Stander Symposium: College of Arts and Sciences

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Sociology Senior Capstone Research Presentations: Exploring Food Access and Food Insecurity on Campus I

Kevin M. Gonzalez-Brito, Emily K. Graham, Nyah Howard

This session features presentations on original research undertaken by senior sociology students in fulfillment of their capstone requirements. Over the course of the 2023-24 academic year, students in SOC 409 designed and implemented research projects that explored food access and food insecurity on the University of Dayton campus. The papers in this session include an investigation into the factors that impact how undergraduate students access food on campus, a survey exploring how students define food insecurity, and an analysis of how socioeconomic status impacts students' perceptions of food access and insecurity on campus. Collectively, these papers contribute an exploration into factors that impact food access and an analysis of the complex ways in which undergraduate students at UD think about food access.
Sociology Senior Capstone Research Presentations: Exploring Food Access and Food Insecurity on Campus II

Caroline Anne Cochran, Julia R. Lindenschmidt, Allison M. Peterjohn

This session features presentations on original research undertaken by senior sociology students in fulfillment of their capstone requirements. Over the course of the 2023-24 academic year, students in SOC 409 designed and implemented research projects that explored food access and food insecurity on the University of Dayton campus. The papers in this session include an investigation into how faculty and staff understand the problem of food insecurity on campus, an exploration of how peer networks impact students' access to food and understanding of food insecurity, and an analysis of how cultural norms, stigma, and context impact the acceptance of free food on campus. Collectively, these papers contribute an examination into how the social and cultural context of our campus shapes understandings of food access and insecurity.
Sociology Senior Capstone Research Presentations: Exploring Food Access and Food Insecurity on Campus III

Kiya L. Gibson-Cornist, Candice Julia Kenard, Lucy K. Schuermann

Over the course of the 2023-24 academic year, students in SOC 409 designed and implemented research projects that explored food access and food insecurity on the University of Dayton campus. The papers in this session include an investigation into how student athletes access food on campus, an exploration of how commuter students access food, and an analysis of the food access challenges faced by students who have dietary restrictions. Collectively, these papers reveal the food access challenges faced by students in specialized and sometimes hidden populations, and the presenters offer insights into practices that could improve food access for these groups.
Solving the complexity problems of large-scale Kubernetes systems

Justen M. Stall

Autonomous Capability Team 3 (ACT3) at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) produces an artificial intelligence research platform called the Air and Space Force Cognitive Engine (ASCE). ASCE is distributed as a Kubernetes system with all of its necessary components included. The system’s deployment is a complicated process, and is currently done using the Helm and Helmfile tools. The design decisions made by Helm and Helmfile have raised concerns, so there is interest in finding a better approach.This project explores the complexity problems of large-scale Kubernetes systems. Existing approaches were researched, analyzed, and evaluated. The research concluded with a comprehensive comparison of various approaches, the identification of a few guiding principles, and a prescribed solution prioritizing those principles.
Sounding the Call for Change: The Role of Music in the March on Washington and Nonviolent Resistance

Nathan Raymond Glessman

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
Sound on the Spectrum

Sarah Katherine Theewis

This THR/VAR 250 Diversity in the Creative and Performing Arts poster presentation project requires each student to research and present on a topic relevant to the interdisciplinary fields of visual and performing arts through a critical multicultural and social justice lens that foregrounds the appreciation of diversity and enables the expansion of personal cultural competencies.
Spatial Volatile Organic Compound Analysis in Dayton's Aquifers

Isabelle J. Blackwell

Title on poster: The Relationship Between Volatile Organic Compounds and Census Data in Montgomery County, Ohio.

Abstract: Groundwater, a vital natural resource, faces increasing threats from anthropogenic pollution. This capstone project employs Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) for analyzing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and creating hotspot maps. VOCs, such as tetrachloroethylene, emanate from human activities and industrial processes, and undergo complex degradation pathways. This study, centered in Dayton, OH, aims to understand the relationships between VOC concentrations and environmental parameters (elevation, slope, depth to the water table, bedrock geology, and zoning). These linear regression methods will reveal contamination patterns, contributing to targeted remediation and management strategies.
Stakeholder Perceptions of Community Garden Features

Samantha S. Trajcevski

The presentation discusses the study on stakeholder perceptions and attitudes towards greenspaces. This is completed through the identification of different uses and features to maximize use of the space and stakeholder engagement in the community garden. Previous research shows that community gardens are a popular tool to address neighborhood revitalization, local food, and social cohesion; critical gaps exist in the body of literature. This long-term project aimed to address three such gaps in research. First, very few studies have focused on community gardens in minority and lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. Our research was located in the Dayton View Triangle neighborhood, which is 67% African American with a median household income of 35k. Second, previous research largely explores stakeholder perceptions toward established community gardens rather than their perceptions during the planning and design of a community garden. Third, very few studies have examined community-based governance/organizational structures that can ensure long-term sustainability. To better understand stakeholder opinions, we utilized a creative qualitative research method combining photovoice and interviews/focus groups. We conducted eight in-depth semi-structured interviews and four focus groups. Multiple interviewees agreed that the Dayton View Triangle lacks access to a green space. Most believed that a garden would offer social cohesion. Understandably, most participants were concerned about who would manage the garden after it is constructed, however, they believed that a garden club run by a number of passionate residents could offer a solution. Photovoice was an integral method to this project; picture-boards were posted in areas where stakeholder groups would interact with them. They were prompted to place stickers on features they wanted to prioritize. This method emphasized multigenerational design that accounts for diverse stakeholder uses, and highlights the memories, experiences, and expectations that attract stakeholders to community gardens. The findings also outlined the importance of co-creating the design of a community garden to ensure long-term sustainability. The research conducted aimed to help understand the desired features and necessary mechanisms that need to be established to build a sense of community, social cohesion, and attachment around a community garden.
Stander Inside: Presentations from the 2024 Warren Correctional Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program Course

Carina M. Albrecht, Peyton A. Allen, Tamara Tatyana Carter, Kimberly Alyson Cleveland, Camille Joy Villapena Delgado, Elizabeth Farrington Lehman, Katerina Grace Metheney, Abiageal Rai Newell, Brooklynn Lyndsay Nusbaum, Grace E. Okruhlica, Riley R. Patterson, Lucy K. Schuermann, Riley Kathryn Zaleski, Kailey M. Zarlinski

Students in the Warren Correctional Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program course have developed program and policy proposals to address a selected social problem. Student groups, composed of both students experiencing incarceration and those who are not, will present their ideas to intervene in problems such as poverty, educational inequality, residential segregation, and mass incarceration.
Students as faculty gender equity allies: Mitigating students' gender biases through short-term awareness-intervention and long-term research literacy training

Hannah P. Kling, Isabella Grace Thomeier, Veronica Anne Vasko

This project aims to investigate two interrelated questions as part of the 2023-2024 Gender Equity Research Fellowship (GERF): 1) Do gender biases influence the University of Dayton (UD) undergraduate students' evaluations of the credibility of gender related research? 2) If such biases exist, can SSC 200 (social science education) effectively reduce them? To answer these questions, surveys were distributed at the start and end of the Fall 2023 semester to SSC 200 students. The GERF research assistants will present the project outcomes as well as individual research they conducted throughout the year in relation to the larger project.
Student Songwriter Concert: Guitar Students of Jim McCutcheon

Cole Ryan Buschmeyer, Grace M. Caffoe, Anna Valerie Delaney, Megan Elizabeth Knapke, Reagan Marie Lloyd, Aaron M. Moen, Jack R. Prager, Allison Claire Shelly

Students of Jim McCutcheon perform a juried program of original songs and instrumental pieces.
Study of Transphobia in France

Lydia G. Andrews

This paper explores the persisting challenges transgender individuals face in France despite some recent legislative advancements. While laws recognizing gender identity have been enacted, discrimination and violence against the transgender community persist at alarming rates. Statistical evidence and real-life experiences emphasize the urgent need for proactive measures to ensure the safety and equality of transgender individuals. The paper delves into institutionalized transphobia, examining systemic biases within legal, medical, educational, and governmental frameworks. Although legal reforms have addressed some issues, recent cases expose the shortcomings in the judicial system and reflect the impact of institutional barriers on transgender rights. The discussion also includes workplace discrimination and limited access to quality healthcare, emphasizing the need for societal change, active intervention, and comprehensive legal reforms to create a France where transgender individuals can live free from discrimination, violence, and institutional hurdles. The call to action is clear: a collective effort is imperative to guarantee the security, rights, and dignity of the transgender community in France.
Survey-Based Research Project Led by Students

Jakob A. Burdick, Jonas Alfred Magoto, Marielle G. Mejia, Anjli Seoraj Ramharakh, Samantha Paige Wells

POL 207 is a research methods course designed for political science students. In this course, students are responsible for developing their own research questions, writing a literature review, establishing research methods, and conducting surveys at UD to test their hypotheses. This panel provides an opportunity for POL 207 students to present their research findings.
Sustainability issues in Brazil: the Brazilian Amazon and its indigenous tribes are in danger.

Alejandro Cazorla Granados, Chloe J. Klawon, Dasha E. Penas-Johnson

In the 21st century, our society speaks of indigenous groups as notions of the past, as steps on the ladder towards modernization. However, indigenous peoples and their collective identities are very much part of our present world, and we must advocate for their recognition and their rights. While there are approximately 370 million indigenous people spread all over the world, practicing distinctive traditions and holding varying beliefs, there is a single, irrefutable value found among all groups– their connection to their land. The United Nations informs: “They have a special relation to and use of their traditional land. Their ancestral land has a fundamental importance for their collective physical and cultural survival as peoples.” The Brazilian Amazon has the highest concentration of indigenous people in the world. Our group will be highlighting the Tikúna tribe which is the largest indigenous group found in the Amazon. We will explore how sustainability issues such as deforestation and mining have affected this group and others in the Amazon. Furthermore, we will discuss how socioeconomic, political, and social justice issues in Brazil perpetuate such harmful ramifications onto these groups and the environment. Finally, we will identify possible solutions to the problems that endanger both the land and the indigenous people of the Amazon.
Symbolism in Gold: Unveiling Ancient Egyptian Society Through Jewelry

Caroline Rose Curti

Ancient Egyptian jewelry served as more than just personal adornment; it embodied profound cultural and religious significance. This paper explores its evolution through key periods: the pioneering Badarian Culture, the reformative Middle Kingdom, and the prosperous New Kingdom. From faience beads symbolizing the Nile's vitality to amulets representing protection and resurrection, each era reveals intricate beliefs and societal values. The iconic Heart Scarab of the New Kingdom, crafted from gold and serpentinite, epitomizes the Egyptians' reverence for rebirth and the afterlife. Inscribed with passages from the Book of the Dead, these scarabs served as guides for the deceased. Through these artifacts, we glimpse the complex tapestry of ancient Egyptian civilization, where jewelry transcended ornamentation to become vessels of cultural identity and spiritual aspiration.
Text Analysis of Popular Music from the Past Decade

Jesse P. Devitt

Millions of songs, ranging from a multitude of genres, are released every year. And now, due to popular streaming applications, music is more accessible than ever before. This project explores the impact of lyrics on a song's appeal. Utilizing text and sentiment analysis, it examines the relationship between lyrics and song popularity. The data for this analysis comes from Genius. This popular online, user-centric media company provides the lyrics to millions of popular songs and the space for users to annotate and analyze said lyrics. Focusing on songs from the last decade (2010-), we aim to highlight the most frequent words and word pairs within specific genres through word clouds and bigram analysis, respectively. In addition, some of the more popular artists from the decade were isolated and analyzed via sentiment analysis of their lyrics, hoping to find correlations to song popularity via site views. This project possesses the goal of understanding the complexities within the modern-day music scene. With all the advancements in artificial intelligence, it's within the realm of possibility that a once artist-centric industry may shift over to big data, as so many other industries have in recent years.
Texting Frequency and Distraction Levels: A Comprehensive Analysis Among Young Adults.

Jahmia A. Bridges-Butler, Gift Oluwatosin Olalusi

This paper intends to explore the frequency of texting and its impacts on the levels of distraction. The existing scholarly research surrounding this subject encompasses various perspectives, including the impact of texting on education, knowledge retention, and driving performance. Studies have found a positive correlation between texting as a distraction and reading in the classroom, as well as a relationship between texting and distracted driving, accounting for numerous injuries and fatalities. This study intends to fill the gap upon these previous findings by addressing whether there is a significant difference between the frequency of texts on near miss accidents and gender. Additionally, exploring the correlation between the frequency of texting on getting work done and walking.
That’s Alright Mama

Jacob Russell Hausler

This THR/VAR 250 Diversity in the Creative and Performing Arts poster presentation project requires each student to research and present on a topic relevant to the interdisciplinary fields of visual and performing arts through a critical multicultural and social justice lens that foregrounds the appreciation of diversity and enables the expansion of personal cultural competencies.
The Angelus & Regina Coeli Prayers

Ella Germana Bach

The Angelus and the Regina Coeli are two prayers recited at 6 am, noon and 6 pm, the Regina Coeli being prayed in place of the Angelus during Eastertide. The Angelus is comprised of 3 sections with a Hail Mary in between, while the Regina Coeli has 6 sections ending in alleluia. Although the exact origins of both prayers are unknown, the Angelus is thought to begin from monks who prayed three Hail Mary’s in the evening at the last church bell. The Regina Coeli, comes from a legend where three angels appeared to St. Gregory the Great on an Easter morning, chanting the first three lines of the Regina Coeli. Both prayers appeared in manuscripts from the 12th and 13th centuries. The Angelus and Regina Coeli were approved to be prayed at the bells by Pope Benedict XIV in 1724 and 1742, respectively. These prayers represent multiple biblical passages and are tied in with the dogma of the Mother of God. The Angelus is especially related to the 4th Sunday in Advent while the Regina Coeli is related to the Easter season to celebrate the resurrection. These prayers promote feeling a sense of peace, joy and grounding as they plead for Mary’s mediation and reflect on her trust in God which Catholics aim to emulate. Overall, both of these prayers are very important to the Catholic faith and provide a way of meditation and a reminder of what Mary did for Catholics.
The Chipko Movement: Gandhian Philosophy in Action

Colin E. Meehan

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
The Chipko Movement: Voices of Indian Women Heard

Carla Pettiford

ChandiPrasad Bhatt, an environmentalist along with SundergalBahuguaand GuanaDevi, were the prominent leaders of the movement. Chandiin 1964, established the Dasholi, Gram, Swarajya, Mandal (DGSM), a cooperative organization dedicated to improving the lives of villagers; this included providing employment close to their homes in forest-based industries and fighting against flawed policies through Gandhian non-violent Satyagraha (firmness in a good cause, or the law of self-suffering). These programs were specifically targeted to women as participants which was a practical move since the women were the ones who gathered the wood, and water for cooking, and had a spiritual and physical relationship with nature that provided for their families daily. There was a synthesis created between practical field knowledge and the latest scientific innovations for the conservation of the environment and ecology in the region. This would be a sustaining practice that would change the way the forests were handled for decades to come.
The Christian Influence on Gandhi: A Systematic Review

Emma E. Clark

What is nonviolence — a concept, a mode of protest, a practice for modern living? This poster explores the ways in which nonviolence has been historically interpreted as "ahimsa," "beloved community," and as a way for practical and ethical thinking in our modern lives. We highlight the role of nonviolence as method and practice in historical and contemporary global instances that range from the farm workers movement, anti-nuclear protests, environmental green politics, and Dalit and Black actions towards representation.
The Driving Factors of Childhood Malnutrition in the United States

Jaelyn Sarah Nycole Manley, Morgan Taylor

When asked about a country with alarming levels of childhood malnutrition, would the United States of America come to mind? According to Hart Research Associates and Chesapeake Beach Consulting (2014), less than half of the American adult population considers hunger in the U.S. to be a large issue. However, when considering that in the year 2022, an estimated 13 million children in the United States struggled with hunger, it is shocking that the public is not more aware of such an issue (Child Hunger in America, 2022). The growing issue of childhood malnutrition in America is complex due to the various factors which contribute to it. Shining light on this issue, Feeding America identifies three primary drivers of malnutrition: diminished family income, the availability to afford proper housing, and the influences of racism and discrimination (Child Hunger in America, 2022).Furthermore, the CDC states that American students receive less than 8 hours of nutritional education yearly (Healthy Eating Learning Opportunities and Nutrition Education 2023). Khattak and Ghazanfar (2017) explain that a mother’s lack of nutrition education leads to poor feeding choices for their children.In this poster, we will discuss family income, access to proper housing, the effects of racism and discrimination, and lack of nutritional education as the driving factors of childhood malnutrition in the United States.
The Effect of Appearance on Judgments of Interpersonal Distance

Connor Nicholas Kuntz

This presentation will explore how we perceive the world and other people, and how our perception does not always match reality. Sensation is the process of collecting information about the world with our eyes, ears and other sensory organs. Our brains then process this information, and the result is our perception. It would be impossible to take in and process everything around us, so our brains select information to focus on and use shortcuts to make processing easier and quicker. This speedy, efficient processing allows us to quickly make sense of our surroundings and to interact with our world, but there are some downsides to using these shortcuts. For example, some mental shortcuts result in unavoidable and unconsciously biased ways of seeing the world around us. However, by understanding these biases, we can work to minimize their effects. My research used virtual reality environments and models of people to observe the effect of stereotypically threatening appearances on how we perceive the distance between ourselves and a person perceived as threatening. The hypothesis was that individuals who appeared more stereotypically threatening would appear closer than those less stereotypically threatening. While there was a significant difference in how threatening and non-threatening targets were perceived, our data found that more threatening targets were judged to be farther away than non-threatening targets on average. A possible explanation for this result is that seeing the threatening target as further is a signal to avoid approaching the target.
The Effect of Floor Stiffness on ACL and Meniscus Tear and Chondromalacia Susceptibility in Dancers

Katherine J. Moreira

Dance is a physically demanding art form, placing repeated strain on the joints and muscles of the body. Western dance technique emphasizes use of the lower extremity, resulting in a high volume of injury to the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Dance companies attempt to combat injury by installing low-stiffness floors in studios and performance spaces. These floors exert less pressure on dancers’ joints during intense movement sequences. The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of floor stiffness on dancers’ susceptibility to ACL and meniscus injuries and chondromalacia, specifically. Participants were asked about past and present dance training, floor type for all training, lower extremity injuries, and their path to recovery. The data were analyzed to find the frequency of dance-related injuries of each type, on both sprung (low stiffness) and non-sprung (high stiffness) floors. The results indicated that floor type does not have an effect on injury susceptibility in dancers. They also showed that of ankle, knee, and hip injuries, ankle injuries are the most common. A torn ACL and meniscus appeared in one participant, and no occurrences of chondromalacia were reported. Overall, the data show that ACL and meniscus tear are not common in low stiffness floors. Future research may investigate the effect of floor surface on lower extremity joint injury, as floors with high slickness may have a more immediate effect on dance injury.