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 wmu-scholarworks@wmich.edu.
Theses from 2013
BFA in Dance Graduating Presentations: "From Where We Stand", Hanna Stangebye
The Effect of an Exercise Regimen on the Psychological Health of Parkinson's Disease Patients, Alexander Stephens
OBM Thesis Project: Composing an Undergraduate Thesis Manual, William Strong
Viola Senior Recital, Sara Sulecki
A Comparison of Caregiver and Speech-Language Pathologist's Ratings of Speech Outcome in Oral Cleft Clinic, Emily Swain
Treatment of Food Selectivity in Children with Autism: A Review of Literature and Introduction to Holistic Treatment Approach, Tara Swodzinski
Senior Voice Recital, Sara Tipton
Co and Cr Adsorption on Maghemite, Quartz, and Maghemite-Quartz Mixtures, Amy Troy
Examining the Effects of a Mirror on Imitation in Children with Autism, Chelsea VanderWoude
Identity and Gender Constructs in "Written on the Body", Paige Van De Winkle
Webmail Crisis 2012: A Case Study Analysis of the Western Michigan University Webmail Plus Failure, Matthew Vargo
Editor-in-Chief of the Laureate, Andrea Walker
Portraying Sense of Community through Communication: How to maximize the benefit of social media for a community agency, Julia Walter
Determination of Trace Metals, Volatile Organic Compounds, and Other Water Standards in WMU Drinking Water, Tyler Walter
Sisters of the Spirit: Black Women in the Civil Rights Movement, Terra Warren
Cultural Conflict in Medicine: A Moral Debate Between Paternalism and Patient Autonomy, Hannah Webb
Antimicrobial Studies with Derivatives of 1,10-Phenanthroline, Jackson Whitcomb
iSat: Self-Esteem Among the Trees. A Preadolescent Curriculum, Stacy Young
The Gluten-Free Diet: An Effective Treatment for Autistic Spectrum Disorders?, Susanna Zammit
"Improvisational Gestures", Molly Zebell
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Welcome to the Zoo, Sarah Zegree
Theses from 2012
The History and Evolution of Athletic Uniforms and Equipment 1800s - Present: Basketball, Baseball, Football, and Hockey, Emily Anderson
A Beginning Education in the Anatomy and Function of the Human Visual Apparatus for Grades 2-4, Evan Andrews
Incorporating Hispanic Culture into a Secondary Instrumental Classroom, Alexander Armstead
"So God-damned Far Away": Soldiers' Experiences in the Vietnam War, Tara M. Bell
Identification of a Furnish and Properties of aLayflat Poly-Extrusion Base Paper, Elizabeth Bishop
Mock Fashion Magazine titled "MAK", Heidi Bodell
Using TAG to Increase Play Skills, Melissa A. Boggs
Labyrinthesis: the Exploration and Construction of a labyrinth at Western Michigan University, Nathan D. Boyt
Spirit Link: Decorated Objects in Taino Shamanism, Morgan Butts
Simplifying Scholar Access - the Modernization of the Lee Honors College Website, Sean E. Chiplock and Jeremy B. Conley
Deriving Significance from the Capstone Experience, Christina G. Clark
Analysis of Commercial Wear-out, Kate L. Coombs
1.4L Turbo CAC and AC Condensor System, Matthew Cutler
The Physician Assistant Profession: A Handbook for Students, Jami L. Cynecki
Competitive Balance in Division 1 College Hockey: An Economic Analysis, Christopher DeCarlo
A Flexible Home Design For A Comfortable Lifestyle: A Case Study of the Effect of Universal Design, Meghann Balmer DeHaan
Incite, In Mind, Ashley M. Deran
Reconstruction of I-94 and I-69 Interchange, Andrew Dobbs
The Laureate Eleventh Edition, Bridget Dooley
W.W.A.D.D.? What Would Andy Dufresne Do? The Idea of Life After Death in the Shawshank Redemption, Nathan Andrew Edwards
Community Involvement as a Tool for International Policy: Realizing the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Michael D. Eriksen Jr.
The Creation and Implementation of a Free Day Camp for Children, Kayla Ernst
Economic Effects of a LIFO Reserve Rollover, Michael Eubanks
Student Attitudes Toward Older Adults, Anna Feenstra
Cost Accounting Applied to Farming in Southwest Michigan, Toni Fisher
Chester's Place, Kendra Flournoy
Carsharing Vendor Analysis, Amani Gaillard
The Health Care Debate and Health Care Coverage in the U.S. A. Today, Antonio Giraldi
The Roof With No Ceiling: Couch Surfing and the New Vagabond's Trek Through Nation-States, Cyberspace, and Global Consciousness, Kathryn Giroux
Nursing Informatics Competencies: Implications for Safe and Effective Practice, Hayes Greer
Free Verse: A Collaborative Honors Thesis Voice Recital, Stephanie Gregoire
Teaching, Writing, Writing Teaching: Reflective Journal Responses from Teaching ENGL 1000, Christine Hamman
In the Garage, Christopher James Hart
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle HVAC Optimization, Jessica Hartl
Disability Determination Services and the State of Michigan Media Project, Eric Hartstein
Perceptions of Insufficient Milk Supply in Low-Income WIC Women, Rebecca Heidarisafa
RPE and Mode of Exercise, Victoria Helmus
Theatre: My Undergraduate Experience, Erin Hemming
Media's Adverse Impact on Body Image in Girls and Ways to Promote Healthy Self-Image, Sarah L. Hepner
Graeco-Roman Bioi and the Gospels, Matthew L. Hillman
The Circumstances & Consequences of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of 1939, Tiffany J. Holland
Revolution and Democratization: Can Egypt Transition to a Modern Day Democracy?, Kristin M. Horitski
The National Hockey League: An Econometric Analysis of Attendance, Kendrick A. Hotte
Can Public Education be Saved? An argument for educational reform, Kathrine Hyatt
The Truth Behind Coach Jerry Sandusky Scandal: A Search for Answers, Tod A. Jaggi
"It Happened Just That Way": The US Historical Event Song Trend in Country Music, Emilee G. Johnson
Revolutionary Events: Jean-Paul Marat and His Role, Kiri D. Johnson
Using a Reinforcer Hierarchy to Increase Compliance and Skill Acquisition, Bertilde U. Kamana
Hydraulic Test Cell Power Recovery System, Peter M. Kanda
Navigating the Skills of Successful Leaders in Business and Sailing, Aras Karaitis
Navigating the Skills of Successful Leaders in Business and Sailing, Aras A. Karaitis
Consolidating the BRSS File System, Abbey M. Karlinski
Recital (Voice), Ema Katrovas
The Evolution of Brassiere in the 20th Century, Jolene Khor
The Impact of Whistleblowing Legislation on Developed and Emerging Markets, Catherine C. Koh
Literature Review: Cognitive Bibliotherapy for Depression in Very Old Adults, Whytlie A. Layher
Optimization of an Airboat Design, Adam P. Leppek
An Investigation of the Role of Experiential Avoidance in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Meaghan M. Lewis
The Adverse Effects Periodontal Disease has on Women, Jennifer Long
Insights of a WMU student into the particularities of non-profit organizations: Observations from cross-cultural experience in two organizations., Alyssa L. Lord-Hill
The Honogenization of Trombone Sound Preferences: The effects of a more global society on national styles, Alyssa B. Madeira
Activity Choice and Extinction Intervention for Escape Maintained Behavior, Ali M. Markowitz
Personal Savings in the United States, Samanatha A. Marsh
Mobile Device Security: Current Challenges and Existing Solutions, Hugo J. Martinez
Programmatic Music - Senior Flute Performance Recital, Stephanie Marzolf
"The Disappearance of the Jews": A Scene by David Mamet, Benjamin R. Maters
Improving Rapid Prototyping Through the Installment of 3D Printers in Automotive Companies, Kelly McCarthy
Psychosocial Factors Affecting Dance Auditions, Catherine T. McGrath
Where We Shall Make Our Home: the Dutch and English Languages in West Michigan, Cody J. Mejeur
Advantages and Disadvantages of Airline Mergers, Zachary H. Mindel
1.10 - Phenanthroline Derivatives as Potential Antimicrobial Agents, Marcus Moses
China and the Bicycle, Nicole Mott
International Real Estate, Jessica N. Nelson
Two Viable Ways for the U.S. to Raise Revenues: A Discussion of a National Lottery in the U.S. and Advertising on dot-gov Websites, Lisa R. Nelson
Tranen Von Regen, Corey Neumann
Neuromusicology and Combat-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury, Brittany Neuser