Discovery Day 2018

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Discovery Day Symposium

Program of Events

April 11, 2018

H J K L Z X C V B N M M N B V C X Z L K J H

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.Q , m n b v c x z ‘ ; l k k l ; ‘ z x c v b n mWelcome , .Q to Discovery Day 2018

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Thank you so much to all who contributed their time and effort

to make the critical difference for the success of the Discovery

y t r e w q c b A A b c q w e rProgram, t a keyy component of the Benedictine College experience.

Every spring semester, the anticipation builds: What have our students come up with this year? It is impossible to attend Discovery Day and not be proud of what Benedictine College is accomplishing in the lives of our students.

The true test for any academic program here is the mission of Benedictine College. The collaboration with faculty in a common academic project is the key to the Discovery Program, and essential to our mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

A b c q w e rI invite t the entire y College community to join mey in supportingt r e w q c b A Discovery Day. u I o p a s d f Presidentg Stephenh D. Minnisj j h g f d s a p o I u k l ; ‘ z x c v b n m , .Q .Q , m n b v c x z ‘ ; l k

W E R R T U Y I O P A S D Z Z D S A P O I Y U T R R E W

Discovery Day 2018 marks the twenty-third year of the Discovery X C V B N M < L a s d f g h j k l z x c Dayv Symposium.b n m Sinceq 1996,w more than 2800 w students q havem n presented b v c x z l k j h g f d s a L < M N B V C X or co-authored a Discovery Project, involving virtually all the E r t y u e r u I o p q w e r t y u I o p 1faculty 2 3and 4representing 5 6 all academic departments. 6 5 Discovery4 3 Day2 1 p o I u y t r e w q p o I u r e u y t r E ; 2018 will present 82 projects, the result of the work of 188 students, ; 52 faculty/staff, and 21 academic departments. The Discovery 6 7 8 9 0 Q W E R T Y U I O P A S S D F G H CommitteeJ K invitesL Z youX to join in recognizing ourX studentsZ L forK theirJ H G F D S S A P O I U Y T R E W Q 0 9 8 7 6 creative efforts being showcased today. Z X C V B N M a s d f g h j k l q w e r t y u i i u y t r e w q l k j h g f d s a M N B V C X Z

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Discovery Week is always the highlight of our academic year. For

months (or, in some cases, years) students and faculty have worked

y t r e w q c b A A b c q w e rtogether t to find y out something new about the world. Now they are ready to share their findings, and we all have a chance to learn something that no one ever knew before their project was under- taken. We are so proud, at Benedictine College, that we offer all of our students the opportunity not only to learn what others have discovered in the past, but also to add to what people will know in the future. Discovery Day gives us all the opportunity to see the fruits of this work.

The Discovery Program is an integral part of Benedictine College, and its benefits go far beyond the results of the projects you will see during this symposium. Original research fosters and strength- ens the curiosity and love of learning that are the foundation of a liberal arts education. Collaborative work develops the bonds of community among students and faculty that make Benedictine such a special place.

Through our commitment to developing students’ confidence in their ability to make an original contribution to our understanding of the world and how it works, we are preparing leaders who will know they can draw on their knowledge and creativity to face the challenges that await the future.

On behalf of the faculty and administration of Benedictine College, I encourage you to participate fully in the activities of this day. Special thanks are in order for the Discovery Program Committee and the Discovery Directors: their efforts throughout the year have A b c q w e rculminated t in thisy unique and exciting academic experience.y t r e w q c b A Kimberly C. Shankman u I o p a s d fDean g of the h College j j h g f d s a p o I u k l ; ‘ z x c v b n m , .Q .Q , m n b v c x z ‘ ; l k

2 W E R R T U Y I O P A S D Z Z D S A P O I Y U T R R E W

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H J K L Z X C V B N M M N B V C X Z L K J H The Discovery Program Committee The Discovery Program Committee is committed to the advancement of Discovery learning at Benedictine College. The committee’s responsibilities include encouraging and supporting faculty and students in their own Discovery activities, the awarding of Discovery grants, planning the Discovery Day Symposium, and designating the Discovery Scholars. Members of the committee for the current year are Ruth Krusemark (Music), Ryan Maderak (Physics and Astronomy), Bryan Park (Art), Virginia Winder (Biology), and Terrence Malloy and Julia Bowen (Discovery Program Co-Directors). Discovery Grants The Discovery Program committee awarded over $14,450 in Discovery grants to students this year in support of 37 Discovery projects. The 2017–2018 Discovery grant recipients are the following: Eden Anderson Anna Huber Maryrose Pokorny Will Argana Anna Jacobs Ayden Pugh Michael Baltuska Matthew Jarecki Gregory Reising Brittany Bosarge Matthew Johll Katherine Rich Lindsey Bottom Kayla Johnson Marie Rioux Madison Bowser Catherine Kistler Jenna Rudolph Matthew Branch Michael Klein Kelsey Runge Michaela Bretey Elizabeth Lademan Michael Salemi Nicholas Brose Maria Lanciotti Karina Scheller Adam Burke Adam Landry Anna Schreffler Brett Burke Katherine Lang Kelly Schuck Victoria Caranna Gabriel LeBeau Elizabeth Schuetz Katharine Caughron Jessica Linton Jude Severson Rachel Clark Monica Loesel Rachel Shaver Jacob Cushing Shelly Loosbrock Kasandra Short Michael D’Arcangelis Joseph Marak Natalie Smaron Michaela Dreiling Kristina Martell Sarah Starrs Thomas Dzurik Rita Maslanka JohnPaul Stedwill George Emrich Victoria Masucci Madeline Stella Lane Fry Matlin McFarren Brandi Strand Daniela Garcia-Perez Rachel Medara Nathaniel Strandquist William Giesen Isaac Meyer Benjamin Suhr Alejandro Gomez Andrew Miller Joshua Sullivan Madilyn Gothard Alissa Muggli Matthew Swoboda Ann Marie Guernsey Naomi Muggli Justin Tran Daniel Hayes Payton Murphy Hannah Voss Rebecca Hess Maryclaire Muskett John Waters Christopher Hilger Anthony Olimpio Melody Wiklund Katharine Hirl Christopher Palm Rosalie Wilkerson Conrad Hoover Eva Pecha Catherine Wittig Mark Horton MaryBridget Pecha Sydney Wolf Joseph Hrenchir Kolbe Poarch John Wostenberg 3 Discovery Scholars Last year marked the fifteenth year that students were honored as Discovery Scholars. This award recognizes students who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to Discovery learning while at Benedictine College. Awardees receive the Discovery Scholar Medal to be worn during Commencement ceremonies, signifying their exceptional contribution to the Discovery Program. In 2017, these seniors were honored as Discovery Scholars: Kira Alexander ...... Lawrence, KS Matthew Anderson ...... Omaha, NE Callie Baumberger ...... Colton, SD Natalie Cook ...... Adrian, MN Bienvenido Cortes ...... Pittsburg, KS Brian Curran ...... St. Louis, MO Hunter Eisenmenger ...... Norfolk, NE Alexandra Faraj-Musleh...... Ann Arbor, MI Andreas Fritz ...... Ripley, TN Galen Gossman ...... Shawnee, KS Shannon Groe ...... Littleton, CO Ruth Gross ...... St. Paul, MN Anna Hagenkord ...... Olathe, KS Rachel Hernandez ...... Colorado Springs, CO Elise Huntley ...... Wilmington, VT Kristen Hylen ...... Highlands Ranch, CO Krista Kosek ...... Ann Arbor, MI Graham Matlock...... Delafield, WI Claudia O’Connell ...... Bryan, TX Courtney Parker ...... Lawrence, KS Susan Pistek ...... Garner, IA Alexandria Schneider ...... Nortonville, KS Aidan Shaughnessy ...... Cimarron, KS Rachel Snyder ...... Front Royal, VA Laura Tibbs ...... Alden, IA Hannah Vogt ...... Blooming Prairie, MN Miriam Walski ...... Crookston, MN

4 Wangari Maathai Discovery Award When Wangari Maathai accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, she made her alma mater the only Catholic college in America with a Peace Prize winner among its alumni. She won the Nobel for her efforts to promote democracy, peace, and sustainable development and is the first Peace Prize winner to have an environmental focus. Maathai, from Kenya, came to the United States as part of the Kennedy Air- lift in 1960 and earned a degree in biology from Mount St. Scholastica College, now Benedictine College, in 1964. In 2014 the college marked the 10th Anni- versary of the Nobel ceremony by announcing the winners of two new Maathai Discovery Awards. Maathai passed away in 2011 after battling cancer. Since then, the College has remembered her in several ways. Her classmates from the Mount Class of ’64 planted a tree in St. Scholastica Plaza on the college campus, and in 2015 her statue was erected next to that tree. In 2014 Sister Helen Mueting, OSB, announced the first recipients of the awards, funded by a generous donor. This year’s winners of the Maathai Discovery Awards are Marie Rioux, Michael Salemi, and Hannah Voss. All three students are presenting the results of their research during today’s Discovery Symposium. Rioux worked on a project called “Green Energy, Pink Plastic, and Quantum Dots: Solar Energy Harvesting Through Luminescent Solar Concentrators.” Luminescent solar concentrators are promising tools that allow the harvest and transmission of solar energy using nanosized quantum dots. This project aims to improve the efficiency of the processes used to produce luminescent solar concentrators as well as the capacity of the material to capture solar energy once it is produced. Salemi worked on a project called “Exploration of Nickel Complexes for the Catalytic Production of Acetaldehyde From Ethanol.” This project aims to synthesize several nickel complexes that could act as low-cost alternatives to the metals currently used to produce acetaldehyde from ethanol. Acetaldehyde is used in the production of many common pharmaceuticals and disinfectants. Increasing the feasibility of producing acetaldehyde from a green carbon source (ethanol) could reduce the carbon footprint of these chemical processes. Voss worked on a project called “Period. Full Stop.” This project explores the impact of the misunderstanding and stigma of menstruation in developing countries, particularly African communities, and how these factors bar women from education and other avenues of self-advancement and equality. Each Maathai Discovery Award carries a $500 stipend for the student, and up to an additional $500 to complete the proposed Discovery Project. The award supports projects that focus on stewardship, sustainability, women’s equality, and/ or environmental justice. 5 Keynote Address Dr. Michael Dolski Historian, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency “Augmented Capabilities: Searching for Missing Individuals in a Team Environment” 1:00–2:20 pm, O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium Michael Dolski earned a BA in history from The Ohio State University in 2000. In 2004, he graduated from American Military University with an MA in Intelligence Studies. At that time, Dr. Dolski was employed as a declassification analyst on a contract for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. As part of his work duties, he deployed to Iraq twice in 2004 to help preserve, protect, and process for potential declassification U.S. documents. He earned a Ph.D. from Temple University in 2012. His focus area was American military history and particularly that of the twentieth century. His dissertation, “‘To Set Free a Suffering Humanity’: D-Day and American Remembrance,” explored American public remembrance of the Normandy landings in Northwest France, June 1944, in the Second World War. From 2006 to 2012, and continuing since late 2015, Dr. Dolski has taught a variety of traditional and online history courses at several institutions. In 2011, he attended the West Point Summer Seminar in military history. His 2016 book, D-Day Remembered, was nominated for multiple awards. He has authored or co-authored several books, including most recently Histories on Screen (2018). Since 2016, he has taught as an adjunct professor in the Military History program at Norwich University. Dr. Dolski started at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command’s Central Identification Laboratory, Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam, as a fellowship historian in 2011. He became a federal employee in 2013. From 2011 to 2015, Dr. Dolski was a part of the Laboratory’s Disinterment Project, eventually assuming the position of Project Lead. During that time, he was responsible for research on unidentified remains in U.S. custody accruing from either the Second World War or the Korean War. In 2015, he helped with the transition to the new accounting entity, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, and focused on solidifying the new disinterment process. In November 2015, he relocated to Arlington, VA, to join the Strategic Partnerships Directorate. This current assignment requires him to conduct outreach, negotiation, and project development with a wide array of external entities such as universities, non-governmental organizations, and private businesses. He focuses on historical research and analysis collaborative ventures as well as a range of field activities like archaeological investigations and excavations. In order to solidify the agency’s approach to partnership activities, and also to better take advantage of opportunities in the Pacific, Dr. Dolski relocated once more, returning to DPAA’s office in Hawaii in September 2017.

6 Discovery Day Schedule All presentations will take place in the Ferrell Academic Center unless otherwise indicated.

Continental Breakfast T 8:30 am — Napier Foyer (4th floor), Ferrell Academic Center T

Morning Sessions 8:40–9:35 M Poster/Exhibit Session #1 McAllister Board Room (4th floor) 1. First Light Astrophotography at Daglen Observatory Benjamin Bogner, Ayden Pugh, Ryan Maderak, Physics and Astronomy

2. Polyphony: Making a Manga Angela Hoback, Claire Nacanaynay, Benjamin Sonnek, Margaret McCabe, Matthew Caes, Theology

3. Effects of Reduced Tes-1 Expression on Cell Migration Mark Horton, Michaela Bretey, Mark Schramp, Biology

4. Promoter Replacement as a Method of Essential Gene Identification in the Human Pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii Jessica Linton, Madison Bowser, William Penwell, Biology

5. Understanding Functions of dedA and Virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii Joseph Marak, Catherine Kistler, Eva Pecha, Daniela Garcia-Perez, William Penwell, Biology

6. Morphing Metal and Elastomer Bicontinuous Foams Anthony Olimpio, Conrad Hoover, Lindsey Bottom, Scott Blonigen, Engineering

7. Thirty Years of Service: The History and Growth of the Totus Tuus Program Alyssa Patterson, Stephanie Baalmann, John Rziha, Theology

8. Identifying Fake News and Enhancing News Literacy Ellen Petersen, Julie Love, Journalism and Mass Communications

9. Mark and Recapture Field Study of Turtle Populations in a Scour Pond on the Benedictine Bottoms Jenna Rudolph, Katherine Lang, Elizabeth Schuetz, Terrence Malloy, Biology

7 10. Racial Integration in Atchison Schools Sarah Salter, Grace Stotzer, Joshua Wolf, History

11. Characterizing the Role of the BauF Gene A. baumanii 19606 JohnPaul Stedwill, Gabriel LeBeau, Payton Murphy, William Penwell, Biology

12. Usage of the Benedictine Bottoms Refuge by Antlered and Antlerless White-tailed Deer Before, During, and After Hunting Season Brandi Strand, Madilyn Gothard, Terrence Malloy, Biology

13. Wood in Concrete: A Study in Mix Design Benjamin Suhr, Scott Newbolds, Engineering

14. Computational Modeling of Ion Production in Titan’s Ionosphere Austin Windsor, Kent Wilson, Matthew Richard, Physics and Astronomy x x 15. Presidential Libraries and Active Citizenship in High School Students Elizabeth Clum, Annie Phillips, Sarah Tapper, Charles DeVillier, William Raymond, Political Science 9:45–10:05 c Room 109

16. The Behavioral Effects of the Plastic Bag Tax Catherine Francois, James Young, Economics 9:45–10:05 c Room 124

17. The Effect of a Classroom Pet on the Education of Pre-K Students Matthieu Gilme, Isaiah McBride, Amy Posey, Psychological Sciences 9:45–10:05 c Room 125

18. Economic Modeling of the Atchison Royal Cinema Benjamin Schutte, William Keiss, David Harris, Economics 9:45–10:05 c Room 208

19. Botanical Latin Hannah Dea, Elizabeth Ciskanik, Edward Mulholland, World and Classical Languages and Cultures 9:45–10:05 c Room 219

20. Thesis Defense of “In Their Own Image: Educational Origins of H.D. and Amy Lowell’s Imagism” Hannah Voss, Julia Bowen, Sarah Young, Susan Traffas, Andrew Salzmann, English, Honors Program, Theology 9:45–10:35 c Gangel Seminar Room

8 21. An Acoustical Study Matthew Johll, Michael Klein, Joshua Sullivan, Patrick O’Malley, Engineering 9:45–10:05 c Room 323

22. Artistic Possibilities of Sand Casting Techniques Alejandro Gomez, Bryan Park, Art 10:15–11:15 c Outside Bishop Fink Hall (weather permitting)

24. The Benedictine Bounce Back Annie Lind, Peter Hegelsen, Admission 10:15–10:35 c Room 124

25. Amoris Laetitia From the Perspective of the Laity Marisol Alicea, Anna Laughery, Matthew Ramage, Theology 10:15–10:35 c Room 125

26. Health Beliefs and Access to Care Among Residents of San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala Victoria Masucci, Michele Hinds, Nursing 10:15–10:35 c Room 208

27. The Japanese Prints of Mount St. Scholastica Rachel Pierick, Gabriel Ogle, Margaret McCabe, Claire Nacanaynay, Jay Wallace, Art 10:15–10:35 c Room 219

28. If I Die Before I Wake: Fear, Horror, and Religiosity Catherine Wittig, Thomas Dzurik, Sarah Starrs, Adam Buhman-Wiggs, Psychological Sciences 10:15–10:35 c Room 323

29. A School for the Lord’s Service: On the Value and Example of Cistercian Pedagogy Michael Nguyen, Andrew Salzmann, Theology 10:45–11:05 c Room 109

9 30. Pathway to Academic Success: A Study of Factors That Influence GPA Fiona Fitzgerald, Kayla Watry, Sarah White, Adam Buhman-Wiggs, Psychological Sciences 10:45–11:05 c Room 124

31. The Effects on Students With Disabilities Transitioning From High School to College Anne Donahoe, Alexandria Middleton, Lauren Berry, Anna Ward, Matthew Ramsey, Education 10:45–11:05 c Room 125

32. VBA and the Benefits of Coding in Accounting and Finance Fields Lillian Hoover, Brian Henry, School of Business 10:45–11:05 c Room 208

33. Privilege at Benedictine: Fact or Fiction? Rachel Medara, Melody Wiklund, Kelsey Runge, Rebecca Hess, Joshua Wolf, History 10:45–11:05 c Room 219

34. Italy’s Bad Debt and Banking Dilemma Noah Sattler, James Young, Economics 10:45–11:05 c Gangel Seminar Room

35. KayBak William Keiss, Brock Hess, Joseph Wurtz, Gregorian Fellows 10:45–11:05 c Room 323 d d d

11:15–12:10 T Poster/Exhibit Session #2 McAllister Board Room (4th floor)

36. The Antioxidant Effects of Protandim Eden Anderson, Will Argana, Michaela Dreiling, Matthew Jarecki, Kolbe Poarch, Martha Carletti, Biology

37. A Computational Investigation of the Properties of N-Rich Salts of 2-Methyl-5-Nitraminotetrazole Joseph Barnes, Gail Blaustein, Chemistry and Biochemistry

38. WIYN Open Cluster Study: O and Fe Abundances in the Very Young Open Cluster IC 4665 Benjamin Bogner, Constantine Deliyannis, Ryan Maderak, Physics and Astronomy, Indiana University

10 39. Burnable Disc/ Alternative Fuel Source Matthew Branch, William Giesen, Michael Baltuska, George Emrich, Isaac Meyer, Joseph Marak, Karina Scheller, Kolbe Scheetz, Chemistry and Biochemistry

40. Downregulation of the RNAse-E Gene in E. coli Using dCas9/ CRISPR Nicholas Brose, Anna Schreffler, William Penwell, Biology

41. Ergonomics of Paddling Adam Burke, Steve Spencer, Engineering

42. Automated Concrete Curing Chamber Brett Burke, Scott Newbolds, Engineering 43. Hormones and Your Health Rachel Clark, Ann Marie Guernsey, Anna Jacobs, Sydney Wolf, Jackie Harris, Nursing 44. The Effects of SR9243 on HeLa Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis Jacob Cushing, Lane Fry, Jude Severson, Martha Carletti, Biology 45. The Nutrient Network: A Global Ecological Initiative Christine Fast, Brent Mortensen, Biology 46. The Invasive Genus Lonicera in Weston Bend State Park Matthew Hart, Terrence Malloy, Biology 47. Pregnancy Symptoms: An Exploration on How Everyday Activities Affect the Severity of Pregnancy Discomforts Maria Lanciotti, MaryBridget Pecha, Brittany Bosarge, Katherine Rich, Casey Wagner, Nursing z 11:30 am–12:50 pm g Lunch – Dining Hall s Jazz Band Entertainment s z

Keynote Address “Augmented Capabilities: Searching for Missing Individuals in a Team Environment” Dr. Michael Dolski

1:00–2:20 pm O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium

11 Afternoon Sessions

48. Race, Trauma, and the School-to-Prison Pipeline Elizabeth Allard, Christi Adams, Education 2:35–2:55 c Room 109

49. AIChE ChemE Car Program Research at Benedictine College Phase 1: Power System Development Alissa Muggli, Katharine Hirl, Scott Blonigen, Engineering 2:35–2:55 c Room 124

50. Strangers In a Strange Land: Civilian and Private Organizational Experiences With Refugee Assistance Velia Colunga, David Torres, Laura Moley, Sociology and Criminology 2:35–2:55 c Room 125

51. Creating Assistive Technologies to Aid in Mathematics Education Andrew Miller, Justin Tran, Christopher Hilger, Anna Huber, Nicolaas tenBroek, Mathematics and Computer Science 2:35–2:55 c Room 208 52. “Still ‘Civilized’ But Deeply Divided”: The Cherokee’s Struggle Against Tribal Division, 1835–1877 Matthew Swoboda, Joshua Wolf, History 2:35–2:55 c Room 219

53. “To You Have I Lifted My Soul”: Senior Theology Thesis Defense Skyler Neberman, Andrew Salzmann, Matthew Ramage, Stephen Mirarchi, Theology, English 2:35–3:25 c Gangel Seminar Room

54. Shut Up, You’re Wrong! Shelly Loosbrock, Maryrose Pokorny, Adam Buhman-Wiggs, Psychological Sciences 2:35–2:55 c Room 323

55. Fighting With Fractions: Finding the Whole Solution Catherine Rea, Angela Broaddus, Mathematics and Computer Science 3:05–3:25 c Room 109

56. Intelligent Parallelization of Numerical Solvers Paul Modlin, Nickolas Hein, Mathematics and Computer Science 3:05–3:25 c Room 124

12 57. Culturally Transformative Literature in Education: The Transition From Disability to Exceptionality Paul Imgrund, Susan Traffas, Honors Program 3:05–3:25 c Room 125

58. Vortex Chiller Tubes Daniel Hayes, Steve Spencer, Engineering 3:05–3:25 c Room 208

59. Alpha and Omega: Word Placement in The Aeneid Book One Catherine McCormick, Sarah Young, English 3:05–3:25 c Room 219

61. The Do’s and Don’ts of Holding an Internship Camrie Ventry, William Raymond, Political Science 3:05–3:25 c Room 323

62. Period. Full Stop. Hannah Voss, Julia Bowen, English 3:35–3:55 c Room 109

63. Educators as Builders of Global Community Monica McDonough, Alyssa Patterson, Catherine Hutchens, Christi Adams, Education 3:35–3:55 c Room 124

64. Dialoguing With the Saints: An Artist’s Response to Laudato Si Katherine Lang, Susan Traffas, Honors Program 3:35–3:55 c Room 125

65. Hatshepsut: History’s Forgotten King Kelsey Runge, John Romano, History 3:35–3:55 c Room 208

13 66. Exploration of Nickel Complexes for the Catalytic Production of Acetaldehyde From Ethanol Michael Salemi, John Waters, Natalie Smaron, Kolbe Scheetz, Chemistry and Biochemistry 3:35–3:55 c Room 219

68. Presenting Aeschylus’ Agamemnon on a Modern Stage Naomi Muggli, Alissa Muggli, Joseph Hrenchir, Edward Mulholland, World and Classical Languages and Cultures 3:35–3:55 c Gangel Seminar Room

69. Econometrics of the Domestic Box Office Benjamin Schutte, Eric West, Susan Traffas, Mathematics and Computer Science, Honors Program 3:35–3:55 c Room 323

70. Site Development for A Simple House – Nicaragua Kienan McIntee, Matthew Johll, Daniel Hayes, Paul Wessel, Scott Newbolds, Engineering 4:05–4:25 c Room 109

71. Outside In: A New Take on the Traditional Classroom Rachel Shaver, Monica Loesel, Christi Adams, Education 4:05–4:25 c Room 124

72. Modeling Biological Invasions With the Reaction-Diffusion Equation Jessica Linton, Susan Traffas, Honors Program 4:05–4:25 c Room 125

74. Mathematically Visualizing, Analyzing, and Evaluating the BC General Education Requirements Kasandra Short, Heidi Hulsizer, Mathematics and Computer Science 4:05–4:25 c Room 219

14 75. Life’s Assignments: An Original Play Catherine Hutchens, Sara Hutchens, Matthew Ramsey, Education 4:15–5:05 c O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium

76. The Best Years of Our Lives: A Personal Journey of the Daughter of a Career Soldier Jazzmin Wilson, John Settich, Political Science 4:05–4:25 c Room 323

77. Lost Wax Casting Madeline Stella, Bryan Park, Art 4:35–4:55 c Room 109

79. 168 App Creation Rosalie Wilkerson, Ayden Pugh, John Wostenberg, Kevin Page, Journalism and Mass Communications 4:35–4:55 c Room 125

80. Colloidal Synthesis of PbS Quantum Dots Nathaniel Strandquist, Christopher Palm, Joseph Hrenchir, Georgiy Shcherbatyuk, Physics and Astronomy 4:35–4:55 c Room 208

81. Nonprofit, For Prophet: How Your Christian Charity Can Change the World Evelyn Wagner, Stephen Smith, Michael King, School of Business 4:35–4:55 c Room 219

82. Madam President – 2020? Maryclaire Muskett, Elizabeth Lademan, Kayla Johnson, Rita Maslanka, Matlin McFarren, William Raymond, Political Science 4:35–4:55 c Room 323

15 s q s Presentation Abstracts

8:40–9:35 am T Poster/Exhibit Session #1 McAllister Board Room (4th floor) 1. First Light Astrophotography at Daglen Observatory Benjamin Bogner, Ayden Pugh, Ryan Maderak, Physics and Astronomy We present the first-ever astrophotographic images produced at Daglen Observa- tory. The images are approximate true-color composites of frames taken in each of the five UBVRI precision filters used for astronomical photometry. The frames were acquired using a 14-inch telescope equipped with a science-grade 8.3 mega- pixel CCD detector. In addition to exhibiting the intersection between science and photography, these images demonstrate the quality of astronomical data that can be acquired with a relatively small telescope under Kansas skies at a location with significant light pollution.

2. Polyphony: Making a Manga Angela Hoback, Claire Nacanaynay, Benjamin Sonnek, Margaret McCabe, Matthew Caes, Theology Manga is a Japanese art style that has had an immense impact on modern graphic novels and cartooning. It has reached outside of its original borders to affect other countries’ art styles. Our project is to replicate this style artistically and in our storytelling while also weaving in a Western theological standpoint. We began by researching how manga is made, in particular the materials needed, the history, the various styles, the themes that reappear in historical and modern manga, and how manga has evolved both artistically and thematically. The story of the manga project follows the adventures of three young choirboys as they accidentally enter a magical land where their music has power.

3. Effects of Reduced Tes-1 Expression on Cell Migration Mark Horton, Michaela Bretey, Mark Schramp, Biology Cell migration is an essential step in the development of all multicellular organisms but also can lead to deadly outcomes in the context of cancer metastases. During migration, cells must polarize themselves and regulate adhesion and cytoskeletal changes to move. The goal of our project is to study the role of the actin-regulating protein Testin-1 (Tes) during migration. Tes expression was diminished in the experimental group using RNAi. We compared the migration rates of wild-type and Tes knockdown cells using a scratch assay. The results of the assay showed a significant difference in the mean gap width between the control andTes- knockdown cells at hours 4 and 8. We conclude that Tes affects changes in cell polarity within the first few hours after stimulation, such that the absence of Tes decreases the ability of the cell to migrate. However, once migration has been established, the role of Tes decreases. In order to elucidate further the role of

16 Tes, we would like specifically to study its interaction with E-cadherin, which is another protein involved in cell polarity, migration, and adhesion. Additionally, we would like to repeat these experiments in epithelial tissue, mimicking metastasis of carcinomas, which are the most common type of cancer. 4. Promoter Replacement as a Method of Essential Gene Identification in the Human Pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii Jessica Linton, Madison Bowser, William Penwell, Biology Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the six ESKAPE bacterial pathogens of greatest healthcare concern for which new therapeutic strategies are needed. The organism has earned this dubious distinction due to its predominance as a cause of multi-drug resistant nosocomial infections. Despite being a major issue in the healthcare system, there are currently no new antibiotics to treat A. baumannii infections. One reason for this is due to the minimal understanding of the organism’s basic features, including which genes contribute to its survival. In that regard, while there are many approaches to develop novel antibiotics, the underlying commonality is that current antibiotics target cellular processes that are required for the organism’s viability. To date, there is no clear understanding of which A. baumannii gene products are essential and, consequently, what may or may not represent an attractive antibiotic target. A major factor that is preventing the characterization of essential genes in this pathogen is the fact that essential genes cannot be mutated due to the lethality to bacterial growth. Therefore, the goal of this proposal is to develop an approach to study essential genes in A. baumannii. We propose to use promoter replacement to do genetic exchange on the native promoter of essential genes and replace with the inducible promoter, araC. This approach will focus on essential genes, like murA and mraY, DnaA and DNA polymerase, which are involved in cell wall synthesis and DNA replication in A. baumannii, respectively. The promoter fragment will be amplified and cloned into the inducible A. baumannii shuttle vector pBEM-9. The construct then will be transformed into A. baumannii and the induction will be turned on with L-arabinose. After induction, if the transformants display either a lethal or defective growth phenotype when arabinose is not present, we can conclude that those altered genes are indeed essential genes needed for the growth of A. baumannii. 5. Understanding Functions of dedA and Virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii Joseph Marak, Catherine Kistler, Eva Pecha, Daniela Garcia-Perez, William Penwell, Biology Previous research by Dr. Penwell identified a set of genes that were needed to cause a successful infection in murine pneumonia model. One specific gene that was important for virulence was the gene, dedA. This gene encodes for a hypo- thetical protein whose function is currently unknown; however, this protein is thought to be integral in membrane integrity. It has also been shown to have a variety of functions in other bacteria, some of which include ion transport and virulence. The purpose of our research is to characterize the function of the dedA

17 gene in membrane integrity and virulence of A. baumannii. In order to carry out our research, we will first amplify the dedA gene from the genome ofA. baumannii 17978. Once amplified, we will use specific restriction enzymes to interrupt the gene with the antibiotic, kanamycin. A mutation of the gene dedA::kan will be generated using a specific recombination-mediated genome editing system and inserted into A. baumannii. After confirming mutation via PCR, we will examine the isogenic derivative for phenotypical changes related to virulence and membrane integrity. Change in virulence phenotypes include motility, biofilm, and ability to kill the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans. Changes in membrane integrity will involve the uptake of 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine (NPN), which will be applied to the mutated strains of A. baumannii. Using NPN will give a quantitative measure to determine changes in outer membrane permeability and integrity. In the future, this research will help the science community to increase the understanding of the purpose of the gene dedA in the species A. baumannii.

6. Morphing Metal and Elastomer Bicontinuous Foams Anthony Olimpio, Conrad Hoover, Lindsey Bottom, Scott Blonigen, Engineering Two of the properties for which most metals are used is their tensile strength and toughness. Metals can generally withstand a moderate to large amount of force without breaking, which is favorable in countless applications ranging anywhere from hammers to airplanes. But while it is useful to have a heavy hammer sometimes, it is generally better to have a lighter airplane if possible. And while having a hammer can help in many cases, it won’t often be a good substitute for a wrench or screwdriver. Transforming a hammer into a screwdriver when needed would be very useful, but as metals are inherently difficult to stretch, mold, or even break, this is not currently possible. However, there is a process emerging by which certain low-melting point metals are made less dense using a positive silicon skeleton. This makes a metal which, when exposed to a heat-gradient, will morph into a different form. This would not be terribly special, save for the fact that the metal retains its physical properties, ideally staying just as strong and tough in all forms. Our project seeks to produce several testing ingots of this “metal foam,” which will be created with different metal alloys and tested for strength, toughness, elasticity, and other physical properties. This project could yield results that are revolutionary to the field as the data collected could display trends that point to an ultimate composite between this metal and silicon, which would one day be produced for things like the aforementioned hybrid tools. These metal foams could help with several new innovations to daily life, new technology for spacecraft, or any number of other applications. Once the materials had been bought to begin making the elastomer foams, the process of creating various low temperature melting point alloys began. Three metals were used to create the alloys, Bismuth, Lead, and Tin. First the metals were cut and flattened to working sizes, then combined with each other in proper proportions to create three different alloys of three various proportions. Once the alloy had been smelted, the liquid metal was poured into warm water to rapid cool it into small, workable pellets for later use.

18 Small silicon molds were also made from making negatives of a T-bone shape with a 3D printer, then filling the gaps with a mixture of craft silicon and Himalayan mountain salt. Once the silicon dried, the bone-shaped piece of silicon with the salt was placed into a cleanser to get rid of the salt. The next step was to put the alloys into the voids in the silicon mold, but multiple problems with heat exchange from the molten metals to the surroundings prevented full transfer of the alloy into the molds to create the elastomer foams. Thus, only failed results were obtained. Future work will entail how properly to transfer the alloys into the molds effectively in order to gain proper material samples for later testing of properties.

7. Thirty Years of Service: The History and Growth of the Totus Tuus Program Alyssa Patterson, Stephanie Baalmann, John Rziha, Theology Since its creation in 1987, the Totus Tuus catechetical program has transformed the lives of thousands of students and young adults. Through a summer of service, missionaries meet and teach hundreds of students about the Catholic faith. Our research sought to explore the power of this program by answering the question “How has Totus Tuus impacted and transformed the lives of those involved?” Through data collection and interviews with the founder, current coordinators, and missionaries, we have discovered how the program that began in Kansas has blossomed to impact individuals nationwide. Totus Tuus has transformed the lives of countless individuals by creating a vibrant faith-life among youth and adults.

8. Identifying Fake News and Enhancing News Literacy Ellen Petersen, Julie Love, Journalism and Mass Communications As a Journalism and Mass Communications major, I’ve found that young people are experiencing difficulty in understanding and communicating news and identifying what is news. News has changed rapidly since the advent of the television, and now social media. It is also under fire by public figures, officials, and many Americans in general. Given the conflicting views of the various news agencies and fake news circulating the Internet, people are consistently asking, “What is news?” and “Why is it important?” For this project, I’ve conducted research to better educate myself on what fake news actually is and to find possible solutions to this growing problem. While conducting my research I found that 82 percent of middle-school students were not able to determine the difference between sponsored advertisements and a real news story on the same site, and 80 percent of college students believed a lobbying firm’s website to be an unbiased and trusted news source. At the same time, I found that Americans are split—one-third of Americans believe everything they read, one-third believe all news is fake news with a bias, and the other third is somewhere in the middle.

19 As a solution, I found that many schools across the country, starting from elementary-level classes, are incorporating classes on ‘news literacy’—a new term used to combat fake news by educating Americans on how critically to think about news. This involves teaching students everything from proper sentence structure to spelling and grammar. In higher education, students are learning how critically to analyze news stories and their sources. Some tips on how to do so include: • Reading other sources on the same topic • Investigating into a byline • Investigating the story’s sources • Avoiding sites that end in “.io” or “.com.co” • Ensure each story uses multiple sources and that other credible news sources are covering the same issue • Finally, asking “Why is this story important or relevant to me and why should I trust it?” 9. Mark and Recapture Field Study of Turtle Populations in a Scour Pond on the Benedictine Bottoms Jenna Rudolph, Katherine Lang, Elizabeth Schuetz, Terrence Malloy, Biology We did a mark and recapture study of the turtle populations in a scour pond on Benedictine Bottoms Wildlife Area to examine the diversity and demography of these populations. Due to the fact that Benedictine Bottoms is an established mitigation site, we anticipated a diverse, stable, and abundant turtle population in this isolated pond. We captured turtles using hoop nets baited with cat food. We set up seven hoop nets along the circumference of the pond, and checked them every two to three nights. We started in mid-September and continued sampling until the temperature dropped below freezing in late October. We used RFID (PIT) tags uniquely to mark captured individuals. For each captured individual, we recorded species, sex, weight, morphometric data, and pictures of key identifying physical traits. We found Common Snapping Turtles, Northern Painted Turtles, Red Eared Sliders, and False Map Turtles. Our study resulted in 34 tagged turtles and six recaptures across nine sampling efforts. Our data show that the most abundant species was the Common Snapping Turtle and the least abundant was the False Map Turtle.

10. Racial Integration in Atchison Schools Sarah Salter, Grace Stotzer, Joshua Wolf, History The town of Atchison, Kansas, was established in the pre-Civil War era by Missouri Senator David Rice Atchison. He intended Atchison to serve as a pro- slave outpost in Kansas to outweigh free state sentiment along the border. Since then, Atchison has held an unusual attitude toward race. Public facilities, such as parks, swimming pools, and places of employment, were not segregated in Atchison early on, but schools up to eighth grade were. However, Atchison became one of the first towns in Kansas to consider school integration, predating Topeka’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education by two years.

20 This project will investigate the history of race in Atchison’s public schools, focusing mainly on the colored school in Atchison (Lincoln School) and Atchison High School (AHS). Besides exploring the timeline that brought about integration in Atchison and Kansas as a whole, the authors will seek an understanding of how integration affected both the black and white communities of Atchison. We hope to conduct several interviews with residents of Atchison at the time of integration and present their testimonies. Finally, we will consider the legacy and implica- tions of race relations affecting the modern day Atchison population. 11. Characterizing the Role of the BauF Gene A. baumanii 19606 JohnPaul Stedwill, Gabriel LeBeau, Payton Murphy, William Penwell, Biology Acinetobacter baumannii is a bacterial pathogen that causes severe nosocomial acquired infections in immunocompromised patients. One important virulence determinant is the acinetobactin-mediated siderophore system, which functions to acquire iron under iron-limited conditions imposed by the human host. Much work has been done to determine function of proteins within the acinetobactin- mediated system, but some steps of this system are not well understood. One such step is how iron is released from the siderophore after acquiring it from the environment or host. The bauF gene, which is located within the acinetobactin gene cluster, has similarity with genes encoding esterases from other siderophore- mediated systems. These esterases have been shown to be needed for the release of iron from their respective ferric-siderophore complexes. Therefore, it is our hypothesis that the bauF gene encodes a putative esterase that is involved in the release of iron from a ferric-acinetobactin complex. BauF will first be PCR amplified from A. baumannii ATCC 19606T genomic DNA with primers that will allow for the PCR product to be cloned into Zero Blunt Topo PCR cloning kit. The amplicon will be sub-cloned into a restriction site on the polylinker of the expression vector, pET-30ax and protein product will contain the appropriate His-tag. The construct will be transformed into E. coli BL21 for overexpression using T7 RNA polymerase system, which is induced with the addition of IPGT. Expression of this construct will produce a fusion protein where the BauF protein will be His-tagged. We will confirm over-expression of the protein by making cell lysates after inducing expression. We will run the lysates on a SDS-PAGE and wash with Coomassie Bright Blue to determine if we have expression of the BauF protein as compared to an uninduced control. Once confirmed, we will scale up the over-expression to isolate the BauF protein using high pressure liquid chromatography. This can be done using the His-tag, which has been incorporated onto the N-terminal end of the BauF protein (NHis-BauF). Because the His-tag has a high affinity for nickel (Ni), we will use Ni-affinity column chromatography to isolate over-expressed protein and then examine the purity of the NHis-BauF protein using SDS-PAGE. To determine if NHis-BauF is an esterase that releases iron from a ferric- acinetobactin complex, we must isolate acinetobactin. We will grow Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606T in M9 minimal media with the iron chelator, 2,2’-dipri- dyl. After isolating the siderophore, a reaction mixture will be set up so that

21 ferric-acinetobactin and NHis-BauF can be incubated together at room temperature. Aliquots will be pulled from the reaction mixture after 5, 10, and 30 mins and added to a stop buffer. The samples will then be analyzed by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography using and a reverse-phase column. 12. Usage of the Benedictine Bottoms Refuge by Antlered and Antlerless White-tailed Deer Before, During, and After Hunting Season Brandi Strand, Madilyn Gothard, Terrence Malloy, Biology The Benedictine Bottoms is a 2,112-acre area located 2.5 miles northeast of Atchison, Kansas, on River Road. It is currently managed by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, and provides three types of habitat (grassland, woodland, and wetland) for a wide variety of wildlife species, particularly white- tailed deer. Roughly one-third of the land is a designated refuge where hunting is not allowed. This provides shelter and resources for inhabitants during the winter months. The objective of this study was to use trail camera photos to estimate the number of white-tailed deer using the Benedictine Bottoms Wildlife Refuge before, during, and after the rifle hunting season. Six different trail cameras were placed as evenly throughout the refuge as possible at roughly one camera per 100 acres. Three were baited, and three were non-baited to contrast sex ratio bias. A bias was observed as the doe:buck ratio was much greater at non-baited sites compared to the baited. Three 10-day surveys were conducted with the first one taking place November 10–19, the second December 1–10, and the last January 14–23. During the pre-hunting season, 266 photos of deer were captured with an estimated doe to buck ratio of 4.8:3. During hunting season, which ran from November 29 through December 10, total deer photos decreased slightly to 221, with a doe to buck ratio of 5.3:3. Total deer photos during the post-hunting season numbered 210 with a doe to buck ratio of 8:3. These preliminary results indicate that refuge use by white-tailed deer declined during the hunting season and that the doe to buck ratio increased with fewer bucks and more does respectively being captured on camera during each of the three surveys. 13. Wood in Concrete: A Study in Mix Design Benjamin Suhr, Scott Newbolds, Engineering The objective of this project involves investigating the mixture of finely ground wood particles into the concrete mix. This process has been used for more than a century, but only in small, non-loading applications. Recently, civil engineers have considered adding wood particles into concrete on a much larger scale, such as foundation slabs. The recent increase in awareness of this method is due to its positive effect on the environment compared to conventional mixing techniques. Most of all, this method decreases the unit weight of the final product so much in some cases that the concrete is able to float, while maintaining a great deal of compressive strength. This project is designed to investigate the truth of these claims by performing compression tests on concrete mixes with different levels of wood particles. These data as well as the unit weight will then be compared to those of a lightweight concrete mix without wood particles added. It is difficult to stay environmentally conscious when working with construction materials. If these

22 results reveal that a concrete/wood mixture has the similar properties as concrete without wood added, it will provide a case for a viable way for more efficient and environmentally conscious concrete mixing in the future. Additionally, by using the wood particles, the cost of the concrete could be significantly reduced. The hope for this project will be to determine the feasibility of using this mixing technique for practical, common construction applications.

14. Computational Modeling of Ion Production in Titan’s Ionosphere Austin Windsor, Kent Wilson, Matthew Richard, Physics and Astronomy The Cassini spacecraft started its 20-year historic journey in 1997 as it set out to orbit Saturn. Once Cassini reached the ringed planet’s orbit in 2004, it collected data on the planet and its moons until September 2017. Of particular interest is

Saturn’s moon Titan, whose N2 and CH4 dominated atmosphere is thought to resemble that of an early Earth. If the understanding of the interactions occurring in the atmosphere is improved, a superior view of an early Earth atmosphere can be resolved. As Cassini passed Titan, it gathered information about the composition of Titan’s upper atmosphere and ionosphere using 12 different instruments. Currently, the primary objective is completely to model the ionization rates due to protons entering Titan’s atmosphere at various energies using data collected by Cassini. To obtain this objective, I built a Monte Carlo computer code starting in 2015 and have been continuously refining it to produce a more accurate model. This computer code uses a 4th order Runge-Kutta method to simulate the motion of hundreds of thousands of protons entering the atmosphere of Titan and to predict, based on proton energies and collision cross sections, whether or not the protons collide with a neutral nitrogen molecule in the atmosphere to produce an ion. Once a collision is detected, it is then predicted which of seven different chemical processes occur to produce a nitrogen ion. The results being produced are plots showing the relationship between the ion production and altitude. This reveals a clear peak ionization altitude in Titan’s ionosphere indicating where the highest amounts of ionization occur. Along with this, color mapping of Titan’s surface is conducted to show where, relative to Titan’s surface, the most ionization is occurring. The primary focus of this past year has been to optimize the probability function for predicting collisions using a variable time step. Kent Wilson, a sophomore, has recently joined the team to aid in the efforts for interpolating magnetic field line profiles in Titan’s ionosphere and to learn the current program. x x 15. Presidential Libraries and Active Citizenship in High School Students Elizabeth Clum, Annie Phillips, Sarah Tapper, Charles DeVillier, William Raymond, Political Science 9:45–10:05 c Room 109 A portion of an educator’s job is preparing students to be active and informed citizens. This job rests heavily on social studies teachers in particular. The pres- sures of a task so large inspired this team to dive into the resources available in this area for teachers and students alike, leading the team to the Presidential Libraries. The primary research question was how the education programs at the

23 Presidential Libraries assist students in becoming more interested in their education and becoming more active, informed citizens. Through in-depth consultation with library educational specialists and analysis of library programs, the team reasoned that the resources available for educators and students at Presidential Libraries encourages students actively to participate in their education and develop a sense of civic responsibility. While these programs in no way replace the need for qualified social studies teachers in the classrooms, the supplement of these programs creates a learning environment conducive of critical thinking and real-world application. Through this presentation, the team of researchers will convey the availability of unique resources, simulations, and activities obtain- able for all educators in the Presidential Library education programs and how the use of these programs can engage students of all levels while encouraging their informed participation in the civic duties of American citizens.

16. The Behavioral Effects of the Plastic Bag Tax Catherine Francois, James Young, Economics 9:45–10:05 c Room 124 Regulations and restrictions on the use of plastic bags in grocery stores have been one of the recent advances in legislation in many states across the US. This is a trend that began in Europe that is now coming to the US. From my research I have found that plastic bag legislation has two effects. In the first few months after the legislation has been implemented, demand significantly decreases, but then it picks back up after consumers become more accustomed to paying for their bags. This project will consider the economic concepts of price elasticity of demand, the factors that determine price elasticity, and the way that plastic bag legislation affects price elasticity. In addition, it will incorporate the Coase Theorem of externalities and market failures. Finally, it will apply Nobel Laureate Richard Thaler’s concepts of acquisition utility and transaction utility to the issue of plastic bag legislation.

17. The Effect of a Classroom Pet on the Education of Pre-K Students Matthieu Gilme, Isaiah McBride, Amy Posey, Psychological Sciences 9:45–10:05 c Room 125 Past research suggests that having a pet in a classroom helps children with their early development, especially in terms of empathy. This research has been conducted with elementary-school-aged children. With the consent of the teachers, we introduced a guinea pig within a NEK-CAP Head Start classroom located in Atchison, Kansas. Through this study, we hope to assess the effects of the guinea pig on the children’s socio-emotional development (ability to balance the rights and needs of others) and attendance. In this study we used two classrooms, having one classroom act as the treatment group, which served as the home of the classroom pet. The second classroom served as a control group, which had minimal contact with the guinea pig. We will compare the pre-intervention data with the data gathered after the guinea pig has been in their classroom for two months and once again at the end of the academic year. We hypothesize that

24 students in the treatment group will demonstrate more improvement in their attendance and socio-emotional development than students who are in the control group condition. 18. Economic Modeling of the Atchison Royal Cinema Benjamin Schutte, William Keiss, David Harris, Economics 9:45–10:05 c Room 208 The organization Theater Atchison is attempting to renovate and reopen the closed-down Royal Cinema in Atchison, Kansas. We wanted to use econometric modeling to attempt to answer their questions about reopening the movie theater. Their main question was what they should charge for ticket prices. Our goal was to model the market for movie theater tickets in the town of Atchison, Kansas, to see how successful the theater will be after reopening. We started by doing a literature review to see what research had already been done on movie theater ticket demand in small towns. We then created surveys to track the demand from the townspeople and college students. Next, we took the data from the surveys and used it to build an econometric model. This model did not accurately capture the information from the town, so we switched methods and created inverse demand curves plotting quantity demanded against ticket price at four different times. Finally, we ran marginal analyses to find the profit maximizing prices, and plugged them into the preliminary income statement provided to us by Theater Atchison. 19. Botanical Latin Hannah Dea, Elizabeth Ciskanik, Edward Mulholland, World and Classical Languages and Cultures 9:45–10:05 c Room 219 Botanical Latin is the language used by botanists to name and describe plant taxa. The purpose of this project is to make a focused analysis of the development and usage of botanical Latin. The goal was to discover how the current system came to be, how it is used today, and whether it is still a relevant course of study. In this project we first identified the definition and purpose of botanical Latin, we then examined its history, including a particular look at the contributions made by Carl Linnaeus. Next, we explored how the language is set up using William T. Stearn’s 1966 Botanical Latin as a main reference, and finally we analyzed how botanical Latin is used in the modern day. As a result, we found that systematically studying the history and use of botanical Latin can be of value for present-day plant researchers both for understanding past taxonomic work and as a reference when classifying species to be discovered in the future. 20. Thesis Defense of “In Their Own Image: Educational Origins of H.D. and Amy Lowell’s Imagism” Hannah Voss, Julia Bowen, Sarah Young, Susan Traffas, Andrew Salzmann, English, Honors Program, Theology 9:45–10:35 c Gangel Seminar Room Conceptions of modernist literature start with Imagism, the first poetic movement to signal the shift to modernism. It is fundamentally important that Imagism 25 be understood fully as it provides a basis for many of the characteristics of modernism as a whole. Imagism is conventionally explained as the brainchild of Ezra Pound, assisted by a few other poets and aesthetic philosophers. However, this understanding overstates the role of Ezra Pound and colors Imagism and modernism as a whole with European and academic overtones. Investigation into the birth of Imagism suggests that two poets arrived at the Imagist form of poetry organically, providing the basis for Pound’s manifesto: H.D. and Amy Lowell. Pound undoubtedly gave Imagism a name, but he cannot be credited as creating the movement. Amy Lowell tends to its promulgation with a true artistic vision shared by Imagism’s originator: H.D. These two women can be seen as actually shaping Imagism into the first movement of modernist poetry, creating a literary legacy that would have a lasting significance on modernist literature. “In Their Own Image: Educational Origins of H.D. and Amy Lowell’s Imagism” investigates how Amy Lowell and H.D. came to Imagism organically through the similarities of their educations as women growing up in New England at the turn of the century. Limitations on female schooling at the time meant that their access and exposure to traditional literary canons as well as academic ideas vary significantly from the educational history of their male peers. These factors allow them to bring new perspectives to poetry and express modernity through immediacy of experience, rather than relying on old standards of complex literary allusions and techniques. This analysis shows how their unique educations are manifest in their original Imagist poems and reconceptualizes characteristics of Imagism, and later, modernism as a result of their academic upbringings.

21. An Acoustical Study Matthew Johll, Michael Klein, Joshua Sullivan, Patrick O’Malley, Engineering 9:45–10:05 c Room 323 Many people take it for granted when they are in a building with a properly functioning, high-tech sound system. However, sound systems are not always quite as simple as they seem and often require maintenance or redesign. The goal of this project is to discover any sound ‘dead spots’ in St. Benedict’s Church (1001 North 2nd Street, Atchison, KS 66002). Father Jeremy requested this study due to the difficulties the parish has experienced using their sound broadcasting system. The study will determine if there are many of these ‘dead spots’ and their respective locations. Broadcasting static through the currently installed speakers was the chosen method of testing. This allows for all frequencies to be studied, and then specific frequencies can be analyzed (e.g., the range of the human voice). After recording the static in different locations inside the church, Matlab and Labview software will be used to graph the amplitudes and analyze the results. Once it is determined where the acoustics are lacking, speakers could potentially be installed in strategic locations so that the entire congregation can join in the celebration of Mass more fully.

26 22. Artistic Possibilities of Sand Casting Techniques Alejandro Gomez, Bryan Park, Art 10:15–11:15 c Outside Bishop Fink Hall (weather permitting) From bronze statues in Ancient Greece to engine parts for automobiles, metal casting has been used for millennia to achieve both practical and artistic goals. There are several methods of metal casting that artists use, each with different origins and from various points in history. This project focuses on three sand casting techniques: green sand casting, bonded sand casting, and lost foam casting. Each of these processes uses sand as the material for the mold, but they allow for different visual and technical results. In order to explore the artistic possibilities of these techniques, several aluminum pours were conducted with each method, experimenting with different uses of textures and forms. The presentation will include a brief discussion, examples of the work I have cast, as well as a demonstration of the metal casting process and the foam vaporization mold-making technique.

23. Comparative Study of Lactic Acid Accumulation During Anoxic Conditions of Winter Environments in Hatchling Sliders (Trachemys scripta) and Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) Katherine Lang, Elizabeth Schuetz, Jenna Rudolph, Virginia Winder, Biology 10:15–10:35 c Room 109 When ponds freeze over, turtles may be forced to survive in anoxic environments. When living in water with low oxygen concentrations, turtles switch their metabolism to lactic acid fermentation, leading to the buildup of lactate in their blood. To prevent acidosis, turtles buffer their blood with calcium carbonate mobilized from their skeletal systems and sequester excess lactate within their skeletal system. Previous studies on hatchlings focused primarily on freeze tolerance rather than lactate metabolism, and lactate studies were terminal rather than continuous. We wanted to observe the progression of hatchlings’ ability to buffer and sequester lactate. Additionally, we wanted to observe the difference in anaerobic rates between species as previous hatchling studies focused on single species. Over three months, we conducted a comparative study in the laboratory on hatchling Sliders and Painted turtles. We expected Sliders to be less proficient than Painted turtles at lactate buffering due to previous experiments on adults. We simulated freezing conditions in the lab with 24 hatchling turtles and measured lactate concentrations in blood samples at biweekly intervals while incrementally lower- ing ambient temperature from 25˚ to 4˚. Our results demonstrated an incremental increase in lactate every week in both species. These data provide further insight into how these two species are able to survive metabolically anoxic environments during freezing winter conditions.

27 24. The Benedictine Bounce Back Annie Lind, Peter Hegelsen, Admission 10:15–10:35 c Room 124 According to historical patterns, if the Benedictine College Office of Admission is capable of reaching the goal of approximately 3,500 prospective student applicants, the annual enrollment goal of 500 students has been successfully met. For the incoming freshman class in fall 2017, this was the first time this statute did not stand since the college’s enrollment model was established. While the number of student applicants was within the goal range, the number of students who enrolled fell short, making this the first year in many that Benedictine’s enrollment did not experience a consecutive increase. The following report delves deeper into the factors that resulted in this decrease. By evaluating key college decision influencers, the main discrepancies between the prospective students who applied to attend Benedictine as freshman-standing students in fall 2017 and those who moved forward to enroll can be determined. The magnitude of these influencers (such as athletics, size, proximity, and financial aid) paired with their importance (as determined through a student survey) is capable of producing an MIR analysis, revealing current strengths and weaknesses of the college’s current recruitment efforts. Additionally, through external research of the higher education space, these strengths can be paired with opportunities for the Office of Admission to consider in the future. By determining key personas for the college to consider further focusing on using customized campaigns, the application/enrollment gap can be narrowed in coming years, leading to continued enrollment increases.

25. Amoris Laetitia From the Perspective of the Laity Marisol Alicea, Anna Laughery, Matthew Ramage, Theology 10:15–10:35 c Room 125 In the document Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis makes a controversial comment regarding “irregular situations” in which divorced and remarried Catholics may find themselves. The controversy arises when the Pope addresses ways by which the Church can offer aid to these couples. He says in a footnote of paragraph 305, “In certain cases, this [aid] can include the help of the sacraments… the Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.” Our project seeks to discover the role of the lay faithful in real cases to which the Pope’s comment applies. Cases include 1) an immigrant woman who was left by her first husband without clear reason for annulment. She wants to marry a man whom she is now financially dependent on and who is the father of her child; 2) A man in a second marriage who recently came back to the Church and his second wife will not agree to live as brother and sister; 3) A woman who believes her marriage is invalid but cannot get an annulment because there is no tribunal in her diocese. Under the consultation of canon lawyers, our project seeks to answer two questions: 1) What should the Church do in these situations? 2) What is the role of the lay faithful in approaching these types of cases?

28 26. Health Beliefs and Access to Care Among Residents of San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala Victoria Masucci, Michele Hinds, Nursing 10:15–10:35 c Room 208 Guatemala is a small country located in Central America, and is one of the poorest countries in the Americas. While Guatemala City, the nation’s capital, has adequate public and private primary care facilities, the access to quality care is limited in rural areas of the country. San Andrés Itzapa, a small, rural town about 38 miles outside of Guatemala City, is an example of an area with insufficient access to quality care. Clinics in San Andrés Itzapa are scarce, and a majority of the population cannot afford to see a private care provider. Lack of overall education, especially related to health, is another factor affecting the health beliefs of Guatemalans. In 11 trips to Guatemala, I have seen the lack of resources available to the rural populations when it comes to healthcare needs. The primary goal of this study is to identify personal health beliefs of the population of San Andrés Itzapa and to determine any barriers in their access to healthcare. Forty-five surveys were collected over two days at the local market. Many of the residents could not read or write, so some of the surveys were read and filled out by a native Guatemalan. After completing the surveys, the participants received a piece of fruit for their contribution to the study. Forty-two surveys were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. About 75% of the population surveyed were indigenous women. The ages ranged from 20–80, with the average age being 39. Participants associated sickness with physical pain while they perceived health as “being well.” Almost half of the participants stated they go to the public health center for medical services. Study findings suggest that further research is needed to better understand the health needs of this population and ways to enhance the local health services they receive from the public clinic. 27. The Japanese Prints of Mount St. Scholastica Rachel Pierick, Gabriel Ogle, Margaret McCabe, Claire Nacanaynay, Jay Wallace, Art 10:15–10:35 c Room 219 In continuation of the Art Department’s now fifth-year collaboration with the sisters at Mount Saint Scholastica for Discovery Day, this year’s students focused on a collection of Japanese prints and sought to cultivate the relationship between Benedictine College and the Benedictine Sisters. This lead to researching and working towards preserving the Japanese prints that are a part of their vast art collection. We have integrated our interest in the Japanese culture and their history of artistic expression, particularly in this area of Ukiyo-e. Japanese printmaking has a strong tradition, yet a long evolving history. Knowledge of another culture’s art gives a new perspective on humanity and can lead us to give further glory to God. With this in mind, we set out to discover more about the prints found at the Mount, such as how they got there, what techniques were used to make them, and how we can better preserve them.

29 28. If I Die Before I Wake: Fear, Horror, and Religiosity Catherine Wittig, Thomas Dzurik, Sarah Starrs, Adam Buhman-Wiggs, Psychological Sciences 10:15–10:35 c Room 323 The present study investigated the effect of supernatural and natural fear stimuli on religiosity. In the experiment, 98 participants from a small liberal arts college were randomly assigned to either an individual lab setting, a public group showing, or an individual private setting and administered a religiosity measurement to determine whether they were intrinsically or extrinsically religious, followed by an affect scale. Participants were randomly assigned to watch either four short video clips consisting of a supernatural fear stimulus or a natural fear stimulus, then they completed the same affect scale after each video. Results indicated that religiosity had no effect on fear responses to either supernatural or natural fear stimuli, however, individuals were notably more afraid in the individual settings. These results indicate that religiosity has little impact on one’s response to different fear stimuli.

29. A School for the Lord’s Service: On the Value and Example of Cistercian Pedagogy Michael Nguyen, Andrew Salzmann, Theology 10:45–11:05 c Room 109 When the monks of the Cistercian Congregation of Zirc, Hungary, were impelled by the Soviet regime to contribute more visibly to secular society, the community took up teaching, a ministry that continues to this day around the world. Monas- tic life and spirituality has shaped the way the Cistercians approach education, resulting in an academic system informed by intense spiritual living, intentional community, and the importance of an educator’s character. The results of research, interviews, and visits to Cistercian communities at home and abroad will be presented, and these monks’ contemplative life and ministry of education as an exemplar of holistic Christian formation will be discussed. The importance of the values central to a Cistercian school and how lay educators can benefit from appropriating their ideals and methods will be explained.

30. Pathway to Academic Success: A Study of Factors That Influence GPA Fiona Fitzgerald, Kayla Watry, Sarah White, Adam Buhman-Wiggs, Psychological Sciences 10:45–11:05 c Room 124 Given the continued importance of completing an undergraduate degree, such as for employment (Graf, 2017), identifying factors that facilitate or impede academic success is vital to thousands of college students. While previous research has identified several isolated factors affecting academic success, few studies have explored the complexity of mediation and moderation among these variables. Our online study ambitiously attempted to identify such relationships among several known predictors of academic success. Participants (219) answered multiple

30 validated measures of personality, locus of control, motivation, time perspective, and religiosity, as well as reported current cumulative GPA. Mediation and moderation analyses using PROCESS for SPSS (Hayes, 2018) provided mixed support for our several hypotheses, with evidence of partial or full mediating effects of time perspective on some Big 5 personality traits and religiosity. Findings from our ongoing analyses will be presented and discussed in the hope of better representing the complexity of predictor relationships in academic achievement at the college level and with the goal of providing students information to help them succeed in the classroom.

31. The Effects on Students With Disabilities Transitioning From High School to College Anne Donahoe, Alexandria Middleton, Lauren Berry, Anna Ward, Matthew Ramsey, Education 10:45–11:05 c Room 125 The purpose of this study was better to understand the process of the transition from high school to college for students with disabilities, primarily learning disabilities. After reviewing prior research done on transition, we sought to answer three questions that we thought had not been fully answered before: What are the best practices for providing postsecondary accommodations for students with disabilities, especially for students with learning disabilities? How does transition planning at the high school level relate to success in postsecondary education for these students? Finally, how are the social and emotional effects of transition on students with learning disabilities attending postsecondary institutions related to the transition services and the postsecondary accommodations they receive? We answered these questions by interviewing a variety of high school teachers, college professors, college students with disabilities, disability service coordinators, vocational rehabilitation personnel, and other service providers, totaling in six- teen different interviews. Our interviewees, as different as they may be from one another, displayed commonalities in their ideas on successful versus unsuccessful transitions. Our research from the interviews proved that preparation for the college transition in high school is vital and should be covered by the student’s IEP or a “transition team.” In addition to this, we also have found that accommodat- ing student success centers, faculty, residence life programs, and family supports must carry on into college in order for a student to succeed even though the students no longer have their education filed under an IEP. This research highlights the best ways these different units can help students with disabilities to succeed, making it an important read for anyone with any social or professional relation to a high school or college student with a disability.

32. VBA and the Benefits of Coding in Accounting and Finance Fields Lillian Hoover, Brian Henry, School of Business 10:45–11:05 c Room 208 The field of business is experiencing a technology shift due in part to increased Internet accessibility and information technologies. Demand for professionals

31 with finance or accounting experience and basic computer programming knowledge has increased as technology becomes more widespread. This project sought to find a way for undergraduates pursuing careers in these fields to meetthis demand through interviewing professionals in the accounting field and consoli- dating online information resources. Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), a coding language, was discovered to be the best way to gain basic computer programming knowledge for those with a finance or accounting background due to user’s familiarity with Microsoft Excel. VBA is a powerful tool, mainly used in Microsoft applications, that allows the user to add custom functionality to Microsoft Excel. This project explored the benefits of learning basic coding as an undergraduate. It further pursued how undergraduates can learn VBA on their own without classroom instruction by using free or inexpensive training tools.

33. Privilege at Benedictine: Fact or Fiction? Rachel Medara, Melody Wiklund, Kelsey Runge, Rebecca Hess, Joshua Wolf, History 10:45–11:05 c Room 219 Our project sought to uncover how the Benedictine community views the concepts of social, economic, and political privilege. Using data gathered from surveys given to the student body, faculty, and staff, we analyzed how accurately members of the Benedictine community view their own privilege before and after being made to think about it. We also took an in-depth look into how people at Benedictine view privilege as a social force and whether or not privilege is merely a myth.

34. Italy’s Bad Debt and Banking Dilemma Noah Sattler, James Young, Economics 10:45–11:05 c Gangel Seminar Room This presentation tracks the origination and causes of amplification of the Italian economy’s “non-performing loan” problem, examining the negative effects that this bad debt has on Italy’s status as a member of the European Monetary Union and the efficacy of the steps that Italy is taking to reform her banking economy. While the 2008 and 2011 recessions both increased the ratio of non-performing loans in Italy, many of such loans were set up for failure at their initiation by being made to a fragile private sector through questionable credit evaluation. Since Italy’s entrance into the European Monetary Union in 1999, its national debt has risen to 130% of GDP, doubling the 60% ceiling requirement of the Maastricht Treaty. Although Italy’s banking sector has slowly been collaborating smaller banks into large firms since the early 1990s, recent reforms have accelerated con- solidation. The recent merging of the banking sector, the reform of mutual and cooperative credit banks, and the Italian government’s guarantee on securitization of non-performing loans have had a beneficial effect on Italy’s bad debt problem, halting the growth of non-performing loans and suggesting future improvement for Italy’s banking economy.

32 35. KayBak William Keiss, Brock Hess, Joseph Wurtz, Gregorian Fellows 10:45–11:05 c Room 323 This presentation will describe our process of creating and developing our boat design. The process will be rooted in readings centered around entrepreneurial activities as a part-time pursuit. The main question we will be answering is “How can a student develop an idea/business while also being a student?” and the benefits of pursuing such a project. To study this we will dive into a project about which we are both passionate. We are constructing a boat that deconstructs into a packable size while still having storage for day hike necessities. We will mark our progress, including, but not limited to, research, development, product testing, product development, and potential marketing. The boat project will serve as a case study to answer our question about the possibility of being a student entrepreneur and the best practices towards pursuing that. The hope is to show Benedictine students that application from learning does not have to wait until after college and that, in reality, this may be the best time to “fail forward.” d d d 11:15–12:10 T Poster/Exhibit Session #2 McAllister Board Room (4th floor) 36. The Antioxidant Effects of Protandim Eden Anderson, Will Argana, Michaela Dreiling, Matthew Jarecki, Kolbe Poarch, Martha Carletti, Biology Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules naturally formed during cellular respiration. However, excessive ROS can cause damage to cellular macromolecules, such as DNA, and has been linked to diseases, such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. Protandim®, an herbal over-the-counter supplement, claims to “fight the effects of aging and increase health at the cellular level” by reducing the amount of reactive oxygen species in the body. Last year, we used in vitro studies to test Protandim’s claims by examining the effects of Protandim on intercellular ROS levels, DNA mutagenesis, and cell viability in HeLa cells. To study further the action of Protandim, we used three assays to determine whether Protandim can protect HeLa cells from oxidative stress and if Protandim influences the relative abundance of intracellular antioxidant enzymes regulated by Nrf2. First, a cellular reactive oxygen species detection assay was used to test the ability of Protandim to decrease ROS levels. In this assay we induced oxidative stress by treating cells with tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) and observed the effect that Protandim has on the amounts of intracellular ROS. We found that Protandim decreased the concentration of ROS in Hela cells compared to untreated cells. Second, we used an MTT cell proliferation assay to determine Protandim’s effect on cell viability in the presence of ROS over a 96-hour period. We found that cell viability increased in Protandim treated cells compared to untreated cells. Third, we performed Western Blot assays to measure intracellular

33 levels of Nrf2-regulated antioxidant proteins, such as superoxide dismutase, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase-1 (NQO1), Heme Oxygenase-1, and tumor suppressor protein 53 (p53) in cells treated with Protandim. Our results showed increased levels of p53 and NQO1 in HeLa cells treated with Protandim when compared to untreated cells. This data suggests that increased levels of NQO1 may be protecting p53 from proteasomal degradation. The data collected in this study suggests that Protandim can be used to increase cellular levels of antioxidant and tumor suppressor proteins regulated by Nrf2 and eliminate ROS, thereby reducing oxidative stress and preventing DNA damage. 37. A Computational Investigation of the Properties of N-Rich Salts of 2-Methyl-5-Nitraminotetrazole Joseph Barnes, Gail Blaustein, Chemistry and Biochemistry The purpose of this study was to characterize computationally several nitrogen- rich salts of 2-methyl-5-nitraminotetrazole. The optimized gas-phase geom- etries and the complexation energies were determined using calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. The enthalpies of formation were determined using isodesmic reactions. The enthalpies of combustion were determined using the complete combustion reactions. These are novel results for the gaseous phase of these compounds and provide useful insights into how these complexes behave. 38. WIYN Open Cluster Study: O and Fe Abundances in the Very Young Open Cluster IC 4665 Benjamin Bogner, Constantine Deliyannis, Ryan Maderak, Physics and Astronomy, Indiana University As part of the ongoing Maderak et al. study of evolution of Galactic oxygen as traced by open star clusters, we present the results of a spectroscopic abundance analysis of the very young (age = 30 Myr) open cluster IC 4665. Spectra in the region of the near-infrared oxygen spectral triplet at 7774 Angstroms were acquired using the Hydra multi-object spectrograph on the WIYN 3.5 meter telescope (Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, Arizona). Our somewhat preliminary analysis indicates that the oxygen abundance of this cluster is consistent with the more general finding that young clusters have super-solar oxygen abundances. 39. Burnable Disc/Alternative Fuel Source Matthew Branch, William Giesen, Michael Baltuska, George Emrich, Isaac Meyer, Joseph Marak, Karina Scheller, Kolbe Scheetz, Chemistry and Biochemistry The purpose of our project is to develop an alternative fuel source for the purposes of cooking that would benefit third-world countries. The product is in the form of a patty and made with cooking oil, sawdust, and perlite. When using the product, we placed it in a rock stove and lit it. Since the beginning of the school year, we have been conducting research on the best resources to add to our product. In researching perlite, we saw that it was a heat-resistant material that would not benefit our product. This discovery lead to the searching of new materials that were flammable that we could add, such as ground cinnamon, crushed peanut

34 shell, and crushed and uncrushed allspice. However, the allspice did not give us satisfying results. The cinnamon and crushed peanut shells had a good burn time from the samples we tested. After bringing our concerns regarding perlite to Dr. Scheetz, he explained perlite is a combining material to bind the oil and sawdust together to hold the form of the patty. Through testing, we discovered the best mixtures for burn time and well-producing flame and then tested the heat inten- sity. We placed a beaker with 100mL on top of the rocket stove, suspended above the flame, and took the temperature every minute. Another test we performed was attempting to cook meat and eggs over the fire. The issue of soot buildup needs to be assessed if we want to make this product marketable, but for now we are trying to find the best mixture.

40. Downregulation of the RNAse-E Gene in E. coli using dCas9/CRISPR Nicholas Brose, Anna Schreffler, William Penwell, Biology The goal of this project is to design and execute a method to downregulate the activity of RNAse-E in E. coli, which is important for future development of antibiotics that target the RNAse-E gene. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem in medicine. One of the problems with developing reliable antibiotics is that bacteria will rapidly evolve resistance to the drugs. A possible workaround is to target essential genes. Essential genes are genes that play such an important role that any mutations in the gene will kill the organism. One potential target in gram-negative bacteria is the RNAse-E gene. RNAse-E is a critical protein for gram negative bacteria. It is unique because it both processes RNA into a functional form and breaks down old RNA molecules. Among other things, RNAse-E processes 5s rRNA. This function means that without RNAse-E, the bacteria will be unable to make ribosomes or the proteins made by those ribosomes. During antibiotic testing, usually the target gene would be knocked out in E. coli cultures. RNAse-E is an essential gene, so it must be downregulated instead. In the past, downregulation was achieved using a complicated and difficult method known as anti-sense RNA. In this project, we will be seeing if it is possible to achieve downregulation using dCas9/CRISPR molecules. CRISPR is a complex with the unique ability to seek out, bind to, and modify specific sections of a genome as part of the bacterial immune system. This means that it can be used accurately to edit the genomes of living bacteria. The dCas9 variant we will use is modified so that certain functions of the CRISPR complex are deactivated. It still will be able to seek out and bind to a target portion of the genome, but the cutting and detachment functions of the protein will be nonfunctional. The dCas9 will then sit on the DNA and act as a roadblock to inhibit the transcription of the gene. We will design specific primers that will allow the dCas9/CRISPR system to find the RNAse-E gene to inhibit transcription. If this project is successful, it will provide a method that can be used to test new, more reliable antibiotics, which, in turn, could be used to treat diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

35 41. Ergonomics of Paddling Adam Burke, Steve Spencer, Engineering In the world of human-powered watercraft, body posture is paramount as proper technique improves a paddler’s control of the craft. Heightened control not only reduces muscle fatigue but also increases stroke efficiency, thereby amplifying power delivery to the water. Modern canoe seats promote poor paddling posture, which leads paddlers to kneel off the seats and sit on their feet. While this position affords more control over the canoe, it is uncomfortable for most adults and can cause paresthesia in the feet. The objectives of this project were to research, design, and manufacture an ergonomic canoe seat that will enforce proper posture and allow a full range of motion required for paddling all while keeping the user comfortable. Through the use of computer models and the expertise of a certified paddler, the final seat design can be sized to the individual user and promotes proper paddling technique.

42. Automated Concrete Curing Chamber Brett Burke, Scott Newbolds, Engineering Curing concrete is important because it affects the development of important concrete properties, most importantly the strength. One of the many challenges with concrete work is maintaining an appropriate and stable environment in which the concrete cures. There are several variables in a curing process that affect the final condition of the concrete, one of these being hydration. For proper curing, the concrete must be kept in a warm, humid environment. In previous years, BC students have used various methods to maintain the proper curing environment, but these proved to waste water, energy, and time. For this project, a concrete curing chamber was designed to best address the need for humidity control, water efficiency, and sustainability. A curing chamber was built using a series of mist- ing nozzles and a positive displacement water pump. The humidity of the curing chamber was controlled using a relative humidity sensor and an Arduino UNO microcontroller. The system was designed such that it can be used for classes and many student projects in the future. 43. Hormones and Your Health Rachel Clark, Ann Marie Guernsey, Anna Jacobs, Sydney Wolf, Jackie Harris, Nursing The purpose of this study was to determine if a presentation given by a Nurse Practitioner within the field of Natural Procreative Technology (NaProTechnol- ogy) would yield an increase in college-aged women’s understanding related to their own menstrual cycle, hormonal functions, and common reproductive disor- ders. A survey, assessing basic reproductive knowledge and NaProTechnology awareness, was administered prior to and following the campus-wide presentation to gather data and assess if the presentation improved participants’ baseline knowledge. The same survey, composed of nine multiple-choice questions, was used both before and after the presentation. Following data analysis, six out of the

36 nine questions showed a statistically significant improvement in correct response, therefore demonstrating an increase in knowledge from the presentation. 44. The Effects of SR9243 on HeLa Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis Jacob Cushing, Lane Fry, Jude Severson, Martha Carletti, Biology Studies have shown that SR9243 can be toxic to colon, prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancer cells. However, its function has not been studied in cervical cancer. In this study, we examined the effects of SR9243 in HeLa cervical cancer cells. MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assays and soft-agar colony formation assays were used to study the effects of SR9243 on HeLa cell viability and proliferation. A TUNEL based apoptotic assay was performed to measure SR9243’s ability to induce cell death in HeLa cells. Finally, a scratch assay was performed to measure the effects of SR9243 on HeLa cell migration. We found that SR9243 significantly reduced the proliferation and viability of HeLa cells, increased their apoptosis rate, and decreased their migration rate. The results from these experiments demonstrated the effects of SR9243 on an untested cancer cell line and provided evidence for anti-proliferative, pro- apoptotic, and anti-migratory qualities against HeLa cells in vitro. 45. The Nutrient Network: A Global Ecological Initiative Christine Fast, Brent Mortensen, Biology While the human impacts on ecological systems are well studied, there have been no globally connected experiments to quantify the magnitude of those impacts. Two of the biggest human impacts on the ecosystem are alteration of available nutrients and change in the number and type of consumers. There has been a two to four times increase in nitrogen and phosphorus levels from fossil fuel combustion and agriculture fertilization since pre-industrial times. Native consumers are removed as an effect of habitat loss and destruction, as well as selective hunting and fishing practices while new consumers are introduced for recreational, con- servational or agricultural reasons. The Nutrient Network is a grassroots research effort to address questions of global change, the alteration of biogeochemical cycles and critical ecological species interactions. In 2017, Benedictine College became the most recent addition to the network, hosting one of 80 sites on six continents focusing on nutrients, productivity and diversity relationships. We set up sites in restored prairies with different management strategies, measuring the number of species, relative abundance, total cover, light availability, invasive species, soil microbiome, and biomass. This opens opportunities for future projects. With these sites, students will be able to improve the general understanding of productivity-diversity relationships, analyze plant production and diversity in relationship to limiting nutrients, and observe the effects of common grazers and fertilization.

46. The Invasive Genus Lonicera in Weston Bend State Park Matthew Hart, Terrence Malloy, Biology Throughout the United States, invasive species have become a major problem, outcompeting native species and tearing down ecosystems. Many people notice

37 the invasive animal species, but perhaps more destructive are the invasive plants. In the Eastern United States, species of the genus Lonicera, otherwise known commonly as bush honeysuckle, have spread and have taken over many natural forest habitats. Since the 1800s, this genus has lived in the United States, brought from Asia to be a decorative shrub and prevent erosion. They soon spread across forest land, outcompeting native plants due to quick growth and ability to survive in harsh conditions. These species have spread as far west as Missouri and Kansas. Locally, Weston Bend State Park suffers from a large population of two of these species, L. morrowii and L. maackii. The spread of these species had not been documented to this point. To document the spread, GPS coordinates were taken across the park where the bushes were present. From these GPS coordinates, a comprehensive map was created to document the approximate spread of the species. Further, research was conducted to determine the origin of the species in the area. The plants travelled to the park via bird distribution of seeds. Birds will typically eat the bright red berries off the plants and deposited them in the park throughout migratory seasons. Due to the dense growth of trees and heavy competition, the honeysuckle quickly sprang up, choking out other plants with their high density. As a final part of this project, a group of volunteers will collaborate with the staff of Weston Bend State Park to take part in a removal day. Further collaboration with Weston Bend will be accomplished to set up a series of these days in the future to combat the spread of the invasive plants. This research sets a basis for a great deal of invasive research to come. From this platform, the rehabilitation of Weston Bend State Park can be studied. To help prevent more spread, we can also study the habits of birds or other animals and the way they spread the seeds along major travelling routes. 47. Pregnancy Symptoms: An Exploration on How Everyday Activities Affect the Severity of Pregnancy Discomforts. Maria Lanciotti, MaryBridget Pecha, Brittany Bosarge, Katherine Rich, Casey Wagner, Nursing The purpose of this study is to examine the connection between a woman’s daily experience of selected pregnancy symptoms and how it affects her daily life. Patients receiving prenatal care at the Women’s Clinic at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, MO, voluntarily participated in this study and gave consent by completing a short questionnaire rating their experience of selected pregnancy symptoms and answering some demographic questions to use in data analysis. Nursing students at Benedictine College worked in collaboration with their nursing professor, Casey Wagner, who is a practicing nurse midwife at the Women’s Clinic at Mosaic Life Care. Data from the questionnaires were analyzed and presented in our poster. FsF 48. Race, Trauma, and the School-to-Prison Pipeline Elizabeth Allard, Christi Adams, Education 2:35–2:55 c Room 109 Low income areas have long been understood as sources of increased risk for youth, especially students of color. Even with this, the effects of trauma on

38 students went largely unstudied until relatively recently. Students who face trauma suffer physiological changes that impact future behavior and mental health. This problem is compounded and far more likely in low-income areas as poverty increases risk factors associated with trauma. Furthermore, statistically, this affects students of color disproportionately more than others because of demographics of high-risk areas. This translates into a cycle of poverty, trauma, and, eventually, prison. This report will investigate the risk factors associated with poverty and trauma and analyze how these factors are impacted by race. Additionally, this will explore United States’ prison demographics and ages to link these experiences and consequences in a way that exposes critical flaws in the penal system and in public perception.

49. AIChE ChemE Car Program Research at Benedictine College Phase 1: Power System Development Alissa Muggli, Katharine Hirl, Scott Blonigen, Engineering 2:35–2:55 c Room 124 The purpose of this project is to create a miniature car on behalf of the Benedictine Engineering Department for entry into the ChemE car competition sponsored by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. The cars competing must be controlled and powered by chemical reactions alone. This year’s project focused on the creation of a unique, chemical-based power system in compliance with the AIChE’s stringent safety specifications. The mechanism tested was the electrical output of zinc-air fuel cells using potassium hydroxide as an electrolyte. This reaction was selected based on its potential power output, the small size of the power system, and the ease of manufacturing the components. A manufacturing procedure was developed, tested, and revised to produce a prototype of the fuel cell with assembly instructions.

50. Strangers In a Strange Land: Civilian and Private Organizational Experiences With Refugee Assistance Velia Colunga, David Torres, Laura Moley, Sociology and Criminology 2:35–2:55 c Room 125 This project seeks to understand what motivates people who want to help international refugees entering the United States. Our research examines the experiences of individuals and charitable groups who help international refugees seeking asylum in the United States, the processes and procedures for providing help, and the resulting assistance provided. We present data from an anonymous electronic survey of individuals who have sought to assist refugees through aid organizations, asking the reasons or motivations for wanting to help, including their past experiences that may have contributed to that desire and their current experiences with the process of providing assistance. We also ask about their perceptions of the results of their efforts in terms of the type, level, scope, and effectiveness of the assistance provided. In addition, we include information from interviews with individual volunteers about their specific experiences and perceptions. These data regarding individual experiences are put into a broader

39 context using information gathered through interviews with officials from aid organizations about the development, goals, processes, and results of their agencies’ assistance programs.

51. Creating Assistive Technologies to Aid in Mathematics Education Andrew Miller, Justin Tran, Christopher Hilger, Anna Huber, Nicolaas tenBroek, Mathematics and Computer Science 2:35–2:55 c Room 208 Many students with blindness and low vision (BLV) today have trouble learning fractions due to the common methods used to teach the concepts. This leads to a misunderstanding of how fractions are put together and work, adversely impact- ing their ability to learn higher order concepts. The language used to teach fractions in contemporary school environments relies on seeing a spatial relationship between the two numbers, and the linear way that fractions are represented in Braille only increases this misunderstanding. The purpose of this project is to develop an app to help students with BLV learn about fractions using more acces- sible methods that better teach the concepts.

52. “Still ‘Civilized’ But Deeply Divided”: The Cherokee’s Struggle Against Tribal Division, 1835–1877 Matthew Swoboda, Joshua Wolf, History 2:35–2:55 c Room 219 My project will examine the Cherokee Tribe during the U.S. Civil War Era. When the Cherokee were pressured into participating in the Civil War, the tribe could not avoid confronting, head-to-head, their many divisive problems. The Chero- kee’s struggles for sovereignty and to become a strong, unified nation were exac- erbated by the conflict. My main focus in this project is to look at the evolving divisions within the Cherokee, beginning with how the partitions arose within the tribe prior to the war and how the war deepened these separations while simultaneously creating new ones. I aim to also discuss how the many problems that the Cherokee faced in their attempts to assert their sovereignty to the United States interplayed with the growing divisions of the tribe. This project is unique in its delineation from the great amount of research that has been done on how the divisions within the Cherokee relate to the tribe’s fights for sovereignty and against encroachment by the United States. I will be keeping discussion of the Cherokee’s relationship with the United States and the federal government’s involvement in tribal affairs to the bare minimum. Instead, I will be predominantly discussing how the divisions were brought forth from within the tribe and how these divisions and the Civil War affected the tribe as a whole.

53. “To You Have I Lifted My Soul”: Senior Theology Thesis Defense Skyler Neberman, Andrew Salzmann, Matthew Ramage, Stephen Mirarchi, Theology, English 2:35–3:25 c Gangel Seminar Room “To You Have I Lifted My Soul” seeks to examine the question of whether there is a form of music proper to the Roman Mass or if the art used in the liturgy is

40 ultimately interchangeable or arbitrary. The thesis argues that the Biblically based texts of the Mass Proper best express the nature of the Mass as a Sacrifice of the Word and that Gregorian chant is uniquely at the service of the Mass texts on account of its fundamentally text-centered nature.

54. Shut Up, You’re Wrong! Shelly Loosbrock, Maryrose Pokorny, Adam Buhman-Wiggs, Psychological Sciences 2:35–2:55 c Room 323 Previous studies suggest that empathy and religiosity moderate mortality salience effects on political polarization. This study’s hypothesis predicts that priming empathy and intrinsic religiosity will decrease the extremity of political polarization. To test this, the authors designed an online survey in which political polarization, trait empathy, and intrinsic religiosity are measured. All participants were then given a written mortality salience prime, after which each were randomly assigned either a neutral, empathy, or intrinsic religiosity prime. The measure of polarization was then repeated. Participants’ scores were compared to their previous responses to determine whether depolarization occurred.

55. Fighting With Fractions: Finding the Whole Solution Catherine Rea, Angela Broaddus, Mathematics and Computer Science 3:05–3:25 c Room 109 As students advance through math classes, they often develop misunderstandings about foundational concepts. In preparation for this study, the researcher has consulted available literature to gather insights into the typical difficulties students have in understanding fractions, specifically the common misconceptions related to fractions that underlie students’ difficulties in middle and high school mathematics. I have used the literature to design a diagnostic instrument (i.e., set of questions) that I will use as the basis of an interview with selected students. In my presentation I will discuss the responses given by the students, compare these responses to anecdotes and findings in the relevant literature, and suggest subsequent strategies for addressing students’ misunderstandings. The results of this study will provide K-12 educators a brief review of some of the literature related to difficulties with fractions as well as descriptions of some strategies for addressing and remediating students’ difficulties with fractions.

56. Intelligent Parallelization of Numerical Solvers Paul Modlin, Nickolas Hein, Mathematics and Computer Science 3:05–3:25 c Room 124 Large systems of equations are used in many fields, including engineering, mathematics, physics, and other sciences. Often these systems are nonlinear in nature. Through path-tracking software, these systems can be solved numerically and in parallel. For this project, we explore methods of exploiting geometric structure in certain kinds of nonlinear systems to reduce redundant paths and improve the

41 performance of these solvers. We compare the performance of these methods to methods that do not exploit this structure. We also examine the limitations of these methods and ways to circumvent them.

57. Culturally Transformative Literature in Education: The Transition From Disability to Exceptionality Paul Imgrund, Susan Traffas, Honors Program 3:05–3:25 c Room 125 My study seeks to answer how literature can best promote an inclusive society for individuals with disabilities. I read many books, chiefly young adult fiction commonly utilized in the classroom as well as some literary criticism, to address this question. I synthesized my studies within the college’s special education program and my reading into a presentation on how disability has been presented and ought to be presented in literature. In most so-called transformative literature on disability, the plot of the story centers around a protagonist’s disability and relates how he/she came to self-acceptance. What role should a character’s disability play in a story? How should disability itself be represented? The presentation examines these questions and asks whether or not a book promotes inclusion simply by having a disabled protagonist.

58. Vortex Chiller Tubes Daniel Hayes, Steve Spencer, Engineering 3:05–3:25 c Room 208 A vortex chiller tube is a mechanical device that creates two streams of air, one hot and one cold, when supplied with compressed air. This is done without use of moving parts, chemical reactions, or external heat sources. Commercially, the hot and cold streams can reach 200ᵒF and –30ᵒF, respectively. A vortex chiller was designed and prototyped for Discovery Day 2017 but was unable to achieve the temperature range of the commercial model. This was attributed to several deficiencies in the previous design. Firstly, during the presentation of last year’s model, the air compressor used did not have the necessary air capacity needed for the system to reach equilibrium. Thus, dual air inlets have been incorporated in the new design to allow two air compressors to be attached to the system. Secondly, precise hot air control is crucial to creating a maximum temperature difference between the air streams. A remanufactured air flow valve replaces the control valve from last year and has been secured to a frame that holds the complete device to stabilize the control valve. Lastly, the internals of the tube have been redesigned to create a higher velocity vortex and therefore more effective tube design. Come and learn how a vortex chiller tube works and see the tube in action!

59. Alpha and Omega: Word Placement in The Aeneid Book One Catherine McCormick, Sarah Young, English 3:05–3:25 c Room 219 For a long time, I’ve been aware that Latin word order, especially the intricate placement of words at the beginning and end of a line in poetry, lent a dimension

42 of sense that English and spoken Romance languages lack. While modern spoken languages rely heavily on word order to express syntax, Latin’s case endings allow word order to be used for rhetorical effect. Because The Aeneid is often read in translation rather than the original Latin, this raises the question: Do people who read The Aeneid in translation experience this unique linguistic phenomenon? To answer this question, I gathered six prominent verse translations of Book One of The Aeneid, mostly representing the last 100 years of The Aeneid in translation, to see if translators could and would preserve the nuances of word placement, particularly the first and last words of lines. I then translated a selection of lines to demonstrate the possibility and difficulty of keeping the original word order, and finally investigated options for rearranging lines within the constraints of the meter to show that Virgil placed words where he did for a purpose, to draw his readers attention to key concepts.

60. Tam Trepidans Advenio Margaret Boone, Katherine Ross, Marcela Heffernan, Patricia Lombardo, Stephanie Baalmann, Nicole Buchman, Emily Kennebeck, Kateri Determan, Anna Gowasack, Trini Crocker, Tess Schuck, MeiLi Kok, Angela Rodriguez, Rebecca Hess, Rebecca Madison, Alison Blanchat, Landon Downing, Daniel Kopitke, Callum Hubka, Gabriel Heffernan, Timothy Heron, Matthew Bridge, Austin Lager, Nicholas Peterson, Trace Flax, Douglas Wahl, Joseph Farrell, Edward Mulholland, World and Classical Languages and Cultures 3:05–3:25 c O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium Following after a long line of poet/composer collaborations, this project focussed on the art of language and using music to express and better exemplify the meaning of a text. This project is a study on the process of taking a concept and creating an original piece of art out of it. It began with the creation of a text by Miriam Walski and Dr. Mulholland, then a translation, then was worked into a choral piece. This piece was built with the help of many Benedictine College students and faculty and has been a work in progress since fall 2016. After months of preparation, it will be performed by a choir of extremely talented individuals. The creation of this piece is an extension of my studies of music composition throughout my time at Benedictine College. I used techniques from conducting classes, as well as the knowledge I gained from Music Theory and Music Composition classes to help me set the foundation of this piece. I also had the opportunity to speak with experienced composers as well as lyricists about their experiences collaborating with each other and how that relationship normally works. I used past textbooks, such as The Study of Counterpoint from J. J. Fux’s Gradus ad Parnassum translated by Alfred Mann and Techniques of the Contemporary Composer by David Cope, to guide me through the composition process of writing a choral work. Dr. Mulholland and I worked hard to communicate our thoughts and to express extra-musical ideas throughout the choral piece as the project is a study of bringing a text to life through music. The text itself was inspired by the different images of the Pietà, which I also had the opportunity to learn about and study over Christmas break in Rome with the Benedictine College Chamber Singers.

43 The piece contains word painting, and the music expresses much symbolism and references specific to religious ceremonies and events.

61. The Do’s and Don’ts of Holding an Internship Camrie Ventry, William Raymond, Political Science 3:05–3:25 c Room 323 An internship is a path that most students take in order to gain experience and set themselves up for success in their field of study. Becoming involved in the workforce as an intern is a big leap, so one has to wonder if there is sound advice that can actually help in the preparation and conduct for an internship. “The Do’s and Don’ts of Holding an Internship” covers topics such as the application process, common intern mistakes, and insights from former interns and their supervisors. This project’s primary research question was “What information and insights can interns and their supervisors provide to help students who are considering applying for an internship?” The project’s methodology consisted of gaining insights from a literature review, lessons learned and advice from interns and their supervisors through a series of interviews with the author, and the author’s actual internship experiences over two summers. The marketplace is becoming more competitive so having insightful advice before becoming an intern can make a world of difference during the duration of an internship.

62. Period. Full Stop. Hannah Voss, Julia Bowen, English 3:35–3:55 c Room 109 Could ending period stigma in the developing world create better living conditions for an entire population? The subject of a woman’s menstrual period in the United States is still one most people avoid in polite company. While companies like Thinx are attempting to break down this taboo, they face criticism and institutional roadblocks. For example, in 2015, Thinx attempted to advertise on the New York Subway with the tagline, “Underwear for women with periods.” Metro Transit Authority had these advertisements removed, claiming lewdness and concerns over child exposure to the concept of periods. Meanwhile, women in various states of undress advertising vacations or breast augmentation surgery were allowed to remain. If this is the level of stigma surrounding periods in New York, imagine then what women face in the developing world where they lack access to both education about periods and products to manage theirs, while also being limited daily as a result of menstrual myths. Misunderstanding and stigma surrounding periods create a culture in which women are not able to function fully in their communities while on their period, barring them from education and other avenues of self-advancement and equality. “Period. Full Stop.” investigates the ways in which period stigma is perpetuated in African communities, how this stigma negatively affects women, and whether alleviating this stigma could have a positive effect on their societies as a whole.

44 63. Educators as Builders of Global Community Monica McDonough, Alyssa Patterson, Catherine Hutchens, Christi Adams, Education 3:35–3:55 c Room 124 Over 1,000 Benedictine College students have studied abroad, and hundreds have participated in mission trips around the world. These experiences offer invaluable insight into the cultures of various countries and their specific educational practices. Our research sought to answer the question: “How have Ravens (students, faculty, and alumni) interacted with education globally?” Drawing on surveys and personal interviews, our findings depict educational conditions and cultural mindsets about education in several European countries and various developing nations across the globe. As future educators, we also explored the function and role of schools within diverse cultures to understand the value placed on education worldwide. 64. Dialoguing With the Saints: An Artist’s Response to Laudato Si Katherine Lang, Susan Traffas, Honors Program 3:35–3:55 c Room 125 In his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis invited the world to participate in a dialogue about the care for the environment. How a person may participate in and respond to this invitation naturally varies depending on his or her situation, abilities, and talents. The goal of this project is to investigate how an artist might participate in this dialogue, while simultaneously creating work that is in the spirit of John Paul II’s letter to artists. With these documents in mind, a series of watercolor paintings were created. These paintings are inspired by experiences in the Amazon rainforest, an important ecosystem in need of conservation. 65. Hatshepsut: History’s Forgotten King Kelsey Runge, John Romano, History 3:35–3:55 c Room 208 The ancient world produced some of the most legendary figures in history. Names such as Alexander, Caesar, and Cleopatra are known throughout the world for their endeavors. One of the lesser known figures in history, however, is the Egyptian pharaoh Hatshepsut, who also happens to be one of the most intriguing. She ruled Egypt from approximately 1479–1458 BCE. As a woman in ancient Egypt, she already enjoyed more rights than her Greek and Roman sisters. She was born into a New Kingdom (1570–1069 BCE) royal family when Egypt was experiencing great prosperity and influence, and as a princess, she enjoyed education and training for which few could ever hope. As a young woman who was groomed for power and wielded considerable influence from the beginning, Hatshepsut was able to use her political dexterity and position of privilege to achieve a level of authority that was practically unheard of for a woman: she became pharaoh. Throughout her career as one of the most powerful people in the ancient world, Hatshepsut was able to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that a woman could take the reins of an imperial powerhouse and excel.

45 This paper will examine the Egyptian traditions and belief systems that typically kept women out of power and how Hatshepsut proved to the Egyptian people, who preferred strict adherence to the tradition of male pharaohs, that women were fully capable of running the powerful Egyptian empire. Despite the fact that she was female, Hatshepsut often portrayed herself as a male king in order to justify her rule. The specific conditions that led to Hatshepsut’s ascendance to the throne will also be dissected, along with her contributions to Egypt’s Golden Age. With- out Hatshepsut’s reign, the Egyptian New Kingdom might never have achieved the wealth and influence it is remembered for today.

66. Exploration of Nickel Complexes for the Catalytic Production of Acetaldehyde From Ethanol Michael Salemi, John Waters, Natalie Smaron, Kolbe Scheetz, Chemistry and Biochemistry 3:35–3:55 c Room 219 As we become more aware of the impacts of relying solely on petroleum based chemicals for our chemical feedstocks, finding renewable sources of simple chemicals is becoming a much higher priority. Our group is focused on the possibility of producing acetaldehyde from ethanol (a renewable and green source of carbon). While this transformation is known utilizing expensive metal based catalysts, the harsh conditions and high cost of the metals prevent it from being an economically viable option. Our approach is to decrease the cost of the catalyst by changing the metal in the catalyst to a more abundant and less expensive one. For the initial investigation, we have selected nickel as a candidate to replace metals in known systems. Recognizing that the ligands in a metal complex can greatly change the properties and chemistry of the metal, we are investigating complexes with a variety of well-known ligands. Currently we have synthesized several nickel complexes including a dichloro-bis(triphenylphosine) nickel(II), tetrapyridinenickel(II) nitrate, bis(bipyridine)nickel(II) nitrate, and a bis(tricyclohexylphosphine)nickel(II) acetate. These complexes have been char- acterized via Uv-vis and FT-IR. We have recently begun experiments to reduce the Ni (II) metal in these complexes to a Ni (0). This step will be necessary to generate a compound that could be catalytically active for the production of acetaldehyde from ethanol.

67. The Civil War Ball: A Timeless Experience Kristina Martell, Matthew Swoboda, Michael D’Arcangelis, Gregory Reising, Adam Landry, Kelly Schuck, Katharine Caughron, Victoria Caranna, Joshua Wolf, History 3:35–4:05 c O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium Through this project we explored the dances, music, and formal dress of the American Civil War era. By doing research into the history of Civil War balls, we learned the role these balls played in society and what they would have looked like in the 1860s. Balls were primarily formal social events, usually held by the upper class for those of similar class and social standing to them. In both the

46 North and the South, the balls were typically held as fundraisers for charity or the war effort, as well as a means to facilitate social introductions or courtships. We then took this information and applied it to a recreation of a Civil War ball. We learned how to dance two different styles of Civil War dances: line dances and quadrilles. Line dances are danced with a line of gentlemen facing a line of ladies, all standing opposite of their partners. Quadrilles are derived from the French cotillion and from the French square form of the contredance and were extremely popular at balls during the mid-nineteenth century. They are danced with four couples forming a square. We then chose music and dress made in the style of the Civil War era. Dress plays an important role in the dances as it affects the movement of both the ladies, who wore elaborate gowns and hoopskirts, and the gentlemen, who must navigate their steps to lead the ladies without hindering the hoopskirts. The dances we will be performing are the Virginia Reel and the Lancers Quadrille. 68. Presenting Aeschylus’ Agamemnon on a Modern Stage Naomi Muggli, Alissa Muggli, Joseph Hrenchir, Edward Mulholland, World and Classical Languages and Cultures 3:35–3:55 c Gangel Seminar Room The purpose of this project was to recreate the experience of ancient Greek tragedy in presenting Aeschylus’ Agamemnon for a modern, English-speaking audience. The performance uses an English translation of Agamemnon by Tony Harrison that mimics the rhythmic, song-like qualities of ancient Greek verse, approaching in English what a tragedy would have sounded like to Greek ears. The choral odes, and the movement accompanying them, reflects the importance of song and dance to Greek drama. The use of masks for the chorus follows the Greek tradition where all actors wore masks to accentuate their features and project their voices. While adhering to the Greek model in many respects, this project departs from it in a few ways such as using an indoor stage, rather than holding the performance outdoors as the Greeks did, and casting women in female roles, rather than copying the Greek tradition of all-male performers. Regarding cos- tumes, sets, and lighting design, the performance places less emphasis on copying Greek models and seeks to create, using modern tools, the dramatic experience Aeschylus intended for his audiences. After all, the words of Aeschylus truly bridge the gap between the stones of an ancient Greek theater and the less stony surface of a modern stage. The tragedy of Agamemnon, that of vengeance mis- taken for justice, and desire confused with necessity, remains as powerful and relevant for modern audiences as it did for those in ancient times.

69. Econometrics of the Domestic Box Office Benjamin Schutte, Eric West, Susan Traffas, Mathematics and Computer Science, Honors Program 3:35–3:55 c Room 323 The film industry is extremely volatile. It can be very difficult to determine which films will be successful and which will flop. My goal for this project was to create

47 a model that could predict how much revenue a film would gross domestically. I first compiled a database of over 700 films, and then used econometric, multivariable non-linear regression to isolate various independent variables related to domestic revenue. The result of this work was a 16-variable model that predicts for 80% of variation in domestic revenue. This project is the cumulation of my work in economics, mathematics, and the honors program at Benedictine, and I will continue to improve it as I learn more advanced econometric techniques in graduate school.

70. Site Development for A Simple House – Nicaragua Kienan McIntee, Matthew Johll, Daniel Hayes, Paul Wessel, Scott Newbolds, Engineering 4:05–4:25 c Room 109 A Simple House – Nicaragua is developing a new mission in San Marcos, Nicaragua. A plot of land has been obtained by the missionaries, and they have plans to cultivate the site for job development opportunities in the area. Benedictine College engineering students connected with the head of the organization about the potential for future projects involving both Benedictine College and A Simple House. One need that was identified was to survey the land they intend to develop. Students trained on how to collect the necessary data and learned how to develop these data into a site plan. During a mission trip to Nicaragua in 2018, Benedictine College engineering students collected data needed to develop a site plan for the mission. Coordinate data were collected using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. These data were then put into a digital terrain modeling program, Autodesk Civil 3D, in order to generate the site plan. This plan will be used by the missionaries in order to help locate the planned buildings and road at the site. The plan will also be used for future projects at the site, such as a proposed water collection system.

71. Outside In: A New Take on the Traditional Classroom Rachel Shaver, Monica Loesel, Christi Adams, Education 4:05–4:25 c Room 124 A van full of boisterous middle schoolers taking a field trip. A science lab containing a concoction of homemade slime. Do these experiential and hands- on instructional methods enhance learning, and are they worth the time, money, and effort? Our research sought to explore various ways in which the principles of outdoor education could be implemented in a typical K–12 setting. Outdoor education does not only apply to camping or hiking, but also can be anything that involves stepping outside of the four walls of the classroom to learn in the real world. For many of the professionals we interviewed, outdoor education (defined in our project as anything best learned outside the classroom) served as an important method with inherent educational value. Participants also highlighted specific challenges of utilizing the principles of outdoor education, such as budget, preparation time, and implementation. Despite the challenges, outdoor education fosters enhanced application of classroom learning as well as

48 opportunities to grow in leadership skills as experiences become a “vehicle” for learning. From interviews with practitioners of outdoor education, we propose a vision of education where teachers create an environment of trust and respect in and outside of their classroom, employ innovative teaching methods, and embed learning in hands-on and sometimes messy experiences. Experiential outdoor education may be just what the doctor ordered!

72. Modeling Biological Invasions With the Reaction-Diffusion Equation Jessica Linton, Susan Traffas, Honors Program 4:05–4:25 c Room 125 Every year, invasive species cause irreversible damage to economies and ecosystems worldwide. Preventing the spread of such species is an important step toward reducing impact on native flora and fauna, along with preserving local economies. A noteworthy example is Japanese knotweed, Fallopia japonica, a perennial native to Eastern Asia. It was introduced to the United States in the 1870s as an ornamental plant and has since displaced native vegetation and clogged rivers. Because fragments from the main plant can generate new sprouts, transport of such fragments by river networks may play a key role in its spread. To understand better the impact of a river on the spread of Japanese knotweed, we applied the Crank-Nicolson time splitting method to a reaction-diffusion model and compared our results with field data to assess its accuracy.

73. Green Energy, Pink Plastic, and Quantum Dots: Solar Energy Harvesting Through Luminescent Solar Concentrators Marie Rioux, Nathaniel Strandquist, Georgiy Shcherbatyuk, Physics and Astronomy 4:05–4:25 c Room 208 As the demand for renewable energy increases, so does the relevance of sustainable solar-energy harvesting. Current harvesting techniques vary dramatically both in design and cost of materials; among them, luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) show advantages in cost-effectiveness, device design, and adaptability. First, LSCs use inexpensive plastics in conjunction with nanosized semiconductors called quantum dots to absorb and remit solar energy. Second, their design eliminates the need for direct sunlight present in current solar panel designs. Last, they easily integrate into pre-existing designs, such as windows or blinds, thereby serving a dual purpose. This project extended prior research in three areas: developing cylindrical samples doped with fluorescent dye, polishing the edges of samples produced in prior research toward an optical clarity, and developing a method for prepolymerizing and curing new samples under a nitrogen atmosphere, which eliminates oxidization in preparation for quantum dot addition.

49 74. Mathematically Visualizing, Analyzing, and Evaluating the BC General Education Requirements Kasandra Short, Heidi Hulsizer, Mathematics and Computer Science 4:05–4:25 c Room 219 This presentation focuses on graphically visualizing and performing statistical analysis on the current Benedictine College course catalog in regards to the catalog as a whole and the progression of general education requirements under the current graduation requirements. Analysis will be based on current and past cata- logs and will compare and evaluate how the general education requirements have evolved over the past fifteen years. Additional analysis will be done by utilizing the graphic visualization of the course catalog compared to visualizations of the general education requirements. There will be additional focus on how various academic fields contribute to the general course requirements for graduation. By examining these factors, this presentation will demonstrate the value of an inter- connected, liberal arts education.

75. Life’s Assignments: An Original Play Catherine Hutchens, Sara Hutchens, Matthew Ramsey, Education 4:15–5:05 c O’Malley-McAllister Auditorium The goal of this project is to seek a greater understanding of how intolerance and a failure to include those with differences in the school setting impacts the lives of those with disabilities and their families. Drawing on personal experiences in our own families, those of our friends, and the ideal model presented in course work within the special education major, we seek to write an original play. This play will follow the everyday life of the Connors family, the obstacles they encoun- ter, and the beauty that comes from it. We seek to create meaning surrounding the misconceptions and prejudice against those with disabilities. Our goal is to open up conversation and remodel outdated concepts and vocabulary by showing people that disabilities are a natural part of human life.

76. The Best Years of Our Lives: A Personal Journey of the Daughter of a Career Soldier Jazzmin Wilson, John Settich, Political Science 4:05–4:25 c Room 323 Most Americans do not realize that when our nation goes to war, military families are also deployed in ways that bring anxiety, joy, and patriotic fervor. Since World War II, Americans seem to have indifference or ignorance of the price that military families pay. As the oldest child of a career solider, I have spent my life watching my father serve our country. He served with distinction in combat and in other foreign deployments. This research project outlines the data and dimensions of American military families since September 11, 2001. Scholarly journals and other reliable sources detail the facts of adjustment, survival, rehabilitation, grief, marital discord, and financial stress. I have conducted a meta-analysis of those studies. In addition, I personalize this project with my own reflections. I am my

50 father’s daughter, fiercely patriotic and eager to serve. However, in this research project I want my fellow students to appreciate the human costs of war as seen from the Wilson’s family table.

77. Lost Wax Casting Madeline Stella, Bryan Park, Art 4:35–4:55 c Room 109 Since at least the 4th millenium BC, people have used lost wax casting to create metal objects for functional and artistic purposes. Although ancient in origin, it is a process widely used in the 21st century because of its ability to capture precise detail and offer flexibility in design. For this project I explored the lost wax casting process by taking a couple of my own original sculptures and bringing them to a finished cast metal state. The key steps of lost wax casting include making a wax copy of the original model, creating an investment mold around that wax, and then melting out the wax from within the mold. This creates an empty mold into which molten metal can be poured. At this presentation you will learn some fascinating history of lost wax casting, experience some original cast artwork, hear about my decisions in investment material and kiln preparation, and see how the casting process is done step-by- step!

78. Bike Rack Design for Atchison Bike Share Skyler Valdez, Michael Miller, Andrew Buss, Dalton Smith, John Krishnan Myjak, Joseph LaRosa, Maximilian Davy, Patrick O’Malley, Engineering 4:35–4:55 c Room 124 The purpose of this project is to design bike racks for the Atchison Bike Share. The requirements placed on the bike racks are that they be unique to the Atchison area and be produced and assembled in conjunction with the Highland welding students. The overall goal is to create a set of bike racks that are easily recogniz- able, thematically similar to one another, and capable of storing up to five bikes. Durability and functionality are of main concern in the finalization of the chosen bike rack designs of which there will be up to six. This project is also an important opportunity for Benedictine College to collaborate with the surrounding town of Atchison whose city council recruited its engineering and architecture students to design their racks. This cross-disciplinary aspect of the venture is a vital part of how we plan to achieve our goal of creating an intelligent and tasteful design that suits the cityscape and its essential elements with special concern being placed on strength, durability, manufacturing process, and budget constraints. In addition to this, one prototype will be assembled for presentation on Discovery Day while any additional concepts are to be included in a digital format to reduce the strain placed on production time. The result of the aforementioned considerations will be a bike rack that both captures the historical significance of Atchison and promotes the Bike Share’s healthy living initiatives.

51 79. 168 App Creation Rosalie Wilkerson, Ayden Pugh, John Wostenberg, Kevin Page, Journalism and Mass Communications 4:35–4:55 c Room 125 After starting to design an app for a class project in Interaction Design, we decided that we wanted to see if we could learn how to create the app and if we could eventually get it on the app store. After starting our creation by making a storyboard on paper, we progressed to a website that gave us a better idea of how our app would look on an iPhone layout. After that, we decided to start coding the app to make it available on the app store.

80. Colloidal Synthesis of PbS Quantum Dots Nathaniel Strandquist, Christopher Palm, Joseph Hrenchir, Georgiy Shcherbatyuk, Physics and Astronomy 4:35–4:55 c Room 208 Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconducting nanoparticles that exhibit properties intermediate between those of individual atoms or molecules and those of a bulk semiconductor. Those properties are frequently desirable for research, especially for optical and solar energy harvesting applications. Commercially available QDs, however, are often prohibitively expensive. Instead, we are attempting to synthesize lead sulfide QDs on campus. They are synthesized by dissolving powdered lead oxide in oleic acid and octadecene. The resulting solution is then heated under nitrogen to form lead oleate, after which bis (tri-methylsilyl) sulfide (TMS) is dissolved in octadecene and added to the lead oleate, where it reacts to form PbS nanocrystals. We also want to measure the optical properties of the QDs to see if they are suitable for further research applications.

81. Nonprofit, For Prophet: How Your Christian Charity Can Change the World Evelyn Wagner, Stephen Smith, Michael King, School of Business 4:35–4:55 c Room 219 Charitable organizations are a tangible way through which individuals can have long-term influence on the world. However, would a standard Benedictine graduate, without prior business experience, be able successfully to start and run a nonprofit? What are the necessary forms? How long would it take, and how much would it cost? Where would the funding come from? We originally thought that starting and running a charity would be too big of an undertaking for the typical Raven. However, after extensive research into the subject (including interviews and hands-on experience with organizations such as FOCUS, Bridges, and Camp Wojtyla) we discovered that with a plan, commitment, and help from the right people, starting a charitable organization can be an attainable venture for anyone. Through this project, we developed step-by-step instructions for forming, financ- ing, and operating a nonprofit organization.

52 82. Madam President – 2020? Maryclaire Muskett, Elizabeth Lademan, Kayla Johnson, Rita Maslanka, Matlin McFarren, William Raymond, Political Science 4:35–4:55 c Room 323 Today, the United States prides itself on the positive steps made to improve gender inequality and equal opportunities nationwide. Since the 19th Amendment passed in 1920 allowing women the right to vote, women have continued to gain momentum on their journey to significant political careers. Since 1920, women have held important political leadership positions at the local and federal levels of government including mayor, governor, members of Congress, and Cabinet Secretaries. Despite these achievements, a woman has yet to be elected to the most influential and important position, the President of the United States. The goal of this project was to uncover why the United States has yet to elect a female President. Does an unspoken gender bias still exist in the workplace especially in government positions? Is it merely an issue of time with a woman’s desire to raise a family placing her “behind” on a career in politics compared to the men? Or is it the lack of interest in a political career because she sees the effectiveness of activeness at the local or state level or even in volunteer organizations? The first part of this project was a look at the history of women in U.S. politics. The second part of this project was a survey of the 105 female members of Con- gress on why they believe the United States has yet to elect a female President. The third part of this project provides answers to the questions above and makes recommendations on how women can achieve the highest office in the country.

53 (28) Johll Study Keiss Wittig x KayBak FLC 323 Wurtz (35) Wurtz An Acoustical and Religiosity O’Malley (21) If I Die Before I If I Die Before Buhman-Wiggs Buhman-Wiggs Wake: Fear, Horror, Horror, Fear, Wake: Voss Room Sattler Imagism” Bowen (20) (9:45–10:35) J. Young (34) J. Young Their Own Image: Banking Dilemma Thesis Defense of “In Italy’s Bad Debt and Italy’s FLC Gangel Seminar FLC Gangel Seminar Educational Origins of H.D. and Amy Lowell’s Amy Lowell’s H.D. and Dea Pierick Medara Fiction? FLC 219 Wolf (33) Wolf Scholastica Privilege at The Japanese Wallace (27) Wallace Botanical Latin Mulholland (19) Prints of Mount St. Benedictine: Fact or Schutte Cinema Hoover Masucci FLC 208 — Dining Hall Harris (18) Hinds (26) Henry (32) Guatemala (Presentation number in parentheses) VBA and the VBA

Finance Fields in Accounting and Benefits of Coding Access to Care … Access to Care Health Beliefs and Economic Modeling of the Atchison Royal of the Lunch , Park (22) (10:15–11:15) Ferrell Academic Center (McAllister Board Room) (1–14) Ferrell Jazz Band Entertainment

— — Ferrell Academic Center (McAllister Board Room) (36–47) — Ferrell

Laity Gilme Alicea College Donahoe FLC 125 Posey (17) Ramsey (31) Students With Students With Ramage (25) The Effects on The Effect of a High School to Pre-K Students Pre-K Classroom Pet … Classroom Disabilities … From Disabilities … From the Perspective of Amoris Laetitia From Amoris Laetitia From Poster/Exhibit Session #1 Poster/Exhibit Session #2 Lind Francois FLC 124 Fitzgerald Pathway to J. Young (16) J. Young Bounce Back Helgesen (24) (Outside Bishop Fink Hall, weather permitting) (Outside Bishop Fink Hall, weather The Benedictine Discovery Day 2018 Schedule Overview Academic Success Buhman-Wiggs (30) Buhman-Wiggs of the Plastic Bag Tax The Behavioral Effects All presentations will take place in the Ferrell Academic Center unless otherwise indicated. All presentations will take place in the Ferrell All are invited to a light breakfast in the Napier Foyer (Fourth Floor), Ferrell Academic Center (FLC) Academic Center (Fourth Floor), Ferrell Foyer in the Napier invited to a light breakfast All are

Artistic Possibilities of Sand Casting Techniques x Gomez, Lang Clum Students Nguyen FLC 109 Winder (23) Winder Raymond (15) Salzmann (29) Painted Turtles A School for the A Lord’s Service … Lord’s and … High School Comparative Study of Lactic Acid … in of Lactic Presidential Libraries Presidential Cistercian Pedagogy Cistercian Hatching Sliders and 8:30 9:35 11:05 8:40– 9:45– 10:05 10:35 12:10 12:50 11:15– 11:30– 10:15– 10:45–

54 (54) Wilson Ventry – 2020? Muskett Schutte Wrong! FLC 323 West (69) West Settich (76) Box Office Loosbrock The Do’s and The Do’s an Internship Raymond (82) Raymond (61) Econometrics a Career Soldier a Career The Best Years of The Best Years Madam President Madam President of the Domestic Buhman-Wiggs Buhman-Wiggs Shut Up, You’re Shut Up, You’re of the Daughter Don’ts of Holding Don’ts Our Lives: Journey (3:35–3:55)

(3:35–4:05) (68)

Thesis Boone Martell ******* Hutchens Salzmann Neberman N. Muggli (4:15–5:05) Agamemnon Ramsey (75) Auditorium Original Play (53) (2:35–3:25) Mulholland (60) The Civil War Ball The Civil War FLC Gangel Room FLC Gangel Room Wolf (67) Wolf FLC Gangel Room Presenting Aeschylus’ Aeschylus’ Presenting O’Malley-McAllister O’Malley-McAllister Life’s Assignments: An Life’s Soul”: Senior Theology O’Malley-McAllister Tam Trepidans Advenio Trepidans Tam “To You Have I Lifted My You “To or O’Malley-McAllister or Mulholland Short Wagner Salemi Ethanol King (81) FLC 219 Swoboda Wolf (52) Wolf McCormick Hulsizer (74) Scheetz (66) S. Young (59) S. Young Mathematically Against Tribal Against Tribal Ed. Requirements Christian Charity … Production of … Production Still ‘Civilized’ … Still ‘Civilized’ Word Placement in Word Alpha and Omega: Acetaldehyde From Acetaldehyde From Visualizing, Analyzing, Visualizing, Cherokee’s Struggle Cherokee’s Nonprofit, For Prophet: For Prophet: Nonprofit, and Evaluating BC Gen. Exploration of Nickel The Aeneid Book One The Division (1835–1877) • O'Malley-McAllister Auditorium • O'Malley-McAllister King Rioux Miller Hayes Runge FLC 208 Education Strandquist Hatshepsut: Spencer (58) tenBroek (51) Romano (65) Technologies to Technologies Shcherbatyuk (73) Shcherbatyuk (80) PbS Quantum Dots Green Energy, Pink Energy, Green Creating Assistive Creating Aid in Mathematics Plastic, and Quantum Colloidal Synthesis of Dots: Solar Energy … Dots: Solar Energy History’s Forgotten Forgotten History’s Vortex Chiller Tubes Vortex Dr. Michael Dolski Dr. Lang Linton Imgrund Equation Colunga FLC 125 Page (79) Traffas (57) Traffas Traffas (72) Traffas Wilkerson Moley (50) Traffas (64) Traffas Exceptionality Strangers in a Strange Land: From Disability to From Invasions With the Invasions With Reaction-Diffusion 168 App Creation Modeling Biological Refugee Assistance Refugee Dialoguing With the Dialoguing With Literature in Education: Literature Saints: … Laudato Si Culturally Transformative Culturally Transformative Keynote Address: Keynote • Valdez Shaver Modlin FLC 124 Hein (56) Classroom Intelligent Adams (71) A. Muggli Adams (63) O’Malley (78) McDonough Blonigen (49) Outside In: A New Outside In: Parallelization of Numerical Solvers Atchison Bike Share Bike Rack Design for Program Research Program AlChE ChemE Car Take on the Traditional on the Traditional Take of Global Community Educators as Builders Rea Voss Stella Allard McIntee FLC 109 Nicaragua Park (77) Adams (48) Bowen (62) Fighting With Fighting With Newbolds (70) Broaddus (55) Race, Trauma, Race, Trauma, Site Development Prison Pipeline Lost Wax Casting Lost Wax the Whole Solution Fractions: Finding Period. Full Stop. for A Simple House - for and the School-to- 2:20 2:55 3:25 3:55 4:25 4:55 1:00– 2:35– 3:05– 3:35– 4:05– 4:35–

55 Notes

56 Index of Presenters by Session (Lead Presenters) Adams, Christi 48, 63, 71 Alicea, Marisol 25 Allard, Elizabeth 48 Anderson, Eden 36 Argana, Will 36 Baalmann, Stephanie 7, 60 Baltuska, Michael 39 Barnes, Joseph 37 Berry, Lauren 31 Blanchat, Alison 60 Blaustein, Gail 37 Blonigen, Scott 6, 49 Bogner, Benjamin 1, 38 Boone, Margaret 60 Bosarge, Brittany 47 Bottom, Lindsey 6 Bowen, Julia 20, 62 Bowser, Madison 4 Branch, Matthew 39 Bretey, Michaela 3 Bridge, Matthew 60 Broaddus, Angela 55 Brose, Nicholas 40 Buchman, Nicole 60 Buhman-Wiggs, Adam 28, 30, 54 Burke, Adam 41 Burke, Brett 42 Buss, Andrew 78 Caes, Matthew 2 Caranna, Victoria 67 Carletti, Martha 36, 44 Caughron, Katharine 67 Ciskanik, Elizabeth 19 Clark, Rachel 43 Clum, Elizabeth 15 Colunga, Velia 50 Crocker, Trini 60 Cushing, Jacob 44 D’Arcangelis, Michael 67 Davy, Maximilian 78 Dea, Hannah 19 Deliyannis, Constantine 38 Determan, Kateri 60 DeVillier, Charles 15

57 Donahoe, Anne 31 Downing, Landon 60 Dreiling, Michaela 36 Dzurik, Thomas 28 Emrich, George 39 Farrell, Joseph 60 Fast, Christine 45 Fitzgerald, Fiona 30 Flax, Trace 60 Francois, Catherine 16 Fry, Lane 44 Garcia-Perez, Daniela 5 Giesen, William 39 Gilme, Matthieu 17 Gomez, Alejandro 22 Gothard, Madilyn 12 Gowasack, Anna 60 Guernsey, Ann Marie 43 Harris, David 18 Harris, Jackie 43 Hart, Matthew 46 Hayes, Daniel 58, 70 Heffernan, Gabriel 60 Heffernan, Marcela 60 Hein, Nickolas 56 Helgesen, Peter 24 Henry, Brian 32 Heron, Timothy 60 Hess, Brock 35 Hess, Rebecca 33, 60 Hilger, Christopher 51 Hinds, Michele 26 Hirl, Katharine 49 Hoback, Angela 2 Hoover, Conrad 6 Hoover, Lillian 32 Horton, Mark 3 Hrenchir, Joseph 68, 80 Huber, Anna 51 Hubka, Callum 60 Hulsizer, Heidi 74 Hutchens, Catherine 63, 75 Hutchens, Sara 75 Imgrund, Paul 57 Jacobs, Anna 43

58 Jarecki, Matthew 36 Johll, Matthew 21, 70 Johnson, Kayla 82 Keiss, William 18, 35 Kennebeck, Emily 60 King, Michael 81 Kistler, Catherine 5 Klein, Michael 21 Kok, MeiLi 60 Kopitke, Daniel 60 LaRosa, Joseph 78 Lademan, Elizabeth 82 Lager, Austin 60 Lanciotti, Maria 47 Landry, Adam 67 Lang, Katherine 9, 23, 64 Laughery, Anna 25 LeBeau, Gabriel 11 Lind, Annie 24 Linton, Jessica 4, 72 Loesel, Monica 71 Lombardo, Patricia 60 Loosbrock, Shelly 54 Love, Julie 8 Maderak, Ryan 1, 38 Madison, Rebecca 60 Malloy, Terrence 9, 12, 46 Marak, Joseph 5, 39 Martell, Kristina 67 Maslanka, Rita 82 Masucci, Victoria 26 McBride, Isaiah 17 McCabe, Margaret 2, 27 McCormick, Catherine 59 McDonough, Monica 63 McFarren, Matlin 82 McIntee, Kienan 70 Medara, Rachel 33 Meyer, Isaac 39 Middleton, Alexandria 31 Miller, Andrew 51 Miller, Michael 78 Mirarchi, Stephen 53 Modlin, Paul 56 Moley, Laura 50

59 Mortensen, Brent 45 Muggli, Alissa 49, 68 Muggli, Naomi 68 Mulholland, Edward 19, 60, 68 Murphy, Payton 11 Muskett, Maryclaire 82 Myjak, John Krishnan 78 Nacanaynay, Claire 2, 27 Neberman, Skyler 53 Newbolds, Scott 13, 42, 70 Nguyen, Michael 29 O’Malley, Patrick 21, 78 Ogle, Gabriel 27 Olimpio, Anthony 6 Page, Kevin 79 Palm, Christopher 80 Park, Bryan 22, 77 Patterson, Alyssa 7, 63 Pecha, Eva 5 Pecha, MaryBridget 47 Penwell, William 4, 5, 11, 40 Petersen, Ellen 8 Peterson, Nicholas 60 Phillips, Annie 15 Pierick, Rachel 27 Poarch, Kolbe 36 Pokorny, Maryrose 54 Posey, Amy 17 Pugh, Ayden 1, 79 Ramage, Matthew 25, 53 Ramsey, Matthew 31, 75 Raymond, William 15, 61, 82 Rea, Catherine 55 Reising, Gregory 67 Rich, Katherine 47 Richard, Matthew 14 Rioux, Marie 73 Rodriguez, Angela 60 Romano, John 65 Ross, Katherine 60 Rudolph, Jenna 9, 23 Runge, Kelsey 33, 65 Rziha, John 7 Salemi, Michael 66 Salter, Sarah 10

60 Salzmann, Andrew 20, 29, 53 Sattler, Noah 34 Scheetz, Kolbe 39, 66 Scheller, Karina 39 Schramp, Mark 3 Schreffler, Anna 40 Schuck, Kelly 67 Schuck, Tess 60 Schuetz, Elizabeth 9, 23 Schutte, Benjamin 18, 69 Settich, John 76 Severson, Jude 44 Shaver, Rachel 71 Shcherbatyuk, Georgiy 73, 80 Short, Kasandra 74 Smaron, Natalie 66 Smith, Dalton 78 Smith, Stephen 81 Sonnek, Benjamin 2 Spencer, Steve 41, 58 Starrs, Sarah 28 Stedwill, JohnPaul 11 Stella, Madeline 77 Stotzer, Grace 10 Strand, Brandi 12 Strandquist, Nathaniel 73, 80 Suhr, Benjamin 13 Sullivan, Joshua 21 Swoboda, Matthew 52, 67 Tapper, Sarah 15 tenBroek, Nicolaas 51 Torres, David 50 Traffas, Susan 20, 57, 64, 69, 72 Tran, Justin 51 Valdez, Skyler 78 Ventry, Camrie 61 Voss, Hannah 20, 62 Wagner, Casey 47 Wagner, Evelyn 81 Wahl, Douglas 60 Wallace, Jay 27 Ward, Anna 31 Waters, John 66 Watry, Kayla 30 Wessel, Paul 70

61 West, Eric 69 White, Sarah 30 Wiklund, Melody 33 Wilkerson, Rosalie 79 Wilson, Jazzmin 76 Wilson, Kent 14 Winder, Virginia 23 Windsor, Austin 14 Wittig, Catherine 28 Wolf, Joshua 10, 33, 52, 67 Wolf, Sydney 43 Wostenberg, John 79 Wurtz, Joseph 35 Young, James 16, 34 Young, Sarah 20, 59

62 Discovery Scholar Medal

Unveiling the new Benedictine College Discovery Scholar medal …

Following the 2017 Discovery Day presentation of the project, “Redesigning the Discovery Medal” by students Elizabeth Helfenberger, Mayra Ortiz, Claire Schroettner, and Miriam Walski, led by Madeline Stella, the Discovery Program Committee commissioned Stella to continue developing designs for a new medal. Using a design by Walski for the front of the medal, Stella then worked on a new design and sculpture of a raven for the reverse. Stella then combined the various sculptures and pieces into a single master model, which has been molded and used to create the new medal here on the Benedictine College campus. The new medal will be cast in pewter. The front of the medal combines images of a set of books and a tree with a landscape symbolizing both the academic and experiential nature of scholarship in the Discovery Program. The books are titled “Community,” “Faith,” and “Scholarship” in Greek. The rear of the medal features a soaring raven with the Latin word “Obsculta,” the first word of theRule of St. Benedict, through which Benedict compels us to Listen to God with the ear of our hearts, that is, to seek to discover the Lord in everything. The words “Benedictine College Discovery Scholar” are inscribed around the rim of the medal. The class of 2018 will be the first class of Discovery Scholars to wear the new medal upon their graduation from Benedictine.

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