall

Parental Incarceration and its Effects on Children

Children whose parent is incarcerated struggle emotionally, behaviorally, and educationally.  Emotionally, children experience attachment issues, depression, and high levels of stress due to parental absence.  Behaviorally, children with incarcerated parents have a higher likelihood of being delinquents, and they struggle with behaviors such as aggression and conduct disorder.  Educationally, these children experience many difficulties in school. The difficulties include, trouble completing homework and the struggle to pay attention in class. These difficulties result in a lack of motivation that can lead to poor academic success and school dropout.  Research shows that providing emotional support can help children with incarcerated parents succeed emotionally, behaviorally, and educationally, thus leading to positive outcomes.

PSY 499, Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P103

1 – 1:30 PM

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Jordan Weinkauf

Ebola, A Threat Assessment

Hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola have been in the news over the last several years as severe outbreaks have sprung up in West Africa.  It has captured our imagination due to its extremely virulent nature and by the spectacularly gruesome way in which kills those it infects.  In addition its origin is relatively unknown which furthers the myth of this virus.  Understandably the American public became incredibly worried, with large portions of the population concerned that the pandemic would spread to our shores.  But was all this hype really worth it?  Sure, Ebola is very deadly.  In fact in some cases it kills up to 90% of those infected.  What’s even more incredible is that it is not the virus that ultimately kills you, but rather your own immune system.  Through viral trickery, the Ebola virus silences and short circuits your immune cells causing massive internal bleeding and organ failure.  Also it can last relatively long periods on common hospital surfaces and still remain viable.  However while it is quite destructive on the individual level it seems to be relatively impotent on a global level.  Outbreaks have been severe but still remain locked to a relatively small area.  This becomes very evident if we look at the R0 number and other infection factors of the virus and we can see that it has less teeth than originally thought.  Therefore, I believe Ebola is not the harbinger of some future apocalypse, but it is an incredibly complex and fascinating virus that deserves future study.

BIOL 499, Capstone

Paul Allee

P114

11 – 11:30 AM

Return to schedule

McKenzie Wirth

Conflict Styles and Using Secret Tests

Conflict styles influence how a person solves problems in his or her relationships. There are five common Conflict Styles: Accommodation, avoidance, competitive/aggressive, compromise and collaborative (Thomas, 1976). When uncertainty over a romantic partner’s commitment to the relationship arises, this could be a potential problem area in which a person’s conflict style makes a difference as to how he or she reduces uncertainty and solves this issue. Often, individuals who have an avoidant conflict style don’t like discussing problems directly with their relational partners, because they experience communication apprehension (Thomas, 1976). Thus, it’s plausible that these individuals may employ Secret Tests to reduce the uncertainty they feel towards their partner’s commitment to the relationship. There are seven common strategies: asking-third-party tests; directness tests; triangle tests; separation tests; endurance tests; public presentation tests; and indirect suggestion tests. The present study seeks to determine the following: 1) If a person has a predominately non-confrontational (passive) approach to conflict, then he or she will use indirect secret tests; and 2) If a person has a predominately solution-oriented (assertive) or controlling (aggressive) approach to conflict, then he or she will not use indirect secret tests.

COMM 499, Capstone

Doyle Srader

P003

10:30 – 11 AM

Return to schedule

Madeline Bartholomew, Hanna Mack, Joseph Piper

Team Chester Capstone Presentation

Chester’s Mission Statement

“Premium products for mainstream customers. Our brands withstand the test of time. Our stakeholders are customers, stockholders, management and employees.”

Company Strategy

We will be approaching the simulation using the “Differentiator with Product Lifecycle Focus” company strategy. Entering the market with all competitors including ourselves starting fresh we hope to gain an early advantage through high sales from a high tech product. With the introduction of our first high tech product, essentially no time has surpassed allowing for that product to become “old.” This planned successful first quarter will determine our continuing approach. By introducing new products and lowering the manufacturing quantity and price of previous products we plan to capture both the new market, as well as, be a cost leader in the old market. Ultimately, we hope to stop production of old products and sell off our inventory. By keeping a low inventory of old product we minimize the risk of having large inventories that do not sell or sell for the cost of production.

Research & Development: We will have multiple product lines in both segments. Our goal is to offer customers products that match their ideal criteria for positioning, age, and reliability.

Marketing: We will spend aggressively in promotion and sales. We want every customer to know about us, and we want to make our products easy for customers to find. We will price at a premium.

Production: We will grow capacity to meet the demand that we generate. After our products are well positioned, we will investigate modest increases in automation levels to improve margins.

Finance: We will finance our investments primarily through stock issues and cash from operations, supplementing with bond offerings on an as needed basis. When our cash position allows, we will establish a dividend policy and begin to retire stock. We are somewhat adverse to debt, and prefer to avoid interest payments. We expect to keep assets/equity (leverage) between 1.5 and 2.0.

BUS 499, Business Strategy and Policy

Dave Quirk

P103

1 – 3 PM

Return to schedule

Daniel Brock, Marina Irish, Nick Rubino

Capsim Simulation Presentation – Digby

Mission Statement

Low-priced products for the industry: Our brands offer solid value. Our stakeholders are bondholders, customers, stockholders and management.

Tactics

Research & Development: We will keep our existing product line and introduce at least one new line, maintaining a presence in both segments. We’ll work to keep our products up to date in each segment despite high automation levels, without sacrificing our cost/price advantage.

Marketing: Our Company will spend modestly on promoting and selling products in our industry. Our prices will be lower than average. After we establish our cost leadership position, we will revisit our situation to explore options to improve awareness and accessibility.

Production: We will significantly increase automation levels on all products. However, because automation sets limits upon our ability to reposition products with R&D, we automate more in the slower moving Low End segments than in the fast moving High End. We will prefer second shift/overtime to capacity expansions.

Finance: We will finance our investments primarily through long-term bond issues, supplementing with stock offerings on an as needed basis. When our cash position allows, we will establish a dividend policy and begin to retire stock. We are not adverse to leverage, and expect to keep assets/equity between 2.0 and 3.0.

BUS 499, Business Strategy and Policy

Dave Quirk

P103

1 – 3 PM

Return to schedule

Sierra Brown, Sergio Maldonado, Barton Peterson

Mission Statement for Ferris

Here at Ferris, Our mission is to provide the newest and the most advanced sensors with the highest level of durability. Not only do we seek to provide high quality in our product but also in our customer service to ensure your satisfaction.

Tactics

Research and Development:

we seek to provide our customers with the newest and most relevant products that will do more than satisfy.

Marketing:

Here at Ferris our goal is to promote our product in a way that makes it accessible and easy to find.

Production:

Our team will grow its production volume to meet the needs that we will continue to create. As the needs increase we will continue to meet those needs in a modest way to ensure that we keep up with the demands of high tech products.

Finances:

Our goal is to finance our investments mostly through the issuing of stock and our earnings and bond offerings only if necessary.  As we become an established company we will create a dividend policy and retire stock. We seek to avoid debt in order to allow for greater gains. We will attempt to maintain an assets/equity between 1.5 and 2.0.

BUS 499, Business Strategy and Policy

Dave Quirk

P103

1 – 3 PM

Return to schedule

David Carrasco

Christ’s Ascension

My capstone project will inspire individuals to reflection based on the understanding of the relevance of Christ’s ascension to today’s world. I will focus on three main events that make up the ascension as a whole: The Word blesses us, we, as disciples, worship Him, we recognize the great joy in Christ and praise Him. Knowledge of these events, while the event itself remains a mystery because of its indescribable characteristics, will be expounded upon by the study of biblical, historical and theological references. Special attention will be paid to the actions of the disciples directly after Christ’s ascension into heaven.

MUS 499, Capstone

Karen De Young

Banquet Room, poster #2

10 AM – Noon

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Chloe Combs & Joseph Laurendeau

Redefining Communication and Education Through Storytelling and the Arts.

The majority of the world’s population identify as oral learners, meaning they more effectively understand and exchange information by means other than reading and writing. Despite this fact, oral communication has become a lost art over the years. Education systems and daily human interaction have come to rely on technology and print communication almost exclusively. This presentation focuses on the power and importance of orality-based communication, and addresses the benefits and validity of storytelling and the arts in education.

CM 499, Capstone

Terry O’Casey

P114

10 – 10:30 AM

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Michelle Fletcher

Dental Caries: A review of pathogenesis and genetically linked predispositions

Bacteria are small unicellular organisms that can cause an array of human diseases. They can take on a variety of shapes and sizes and can infect through many different modes of transfer. Streptococcus mutans is a spherical, Gram-positive bacterium that is responsible for causing dental caries. This disease is characterized by the breakdown of calcified tooth tissue, and is known more commonly as “cavities”. Studying and understanding the pathogenesis of a disease such as dental caries is helpful for medical professionals to recognize and treat the disease.

Besides understanding the exact mechanisms through which S. mutans invades and infects, it is also worth exploring any genetic predispositions for dental caries. The completion of the Human Genome Project has allowed researchers to sequence complete human gene extracts. With this information, researchers have been able to determine which genes and proteins are responsible for resistance or susceptibility to caries. Alterations to protein expression can lead to modifications in enamel structure, immune response, and sugar metabolism. Any of these modifications make one increasingly susceptible to disease.

Understanding pathogenesis and knowing genetic risk factors for diseases are two powerful weapons in combatting against them. Preventative measures should be taken when fighting against dental caries. Vaccines have been developed with some success, but perhaps the greatest method of prevention rests in low sugar diets and the daily practice of brushing.

BIOL 499, Capstone

Paul Allee

P103

10 – 10:30 AM

Return to schedule

Marya Gogoleva, Jack Hackman, Lisa Ham

Capstone/Team Andrews

We strive to be a Cost Leader within our industry with a focus on Product Lifecycle and to create reliable products for mainstream customers. Our, Product Lifecycle Focus will allow for a healthy balance between high tech and low tech products. Our goal is to provide our customers with reliable and reasonably priced electronic sensors.

BUS 499, Business Strategy and Policy

Dave Quirk

P103

1 – 3 PM

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Colby Hanson

Crossing the Finish Line the Wrong Way

Physical appearance is often the first source of information that people gain when seeing/meeting others for the first time. This study observed what happened when this wasn’t the case. Participants were shown a story about someone before seeing a picture of that person. Results found that showing a negative story about someone attractive, and then showing a picture of that person, significantly decreased the perceived attractiveness of the person compared to uninformed ratings. When an unattractive person was paired with a positive story, and an average looking person was paired with a neutral story, there were positive, but insignificant changes in the perception of attractiveness.

COMM 499, Capstone

Doyle Srader

P003

1 – 1:30 PM

Return to schedule

Lori Hawley

Music Industry

My capstone is a recording project that highlights the process of a sound engineer and all steps involved in creating a professionally produced song. After the planning process is conducted the recording and collaboration then takes place in the studio followed by editing the vocals. Using my knowledge of music theory, along with my piano lessons I plan to create a soundscape of sounds in addition to the vocals. I will then play and record a variety of live and virtual instruments into the project. The next step involves editing the recordings, followed by mixing and mastering the song.

MUS 499, Capstone

Karen De Young

P114

11 – 11:30 AM

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Bill Helmer, Tanner Nelson, Alexis Wilks

Team Baldwin Mission Statement

Premium products for the industry: our brands withstand the test of time. Our stakeholders are customers, stockholders, management, and employees. We are unique because we will not limit ourselves to one type of product. We will broaden our possibilities by offering products in both the high and low tech fields. Our goal is to maintain and grow our client base by offering quality products at a reasonable price to as many people as possible. Our Strategy is to be a Broad Differentiator.

Tactics

Research & Development: We will keep our existing product line, and introduce at least one more line, maintaining a presence in both segments. Our goal is to offer customers products that match their ideal criteria for positioning, age, and reliability.

Marketing: Our company will spend aggressively in promotion and sales in both segments. We want every customer to know about our superb designs, and we want to make our products easy for customers to find. We will price at a premium.

Production: We will grow capacity to meet the demand that we generate. After our products are well positioned, we will investigate modest increases in automation levels to improve margins, but never at the expense of our ability to reposition products and keep up with segments as they move across the perceptual map.

Finance: We will finance our investments primarily through stock issues and cash from operations, supplementing with bond offerings on an as needed basis. When our cash position allows, we will establish a dividend policy and begin to retire stock. We are somewhat adverse to debt, and prefer to avoid interest payments. We expect to keep assets/equity (leverage) between 1.5 and 2.0.

BUS 499, Business Strategy and Policy

Dave Quirk

P103

1 – 3 PM

Return to schedule

Kenny Kessler

Beacon Bolt Highlights

A presentation of four different pieces I wrote for the Beacon Bolt during the 2015 school year. Brief summary of my major (English) and career goals. Account of time spent writing for the Beacon Bolt. Pieces bear significance not only as individual products but also as collective whole. Collectively, the body of work encompasses the topics which I have the most passion for writing on, namely current events, history, community, politics, sports, entertainment, and religion, all from an opinion position. As individual works, each piece embodies different specific parts from the aforementioned list. The UCC article is religious, community, and current events focused . The Cross Country article is centers on sports and entertainment. The article about historical figures and opinions is both historical and community oriented. The dialogue and taboo article is primarily political. Purpose and function of each article will be elaborated on individually. Any questions following the presentation will be answered.

ENG 499, Capstone

James Watson

P114

10:30 – 11 AM

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Katarina Maciel

Societal Perceptions of Intimate Partner Rape

Within our society, rape has not been viewed as a prominent concern. Despite the statistics on the prevalence of rape, societal beliefs have until recent years allowed marital rape to persist legally across the United States. The rape culture that exists across the nation has influenced the treatment of both rape victims and offenders. Victims of intimate partner rape are unlikely to report an attempted or completed rape due to societal beliefs surrounding this topic. The post-traumatic experiences of victims and perpetrators of intimate partner rape are heavily influenced by the erroneous beliefs which society holds, known as rape myths. These include minimizing the severity of a rape and placing blame on rape victims. Rape myths distort legal and societal judgments regarding both victims and perpetrators of intimate partner rape. An individual’s endorsement of hostile and benevolent sexist beliefs influence the way in which he or she perceived instances of rape. Those who held sexist beliefs endorsed rape myths more than those who did not. In terms of the criminalization of perpetrators, intimate partner rape perpetrators were given less severe sentences than perpetrators of stranger rape. Conversely, victims of intimate partner rape experienced more shame and guilt than victims of stranger rape. Victims of intimate partner rape are negatively affected by societal perceptions of rape. Crimes labeled, “intimate partner rape,” were seen as less traumatic than experiences of stranger rape. The decision of a victim to disclose a rape event to a support provider is determined by the victim’s perception of how this individual may react to hearing about the rape. Researchers reported that societal beliefs must be changed by means of educating the public and increasing awareness of intimate partner rape. Future directions for research include investigating the viewpoint of perpetrators of intimate partner rape.

IDS 499, Capstone

Mary Ann Winter-Messiers

P003

2:30 – 3 PM

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Emily Sanders

Engaging Students at the Junior High Level: How to Overcome Biological Hindrances to Learning and Foster a Prosperous Classroom Environment for a Student’s Ultimate Success

In the teenage years, as one undergoes puberty, many biological changes are occurring. In order, to understand how to teach students at this level, teachers should be aware of how their brain works and the ways in which they learn. Taking a look at the process of myelination and examining different hormones, grasping the effects of poverty on the brain, and seeing how those with disabilities differ in the learning process provides insight into the effects on learning. In schools today there are various types of learners. Some learn through visual means, some auditory, and some kinesthetic. Through understanding these types of learners, a teacher can construct a classroom that accommodates students and pushes them to their highest potential. With the background knowledge of brain structures and functions, it becomes easier to limit distractions in the classroom, build lesson plans which collaborate and invent, and enforce classroom structure and discipline. This also informs how technology is used in the classroom and what type of relationship a teacher should have with students. All of these components construct a complete view of how a classroom can cater towards students and assist them to reach success, no matter the biological hindrances.

BIOL 499, Capstone

Paul Allee

P103

10:30 – 11 AM

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Chelsea Stone

Substance Abuse and Intimate Relationships

Substance abuse disorder is a mental health issue, which has a significant impact on an individual and their intimate partner. If one or both intimate partners abuse substances, relationship quality and functioning are negatively affected. Further, studies reveal that couples in which one or both intimate partners are abusing drugs or alcohol are at a higher risk for intimate partner violence than couples who do not abuse drugs or alcohol. Effective treatment options for the individual with a substance abuse disorder need to equip the individual with effective tools and resources to increase relationship quality and functioning with their intimate partner.

PSY 499, Capstone

Nani Skaggs

P114

1 – 1:30 PM

Return to schedule

Emily Sutherland

The Benefits of Breastfeeding

In past years, breastfeeding was not seen as an important practice for new mothers, but researchers have found that it may have many positive effects on a child later in life. Wet nursing, feeding, and the use of formula were all feeding practices of the past some are still practiced today, but a mother’s breast milk may be ideal food for infants. This presentation addresses four researcher themes on the benefits of breastfeeding, including how it may positively affect a child’s cognitive and language development, prevent obesity, reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and strengthen an infant’s immune system. Researchers have found that babies who were exclusively breastfed were more likely to achieve higher levels of language capacity as well as language fluency at a young age. Babies who were breastfed were also more likely to remain at a healthy weight as they grew, as opposed to babies who were not breastfed. SIDS is also a concern for parents, but researchers have found that if a baby is breastfed, a mother’s breast milk gives the baby nutrients that may prevent illnesses that can cause SIDS in infants. One important factor of breastfeeding is the duration of breastfeeding. Breastfeeding duration may positively affect the overall health of the infant. Future directions for research include investigating the psychological development of breastfed infants in comparison to infants who are not breastfed.

PSY 499, Capstone

Mary Ann Winter-Messiers

P003

1:30 – 2 PM

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Nathan Sutherland

Todah as Communion

Communion is likely one of the most important things that many churches in the world today simply view as a quick practice that is more of an afterthought than something that is central to the life of the believer and the church. However, recapturing the authentic vision that Jesus had for the Eucharist is vital in understanding more fully the life that he wants us to participate in with him. In the church today, it is difficult to pin down exactly what communion is. While most people would agree that communion is the partaking of bread and the drinking of wine to remember what Jesus has done for us on the cross, the practical way that is played out in churches across the world looks drastically different everywhere.

How can we recapture the authentic vision for communion that Jesus undoubtedly had in mind when he instituted it as a practice in the upper room with the disciples in Matthew 26? In order to answer this question, we must look at three aspects of communion. First, we must look at the history of communion, not only in the church, but also in what Hebrew traditions Jesus implemented communion around. Secondly, we must look to the theology of what happened in the upper room when Jesus instituted communion to understand what Jesus intended for communion to look like in practice for his followers. Thirdly, we must take what we learned from the history and theology of communion to know how to successfully integrate it into the practice of church today.

BTM 499, Capstone

Dennis Lindsay

2:30 – 3 PM

P114

Return to schedule

Chelsea Taylor

Recidivism of Sex Offenders

Many believe sex crimes to be one of the most despicable and brutal crimes an individual can both commit and experience. Sexual offenses violate the most intimate part of a person, violating physically, emotionally, mentally, and sexually. It is often falsely believed that the rate of recidivism for sex offenders is higher than the average crime, due to its oftentimes violent and invasive nature. Due to this belief, sex offenders are often stigmatized by the public, even upon releasement. In order to understand the recidivism of sex offenders, this presentation will gather information from researchers who explored elements which show promise in reducing their rate of recidivism. This will then prevent future sex crimes, thus reducing the number of victims and leading citizens to become more productive. Despite the stigma and other obstacles which increase the likelihood of recidivism, researchers pinpointed possible elements which indicated reduced recidivism rates. Those elements include purposeful sentencing, rehabilitation and therapy, and reintegration techniques. Understanding what perpetuates sex offender recidivism as well as developing tools in order to prevent recidivism, the anticipation is fewer sex crimes, thus, fewer brutal violations of innocent men, women, and children.  Future directions for research and victim impact will also be addressed.

PSY 499

Mary Ann Winter-Messiers

P003

2 – 2:30 PM

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Cassidy Winters

Food and People: a Review of the Western Diet and Implications for Human Health

The need for food is something that all humans have in common and is something that has not changed since we have started walking the Earth. What has shifted, however, is the way that we obtain food. Immense change has occurred at various levels of the food chain, from the crops grown, to raising meat, all the way to how we eat. Known as the “western diet” our way of eating today looks far different from our hunter-gatherer days, with highly processed foods full of refined sugar, fat, and grains comprising over half of our energy intake. With the emergence of the western diet phenomenon, so have “western diseases”, which are understood to be noninfectious chronic diseases common to developed societies, including type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and various types of cancer, not to mention obesity.  Wherever people have shifted towards a westernized way of eating, western diseases have seemed to follow. As eating and food becomes more simplified, it seems that our health continues to get more complicated.

BIOL 499, Capstone

Paul Allee

P103

11 – 11:30 AM

Return to schedule

Calvin Anderson

The Injustice of Youth Homelessness

Homeless youth are typically between the ages of 12-24. Youth are homeless for a number of reasons, including aging out of the foster care system, getting kicked out of their homes, running to the streets due to abusive home lives, addictions to drugs and alcohol, and growing up in homeless families. Youth must learn to survive on the street, leading many to engage in risky behaviors such as survival sex and crime. Local to Eugene, there are hundreds of homeless youth, and thousands of homeless individuals. Nationally, there are millions. Youth homelessness is one of the greatest injustices in the 21st century. Society, specifically Jesus followers, must come together to help get homeless youth off the streets permanently. Jesus was near to the poor, and we must also be near to the poor. Although there are many long term remedies to helping homeless youth discover life, one immediate remedy is to teach them social skills and give them joyful experiences in community outings. Community outings are about reconciling youth back to society in a fun way, while teaching them vital life skills that will aid their future.

CM 499 Capstone

Terry O’Casey

PFB 114

11:00 – 11:30 AM

Back to the schedule

Kendall Bergsten

Management and Successful Sports Programs

For this project, a study was conducted on how to run a successful college sports program. The Interdisciplinary Studies degree has three legs. The three legs focused on for this study were Business, Marketing, and Psychology. All three of these areas are essential in running a successful college sports program. It is essential for a coach to be able to run their team, schedule practice and practice plans, budget for the entire year, and hire the right coaching staff. From a marketing standpoint, it is important for coaches to be able to recruit the right players for their program as well as recruiting loyal fans to cheer the team on. Lastly, from a psychology standpoint, it is important to find the style of coaching that works best for players and learn the best way to motivate players by bringing out the best in them on and off the court. By studying current and past successful coaches, one can gain insight on the best methods that have worked for other coaches and personalize those methods. The coaches being studied included Russ Rose and John Dunning who are extremely successful coaches within the volleyball world. Pat Summit was extremely well known within basketball as well as John Wooden. Lastly, Nick Saban has a reputation for being one of the best college football coaches of all time. By studying these coaches, one has the necessary tools to run a successful college sports program regardless of the sport.

IDS 499 Capstone

Mick Bollenbaugh

PFB 114

10:00 – 10:30 AM

Back to the schedule

Bryce Branagan-Franco

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), which is also known as Runner’s Knee or anterior knee pain, is one of the most common overuse injuries in the lower extremity. PFPS is commonly found in individuals who are involved in high impact athletic activities, and is especially common in female athletes.Though it is known for being one of the most common knee injuries, no one has been able to specify its main cause. PFPS is normally treated by rest, ice, medication, taping, physical therapy and in severe cases surgery. Though there are many different ways to treat PFPS, treatment is not always guaranteed to work and can potentially end an individuals career in their particular sport or activity. This presentation will examine multiple studies, in order to shine light on possible causes of PFPS and will briefly discuss treatment methods.

EXSC 425 Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

PFB 103

Noon – 12:30 PM

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Haley Cochell

Compassion Fatigue in Counseling Professionals

“There is a cost to caring.” With these striking words, Figley (1995) exposed a darker side to the counseling profession in opening his chapter on compassion fatigue in counseling professionals. He assigned the term compassion fatigue to the counseling field to describe a set of adverse symptoms that professionals may experience in the course of their work. Researchers have demonstrated that some compassion fatigue symptoms are comparable to those of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (e.g., intrusive thoughts, hypervigilance, nightmares, migraines). Researchers have also identified the development of self-doubt as a recurrent symptom of compassion fatigue, e.g., over half the participants in one study reported signs of self-doubt. Conversely, many professional counselors report confidence-building personal outcomes derived from their professional engagement with clients, e.g., satisfaction, fulfillment, and other positive emotions or responses; these positive outcomes are known as compassion satisfaction. Researchers have recognized the positive role of compassion satisfaction in the lives of professional counselors; compassion satisfaction may buffer the adverse effects of compassion fatigue. Moreover, researchers have found evidence to support several protective factors that professionals may use to prevent or address compassion fatigue in a healthy manner. There is critical need for further study of compassion satisfaction, as well as exploration of the impact of gender and racial/ethnic differences and religious/spiritual commitment on the experience of compassion fatigue in counselors. Such studies may aid professionals in taking care of themselves so that they may continue to provide caring and effective services for their clients.

PSY 499

Mary Ann Winter-Messiers

PFB 103

1:30 – 2:00 PM

Back to the schedule

Trevyn DuBois

The Effects of Dog Owner’s Personality on Dog Behavior

The bond between dogs and people is well documented. Many different factors can affect this important relationship, which could include a variety of different aspects of dog behavior as well as human behavior. In the current study, the link between owner personality traits, specifically extraversion and neuroticism, and dog behavior was measured. Twenty-three dog-owner dyads were recruited from a local area pet store. Participants completed a Big Five personality traits scale that measured extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Participants were asked to get their dogs to sit using only commands (no food or physical manipulation were allowed). The number of commands given and the latency to sit were recorded. There was no relationship between owner’s extraversion and number of commands needed for the dog to sit, but there was a statistically significant negative correlation between dog’s latency to sit and owner’s neuroticism. Those dogs that took less time to sit had owners who scored higher on the neuroticism trait. Particular owner personality traits do appear to play a role in dog behavior.

PSY 499 Capstone

Nani Skaggs

PFB 103

1:00 – 1:30 PM

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Macie Gale

Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Methods of Concussed Football Players

Of all sports played in the US, American football is the sport associated with the greatest number of traumatic brain injuries, and also has the largest number of participants. However, due to players’ reluctance to admit concussion, these statistics may even be underestimated. In order to fully understand this epidemic one needs to consider the biomechanics involved in the injury. This presentation aims to explain the biomechanics of concussion, shine light on the incidences of reoccurring injuries, and will conclude with modern rehabilitation techniques.

EXSC 425 Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

PFB 103

11:30 AM – Noon

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Alleya Harris

The Effect of Lower Limb Biomechanics on Lower Back Pain

Link theory states that structures further from the ground (such as the hips and back) are affected by the lower limb’s structure and ability to handle force efficiently. It is this theory that fuels the model for low back pain (LBP) which implicates the feet in causing biomechanical disruptions that lead the back to hurt. However, the research published about this theory is vastly divergent. For the sake of this discussion, three different views are singled out. The first is in support of the model that the feet cause LBP based on evidence from trials performed in practical treatment settings. The second also affirms the model although more cautiously. In this case the evidence comes from studies done in laboratory settings. The third negates the model based on studies performed in laboratory settings that provide evidence that clearly disproves any correlation. This presentation aims to give an encompassing view of the topic by including representative research supporting each of the different viewpoints and also to reveal that, in the end, each individual’s case is different and needs to be thoroughly evaluated.

EXC 425 Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

PFB 103

10:00 – 10:30 AM

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Garrett Kraal

The Biomechanics of the Running Gait and Hamstring Injuries

Different types of hamstring injuries can be seen in many different sports and activities, sports such as track and field, soccer, football and rugby are the leaders amongst them. The prevalence and occurrence of hamstring muscle injuries can be very frustrating due to their prolonged effects, slow rehabilitation and high re-occurrence rates. There is much controversy surrounding the question why hamstring injuries display these attributes. Gait analysis can help us understand the hamstring muscle complex a little better. Gait analysis methods have enabled us to prevent muscle injuries and improve post-injury rehabilitation methods. The purpose of this talk is to investigate the anatomical/biomechanical characteristics of the hamstring muscle complex (HMC) using gait analysis. The presentation will explain where and when in the gait cycle hamstring injuries are likely to occur, the types of contractions taking place, quadriceps/hamstring torque ratios in reference to the HMC, as well as running economy.

EXSC 425 Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

PFB 103

10:30 – 11:00 AM

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Kayla Morgan

Philosophy and Care of the Soul

In any society, there is evidence that supports the notion that humans are susceptible to suffering whether it be physically, mental, or spiritually. However, as many ancient philosophers taught, philosophy could be the key to releasing ourselves from the oppressive weight that is called life. In essence, philosophy could become a therapy or medicine for our souls that could lessen our internal turmoil and external strife. In effect, Philosophy could become an effective therapeutic approach to doctoring our souls through the rebirth of beliefs and the liquidation of our inaccurate perceptions. In this presentation, different approaches to the therapeutic side of philosophy will be explored, as seen in different philosophical works. For instance, important thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle will be included as well as those individuals who represent major philosophical practices and thought like Stoicism and Epicureanism. Overall, the aim of this study was to better explore how one might change their beliefs, meditate on who they are, be mindful, practice a practical everyday philosophy, pursue knowledge, truth, and meaning, and ultimately care for their souls.

IDS 499 Capstone

Mick Bollenbaugh

PFB 114

10:30 – 11:00 AM

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Ana Ortiz

Obesity and Eating Disorders in Adulthood as Potential  Outcomes of  Trauma in Childhood

Childhood trauma is a continuous and prevalent problem in US society, creating a ripple effect in the physical and mental health of individuals later in adulthood. In 2012 alone, there were 3.4 million referrals made on behalf of children who were abused or neglected. Researchers have found that children who experience trauma, e.g., sexual, physical, or verbal abuse, and/or neglect, are more likely to become obese or develop eating disorders as adults. Sixty-one percent of American adults are considered obese, one in 200 American women suffer from anorexia, and two to three in 100 American women suffer from bulimia. Furthermore, researchers have found that the specific type of abuse experienced in childhood correlates with the level of severity in individuals’ eating disorders or obesity. Finally, the paper will present the findings of researchers exploring the role of Depressive Disorder in the lives of adults struggling with obesity and eating disorders.

PSY 499 Capstone

Mary Ann Winter-Messiers

PFB 103

2:00 – 2:30 PM

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Marsha Poischbeg

Subacromial Bursitis in Overhead Athletes

Shoulder injuries are extremely common in overhead athletes. One of the most common injuries, especially in volleyball players, is subacromial bursitis or subacromial impingement syndrome. This injury is accompanied by pain and a limited range of motion. However, if subacromial bursitis is not treated in the early stages, chronic pain and permanent structural damage to the shoulder can develop. This review provides insight into the mechanisms of this injury as well as treatment methods. These methods include steroid injections, taping methods and exercises that are be beneficial in returning the athlete to play at their full potential. The final piece of this review looks at preventative measures which can be taken to avoid such injury.

EXC 425 Biomechanics of Musculoskeletal Injury

Heike McNeil

PFB 103

11:00 – 11:30 AM

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