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 2021
World Changers: Social Justice at the Heart of Middle School Language Arts Curriculum, Mackenzie McClain
The Vitality of Monty Python’s Form and Message, Preston McKale
The Impact of Trauma on Parenting Experiences of Refugees, Mili Menon-Perez
Long-Term Venus Lander, Scott Miller
Development of a National Advertising Campaign for Tinder, Alexis Morris
The establishment and success of white wild indigo based on present soil bacterial communities, Megan Nippa
Environmental Justice Analysis of Drinking Water Policies in Michigan Cities, Annika Paldan
Anti-Police Movement Survey, Julia Peisker
A Project to Improve Rates of Vaccination against the Flu among Western Michigan University Students, Rohini Perera
Decision making and Covid-19 Attitudes, Noelia Perez
A Literature Review of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Research, Brindlea Peterson
MindState: A Capstone Project, Kyle Petronio
Analysis of the application of principles of motivational psychology in the modern workplace, Nathaniel Pfeiffer
Omi: Centering Trans Identities in Children's Literature, Hannah Powless
Increasing Diverse Literature in Classrooms: How Representation in Pedagogy Matters, Heather Price
Boundaries and Pleasure in Ovid's Metamorphoses: A Critique of Augustan Marriage Legislation, Nicholas Pryor
Class scheduling Web App, Anubhav Rawal
Long-Duration Venus Explorer, Ethan Reid
Media, Marketing, and More – How Social Technology is Changing the Face of Small Business, Lily Reynolds
Mental Health and Well-Being of College Students of Color, Raquel Rice
Changes in Food Shopping and Consumption Behavior as a Result of the Global COVID-19 Pandemic, Erin Richter
OIT Web App, Stanley Ritsema
Senior Recital, Clarinet, Jennifer Rogers
Hinging, Propping, and Latching Mechanisms for Sunseeker Solar Car, Zachary Ruppenthal
Design of a Full-Scale Plant for Plastic Pyrolysis, Hannah Sargent
Rotary Joint Sealing Surface Manufacturing Variability, Jonathan Scare
Development of a Questionnaire Focusing on Varying Perspectives about Autism, Sabrina Schafer
Comparing acoustic and kinematic measures of variability in adults who do and do not stutter., Olivia Scheel
Ethics of Neurocognitive Disorders, Jenna Schneider
Flexible EEG Sensors, Adam Schuhknecht
Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on CHHS Students, Macey Seal
Design of a Lubrication System for a CAViDS High-Speed Test Stand, Sachin Sharma
Autonomous Vehicle Camera Mount Application, Yuan Sheng Sit
Accounting and Sustainability: Cost and Benefit, Emma Smith
“Graduating Presentation: sunday”, Lauren Smith
Zero Waste Design Exploration, Rosemarie Soma
Temperature Scale Influence on Perceptions of Climate Risk, Chelsea Spaman
Should NCAA Athletes Profit off Name, Image, and Likeness?, Sydney Stefanick
NSAC Reflection, Lauren Sterling
"Woodburn, Texas: A Study in Southern Gothic", Katherine Stone
Potential for Transformative Change: Displaced Women and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, Ava Strasser
Senior Recital, Alexis Terrian
Alternative Suppliers of Radio Frequency (RF) Ovens for Crackers, Company Sponsor: Kellogg, Kaetlynne Teunessen
Intentionally Inducing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, Nolan Tews
The Impact of COVID - 19 on the Student Experience: A WMU Student Survey and Study, Henry Thiry
Reducing Stigma Associated with Mental Health at Western Michigan University, Erika Tuller
Investigating RF Oven Use in Kellogg's, Eliza VanZweden
Measuring Uncertainty Within the Sunk Cost Effect, Dylan Veenkant
Rotary Joint Sealing Surface Manufacturing Improvements, Amanda Vella
Exploring the perception of sponsored posts on Instagram, Mahek Verma
Healthcare Access Barriers and Proposed Solutions for Limited English-Proficient (LEP) LatinX Patients in Southwest Michigan, Carmen Vinkemulder
Long Duration Venus Lander, Aidan Wales
Integrated Marketing Campaign for Tinder, Sarah Whitton
AAF National Student Advertising Competition, Max Wicklund
Determining the Role of Gata3 Overexpression in Outer Hair Cells of the Mouse Cochlea, Katelyn Williams
The Impacts of Occupational Therapy and Assistive Technology in the Lives of Alzheimer's Patients, Hannah Wilson
Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on CHHS Students, Linnea Wood
Primary and Secondary Interventions to Address Common Female Reproductive Health Issues on College Campuses, Alison Yelsma
Musical Theatre Showcase: A performance journey and reflection, Alyssa Zamora
Theses from 2020
Influence of Reactant Stoichiometry on the Composition of Nanojar Product Mixtures, Ali Al Maamuri
Using a Progressive Time Delay to Increase Mands in a Child with Autism, Brielle Babcock
Organized Caudal Photoreceptors in the Medicinal Leech, Baylee Bancroft
Intervention Approaches and Potential Impacts of Nutrition Education in Youth Ages 3-14, Lauren Barnhard
Implementing AskMe3 Approach to Adult Learning Through the Kalamazoo Literacy Council, Hailey Beyer
Atlantic Abolition in the Borderlands: the interesting narrative of Mahommah Gardo Baquaqua, Alexandra Bicknell
Field Research Exploring Female Leadership Roles and Challenges in the Workplace, Grace Biddinger
Increasing the Echoic Repertoire of a Child with Autism Using an Imitation and Echoic Sequence, Rose Bridges
Graduating Presentations 2020: Six Point Convergence - "The Neapolitan Regional Lady Swimmers", Will Brighton
Interdisciplinary and Standards Based Curriculum Plan to the Theme of Fairy Tales, Alyssa Brouwer
Aerodynamics of Wind Loading on Buildings, Kayla Burch
STEM Teacher Database, Veronica Buss
Design of a Carbon Fiber Composite Monocoque Chassis for a Formula-Style Vehicle, Alexander Carline
Graduating Presentations 2020: Six Point Convergence - Inner Workings, Jasmine Clark
Adverse Childhood Experience Scores of Social Work Students vs. Non-Social Work Students at Western Michigan University, Grace Conrad
Anxiogenic Effects of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Adult Sprague-Dawley Rats, Catherine Conway
Paper Recycling Fiber Recapture, Abigail Cortright
The impact of vaccine coverage and exemptions on the resurgence of vaccine preventable disease: A review of the literature, Kara Costantino
Development of a Flexible Printed Paper-Based Battery, JustOne Crosby
The effects of involvement in religious practices on recovering substance users., Taylor Currier
A Comparative Study of Security Systems at O'Hare International Airport and JFK International Airport, Violet Dagadu
Periscopes: A Play Exploring Neurodiversity and Family, Noa Dahan
Analysis of Diet Quality of Pregnant Women in the WIC Program Using the Healthy Eating Index, Taylor Dale
The Effect of Pre-workout Supplementation on Fitness Assessment Tests, Kassidy Davis
Senior Viola Recital, Kennedy Dixon
Electron Repulsion Corrections to the Energy for the Ground State of Helium., Conor Doig
Pringles Chip Cooling, Austin Dosh
Housing Pre-Fabrication and Resource Optimization, Emma Dubensky
An Analysis of the Potential Impacts of a Points Based Immigration System on Specific Markets, Claire Dziewicki
Comparison of Pretreatment Methods for Cellulosic Ethanol, Michael Eaton
Steam Valve Thermo-Performance Analysis, Benjamin Evans
Effects of Biochar and Remnant Soil as Additives in Prairie Restoration, Jacob Evans
Social Work Students' Attitudes Towards Using Yoga, Alexis Freed
Providing a Safe Space for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma, Alexis Garcia
Future Teachers of Color: A Documentary, Sarah Giramia
The Effects of Music and Music Therapy on Inmate Behavior, Virgil Glew
Fundamentals of Business - Introduction to Information Technology, Joy Goldschmidt
Strategic Analysis of Knowledge Management Practices, Mason Gordon