The honors thesis is a time-honored tradition in the Lee Honors College. It is an opportunity for students to demonstrate to themselves and others the knowledge and skills they have developed during their undergraduate studies and honors experience. The general purpose of the thesis is to create a capstone work that reflects the expertise they have developed in their major field of study or interest.
Honors theses completed at Western Michigan University are entered into ScholarWorks. Some may be embargoed or restricted by the authors or we have been unable to reach the authors, so the theses may be only available from on-campus computers. If you are an author of an honors thesis and would like to make it available off campus or if you have any questions, please contact maira.bundza@wmich.edu.
Theses from 2018
Examining Social Pragmatic Communication: Evidence from Parent and Professional Questionnaires, Katelyn Adams
How To Help Kids Succeed - School-Based Programs and Social Mobility, Theresa Bell
Coping Skills, Samantha Blosser
Adapting "Gregor the Overlander" for the Stage, Wiegand Brian
An acoustic survey of Fort Drum, New York, for severely declining nocturnal birds, Sydney Brooks
Mental Illness as Portrayed through Art, Brianna Brown
The Context for an Undergraduate Research Program at Western Michigan University, Nathan Browning
The Effectiveness of Memory Aids in People Who Have Had a Traumatic Brain Injury, Bridget Bucaro
The Changing Geopolitical Dynamics of the Middle East and their Impact on Israeli-Palestinian Peace Efforts, Daniel Bucksbaum
Food: The Musical, Natalie Burdick
Impacts of Representation on Increasing Flexibility in Understanding Number Composition, Abigail Carr
Distillation Optimization in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Clayton Carter
Graduating Presentation, Tara Charvat
Saving the Earth with Behavior Analysis and Gamification!, Ling Ann Chen
Teaching Body Mapping in the Orchestra Classroom, Gretchen Clemans
American Muslim Women: Feminism, Equality, and Difference, Amber Coniglio
Impact of 2001 - 2016 Supreme Court Establishment Clause Cases, Nicole Cumming
The Rhetoric of Landscape: Through Oil and Water, Alexandrea Davis
Crafting Fear: The Horror Film Trailer, Courtney Dreyer
The Criticality of Transactional Cost of Control in Intrastate Conflict, Parker Fleming
Design of Force Versus Displacement Test Stand, Andrew Fritchley
Wishing I Was an English Major: A Collection of Creative Writing, Abrahan Garcia
Vaccine Refusal Dilemmas, Yessica Garcia
UAVs for Electric Utility Inspections, Sarah Gill
Comparisons Between Chinese and Japanese Characters, Ahmina Graves
Optimizing Frosted Mini-Wheats' Finished Food Cooling Process, Jessica Graves
Drag: The Herstory and Phenomenon, Avery Green
Structural Reinforcement of Streamline Tubing, Peter Grohs
The Litmus Initiative - Enabling Teachers to Recognize Domestic Human Trafficking, Bethany Hansen
Music Keyboard Based on Flexible Hybrid Electronics, Anthony Hanson
Party Identification at Western Michigan University, Melissa Heinz
Increasing Waiting and Turn-Taking among Preschool Aged Children with a Verbal-Delay Diagnosis, Alexa Hill
Meal Kits: A Box to Nowhere?, Lauren Hillsburg
Analysis of Opioid Hospitalizations in Michigan Counties, Stephanie Hook
Electromagnetic Radiation Shield for Spacecraft, Oseas Hudy-Velasco
Effects of Aging & Exercise on Production of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Protein by Fast & Slow Skeletal Muscle, Maria Jaramillo
Facilitating Emotional Regulation in Adults with Developmental Disabilities through Person-Centered Play Therapy, Otis Kemutambah
We The People, Anna Kietzerow
A Comparison of Frankenbrew and Traditionally Manufactured Brewing Equipment, Daniel King
Effects of Weak Magnetic Fields on Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation, Luke Kinsey
Implications of Theory of Mind, Feelings of Connectedness, Flow State of Mind Through Active and Passive Music Improvisation Experiences, Jessica Kociba
In the Beholding Eye, Rachael Kollins
Home Run Probability Based on Hit Distance and Direction, Tess Kolp
Improving the Pack Process, Jennifer Komorowski
Pack Process Improvement, Anna Konstant
Guide to Understanding Catalonian Dissent: From Proclamation to Referendum, Andrew Larkin
CIS 6400: Data Analytics Book, Rachel Larson
Mechanisms of Sleep and the Brain, Doungbagai Leo
Marketing Plan for West Hills Athletic Club, Loai Maddah
What's Wrong with the Tap? Examining Perceptions of Tap and Bottled Water at Western Michigan University, Lindsey Makos
School Shootings: A Nexus of Adolescent Masculinity, Bullying, and Homophobia, Jack Marsden
The Clothed Minded: Socio-Psychological Aspects of Dress Through Non-Verbal Communication, Cesia Martinez-Chavarria
Optimization of Toaster Pastry Icing Preparation and Application, Rebecca Martus
The Role of Social Media in Small Museums in Michigan, Kaitlin McGrath
Do Global Diets Affect the Rate of Type 2 Diabetes?, Demetria Meyer
The Effect of High Intensity Interval Training vs Resistance-Based Circuit Training, Matthew Monaco
Business Plan: Consulting Firm focused on Manufacturing Digitalization, Edward Mulford
An Examination of "Jock Taxes" Levied on National Football League (NFL) Athletes, Charlee Nichols
Speech Naturalness Before and Following Treatment in Adults Who Stutter, Alexis Novelli
Comparative Analysis of Impact of Ballistic Stretching and Dynamic Stretching on Power Output in Female Collegiate Dancers, Elisabeth Ohrnberger
Implications of Theory of Mind, Feelings of Connectedness, and a Flow State of Mind Through Active and Passive Music Improvisation Experiences., Samuel Panicacci
GDF-15 as a Biomarker for Glaucoma, Caylee Pattison
Ministry with Community: Analysis of public relations issues and proposed solutions, Sarah Piper
The Alaskan Experience: Providing Tax Assistance to Rural Alaskan Residents, Kayla Poole
Effects of Muscle Activation on GDNF Protein Content in Skeletal Muscle, Ramsey Potter
Design of an Electric Propulsion Thruster Breakout Box System, Ryan Powers
Land, Air, Sea, Rover (LASR) - Unmanned Vehicle, Gabriel Prescinotti Vivan
Consumer Perceptions of the Ocean Spray Cranberry Brand, Jill Puckett
A Written History of the Western Michigan University Department of Dance, Amy Russell
The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Blastema Formation, Marcos Santiago Figueroa
Affinities and Divergences in Existentialism as Represented in Camus and Sartre's Works, Brendan Sapato
Inter-professional Education: A Literature Analysis and Description of PACER Study at Western Michigan University, Kari Scholten
Do students feel safe on campus? A Policy Evaluation of the Clery Act, Amanda Sidwell
Mastication's Effect on Middle Ear Muscle Contractions, Madeline Smith
Where Are We Losing Them? An Exploration of Barriers to Buy-In of Higher Education Responsible Employee Policies, Danielle Snow
Positive Discipline as a Part of Effective Classroom Management, Allison Stevens
The Proton Veto Project at WMU/MSU, Justin Swaim
Compressed Air Systems Evaluation and Improvement, Lukas Swoboda
The influence of plant modularity on the defense against specialist insect herbivory, Jill Syrotchen
A Four Year Moment, Hannah Truckenbrod
Solid State Light Conversion, Jumana Turkistani
An Evaluation of Physical Activity Methods of College Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Justin Vagnozzi
Waxing, Waning, Waking: A collection of poetry and prose, Brook VanBruggen
Distillation Optimization in the Pharmaceutical Industry, Daniel VanZweden
Planning a Year End Formal, Anna Volkman
Optimizing Injection Protocols for a Plant Virus-based Transient Expression System in Tobacco, Stephani Walters
Lee Honors College Mobile Application, James Ward
Comparing RNA Interference Methods in Planarians, Gabrielle Watson
Real-Time Neuron Membrane Voltage Controller, Joshua White
Intercultural Communication in the U.S. and Japan, Annelise Wilp
Perennial: An Undergraduate Thesis in Poetry, Austin Wines
An investigation of the efficacy of corn cob hemicellulose as a gas barrier and dry strength agent on previously uncoated linerboard, Zachary Witherspoon
Kalamazoo FC Social Media Plan, Brittney Wojcik
The Implications of State Policies Regarding Funding and Accessibility to Planned Parenthood, Eboni Wooley
Theses from 2017
Implementation of a Biology Summer Bridge Program for First-Year Biology Majors, Madelyn Aittama
Energy Modeling of Production Line to Produce Baked Snack, Ibrahim Alnaghmoush