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 2005
The Role of Nonprofit Organizations in the Public Policymaking Process in the United States: Advocacy and Implementation in the Social Service Sector, Hannah J. Gryska
Students with Limited English Proficiency in the Mainstream Classroom: A Guide for Teachers, Megan Haas
Eclipse, Jennifer Hall
Original Works Inspired by Biblical Texts, Aaron J. Heinen
Copywriting Portfolio, Jessica Hendren
Student Writer: On Writing What One Knows When One Knows Very Little (A Meta-Thesis), Kevin P. Hill
Aerodynamics in Baseball, Joseph R. Hopkins
Harvey's Hideaway: Patron Profile, Jessica Hummel
Be Everything We Say You Are: Teenzines, School Culture, and Readers' Perceptions of the Texts, Korin Isotalo
Here Comes the Groom: The Influence of Gender on the Planning & Purchasing of Wedding Cakes, Carrie L. Johnson
Investigating the Antipunishing Effects of Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in Pigeons, Lisa Jorgensen
Kalamazoo: The Performance, the Power, the Product, the Place, Lindsay Karthen
Celebrity Politics: Representations of Politicians in Newsweek 1980 and 2004, Jenna Marie Keedy
Radio Telescope Data Storage System, Daniel Kelbel, Zoheb Qureshi, and Matthew Starr
Developmental Systems Theory: A Search for Human Nature, Erin Kenzie
Music, Religion, and Athanasius of Alexandria, Jason A. King
Computer-Based Training for Manufacturing Measurement Tools, Jeana L. Koerber and Jennifer J. Parsons
Breastfeeding Policies and Employer Attitudes in the Hospitals of Southwest Michigan, Kayla Kryszak
The Taliban: The Factors that Led to their Rise and the Role Religion Played in Regards to Women, Kathleen Lamie
The Redesign of the Swimming Pool Bulkhead Moving Process, Megan Lamont, Alejandro Rodriguez, and Justin Vriezema
Effect of Addition of Ground Flaxseed to Orange-Bran Muffins on Nutritional Quality and Overall Acceptability, Tara Lassila
Mini Spanish Class, Stacey D. Marker
Design and Simulation of a Test Fixture for Pneumatic Valves, Ryan Mills and Nicholas Murphy-DuBay
An Integrated Marketing Communications Strategy for the Western Michigan University Ad Club 2005-2006, Trevor A. Moore
Anti-Immigration Policies for Students and Professionals in Science and Technology: A Voluntary Cessation of U.S. Economic Prosperity and Post 9/11 Security Initiatives, Shannon R. Napier
IMC Campaign for WMU Library, Mai Nguyen
Do Brief Seizures Cause Hippocampal Atrophy in Children with TLE? An MRI Longitudinal Study, Lori Nieboer
An Analysis of Service-Learning and Applied Anthropology, Danielle Nordbrock
La Cultura en la Música: Exploring Evidence and Implications of Latin American Culture in Piano Music, Maureen L. Osborne
Improving Mediation Training for University Resident Assistants, Nicole J. Postma
Running Out of Options: An Investigation of Stock-Based Compensation, Mark A. Powell
On the Irregular Colorings of Graphs, Mary Lynn Radcliffe
A Cross-Gender Comparison of Perceived Mathematical Ability and Appropriateness, Kathryn M. Rich
Changes in Nursing Student Attitudes Toward Mental Illness, Jared Rogge
A Study of the Teaching Methods of High School History Teachers, Ashley Sanders
The Bonn Identity, Katherine Schmidt
Past, Present, and Future Projection of Due Process Interpretation, Stephanie Scipione
Proofs by Mathematical Induction in Mathematics and Computer Science, Vinit Shah
Fahrenheit 451: A Teacher's Guide, Jaclyn Shurmack
How to Get to Madison Avenue from the South Bronx, Michael Shutkas
From Theory to Practice: Incorporating Philosophies of Teaching English into a Comprehensive Unit Plan, Nicole Smith
Eating Disorders: A Review of the History, Incidence, Causation and Treatment Models, Laura Spenceley
Women's Work: A Recital of Women Composers, Alexis Stark
Young Singles: A Look at the Grocery Shopping Preferences of a Unique and Underestimated Market, Survey & Analysis, Kelley Steinhofer
Shades of Rage, Judy Sykora
Les Différences Culturelles entre les Franҫais et les Américains, Shannon Takacs
Special Event Planning: A Fundraiser for the Miss America Organization, Kristina L. Talicksa
Special Event Planning: A Fundraiser, Kristina Talicska
Effectively Leading a Student Organization: Society for Excellence in Human Resources, Keri L. Tate
A Study of the Social Security System and Potential Reforms, Jessica Tecca
Media Relations: An Analysis of the Relationship Between Public Relations Professionals and Journalists, Lisa Tellish
Accounting Requirements in Corporate Finance, Norma Tomaszewski
The Morning is Better for Them: A Chapbook, Andrew N. Tyner
The Kalamazoo County Child Abuse & Neglect Council: Challenges and Opportunities, Wendy Vander Meulen
Multicultural Schools: A Place for Bilingual Education, Thanh Vo
Solo Violin Recital, Erica M. Wade
Teaching Pronunciation in High School Spanish Classes: A Focus on Vowels, Ellen Waisanen
Finding the Spark: Upton Sinclair's Attempt to Effect Social Change in The Jungle and The Goose-Step, Melissa A. Walker
Image Restoration and the "Black Sox" Scandal of 1919: Corrective Action as an Ideal Image Restoration Model for Professional Baseball, Zachary J. Walsh
A Collection of Poems, Thomas Justin Watkins
Marketing Research for Western's Panhellenic Council, Julia Renee Williams
It Happened at the Fair, Denise Wolber
Recycling in the Business College: A Study of Recycling Habits of Western Michigan University Students, Tanya Zarzecki
Theses from 2004
Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, Lorik Abdullai and Joseph R. Dunn
Potential Components of Time Personality: A Literature Review, Jane Ackerson
Face the Future, Katherine Anderson
Strategies for Developing Self-Determination Skills in Elementary Students, Keri E. Anderson
The Laureate: Exploring the Publication of a Literary Journal through the Editorial Process, Lydia Anderson
Aiding At-Risk Students, Jeremy Baldwin
Children Soldiers in Africa, Sabina Balos
How to Effectively Teach a Diverse Classroom: Success for All Students, Kristin Barterian
The S.M.E.D. System and How it Benefits Manufacturing Processes, Gary Berquist
Technology in the Middle School Mathematics Classroom, Amy Bessen
Electric Power Distribution Protective Equipment Enhancer, Kyle Brayton, Matt Hanley, and Julie D. Houck
Thirsty? A Study on Equitable Water Provision in Latin America, Lisa Bungert
Optimization of a Commercial Vehicle Brake Rotor, Brian Cavanaugh
The Potential Effects of the Trans-Atlantic Common Aviation Area on Shannon Airport, Ireland, Daniel James Centilli
An Evaluation of the Utility of Choice Assessments in Increasing Activity Engagement and Positive Affect in Elders with Dementia, Stacey M. Cherup
HIV/AIDS: Women's Knowledge, Their Perceived Risk and Willingness to Engage in Risky Sexual Behavior, Kimberly A. Cleary
Development of a Nurse Scheduling System, Dana L. Cochrane, Michelle Smith, and Tonya Zaborski
Through Irish Eyes, Sean D. Collins
¡¡Grita!! A Cultural and Critical Unit of Study for Advanced Level Spanish Students, Dianne Conn
Alternate and Hyper-Realities in Science-Fiction and Fantasy Literature, Jennifer Connors
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Effects on the Accounting Industry, Laura J. Courtade
Increasing the Use of Injury Reduction Techniques in a Hospital Operating Room, Thomas R. Cunningham
State and Civil Society Responses to HIV/AIDS in South Africa: An Anthropological Investigation, Sonya Datta-Sandhu
Identification of Chemical Compounds that Inhibit YopE Lethality, Greg M. Delgoffe
The Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) on Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the Developing Frog, Xenopus Laevis, Cari DeLong
"The H.R. Role in a Corporation" - A Reflection of an Internship at Domino's Pizza LLC, Karl R.H. De Nazareth
Environmental Education in Michigan's Secondary Curriculum, Diane DuBois
Globalization in Education: Striving for Peace through Artistic Expression in the Classroom, Kara N. Engel
Poetry Works in Progress, Adam Fairbanks
Military Vehicle Seat Energy Absorption System, Brandon Ferriman and Troy Flodin
Telerobotic Controller, Michael Fewless, George Slater, and Steve Waldron
Design and Construction of a Radio Telescope, Sean Fischer, Marie Maddix, and Ben Stegink
The Fundamentals of Growth and Value Investing, Justin C. Gayheart
Multicultural Education and Global Competency at the Elementary Level, Kathryn N. Giebel and Michelle K. Rimpel
Current Vs. Ideal Body Image Perceptions of Undergraduate Students, Abby Giffin