capstone - mary baldwin university · abstract: deidre’s capstone presentation is the result of...

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I n the early days of Mary Baldwin Seminary, a Capstone Festival of sorts existed. “All final examinations were held in public and members of the board of trustees and the townspeo- ple attended to view students parse sentences, do intricate math problems, and recite soliloquies,” writes Professor Emerita of History Patricia H. Menk in her book To Live in Time; The Sesquicentennial History of Mary Baldwin College 1842–1992. By the late 1800s, the practice of public recita- tions had disappeared. In 2006, Mary Baldwin College inaugurated a new Capstone Festival. At each year’s festival, a select group of stu- dents, nominated by faculty, present their senior, honors, and special projects to the MBC community and the general public. The high quality and breadth of research, scholarship, and creative activities on display is a testament to the legacy of those earlier years and a celebration of our future. The festival is sponsored by the Advisory Board of Visitors, the Office of Sponsored Programs and Undergraduate Research, and the Committee on Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity. C APST O NE FESTIVAL

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Page 1: CAPSTONE - Mary Baldwin University · Abstract: Deidre’s Capstone presentation is the result of her senior project in studio art and her interdisciplinary honors thesis. Using oral

In the early days of Mary Baldwin Seminary, aCapstone Festival of sorts existed.

“All final examinations were held in public andmembers of the board of trustees and the townspeo-ple attended to view students parse sentences, dointricate math problems, and recite soliloquies,”writes Professor Emerita of History Patricia H.Menk in her book To Live in Time; TheSesquicentennial History of Mary Baldwin College1842–1992.

By the late 1800s, the practice of public recita-tions had disappeared. In 2006, Mary BaldwinCollege inaugurated a new Capstone Festival.

At each year’s festival, a select group of stu-dents, nominated by faculty, present their senior,honors, and special projects to the MBC communityand the general public. The high quality and breadthof research, scholarship, and creative activities ondisplay is a testament to the legacy of those earlieryears and a celebration of our future.

The festival is sponsored by the Advisory Boardof Visitors, the Office of Sponsored Programs andUndergraduate Research, and the Committee onResearch, Scholarship, and Creative Activity.

CAPSTONEF E S T I V A L

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BRITTANIE DANIELABAUGHMAN-ROVIRA

Project and Academic Advisor: Claire KentType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Presentation with Multi-Media

SupportTitle: An Analysis of MicrosoftAbstract: Brittanie’s analysis focuses on Microsoft’s sustainabil-

ity initiatives and practices in international markets withinthe context of its historical performance and enormousstrength in the industry. A look at the strengths, weakness-es, opportunities, and threats Microsoft faces completesthe project.

Biography: Brittanie Baughman-Rovira grew up in NewOrleans and is majoring in business administration.She is interested in sustainability and intends onattending graduate school following graduation.

LUCY ANN BILLITERProject and Academic Advisor: John L. Kibler, IIIType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: PosterTitle: Factors in Decision MakingAbstract: This study examines factors in decision making.

Under differing experimental conditions, participants in twogroups completed a survey pertaining to decision making.Data from these surveys were analyzed using a t-test. Asignificant difference between the two groups is hypothe-sized, and results so far are inconclusive.

Biography: Lucy Ann Billiter is a senior majoring in psychology,with an emphasis in mental health work, and minoring inbusiness administration. Born in Massachusetts, Lucy grewup in Maryland and will return to Towson University in thefall to begin work on her MA in clinical psychology.

ALICIA BORTONEProject Advisor: Claire KentAcademic Advisor: Janet EwingType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Presentation with Multi-Media

SupportTitle: OlayAbstract: Alicia’s project provides an in-depth analysis

of the Olay Company, including its finances, market-ing, management, social responsibility, environmen-tal responsibility, and information regarding theindustry in which it competes. A SWOT analysis toidentify the company’s strengths, weaknesses,opportunities, and threats and recommendations forthe company completes the study.

Biography: Alicia Bortone is a marketing communica-tion major with minors in leadership and sociology.Her hometown is Waldorf, Maryland. Alicia servedas an Honor Council representative (2007-08); aRelay for Life participant (2006-2009); co-chair for thePhysical Plant (2007-2009); and Vice President of theStudent Government Association and President ofthe Senate (2008-2009). She is currently employedin the Student Life Office under the supervision ofLisa Wells.

ELIZABETH DATTILIOProject and Academic Advisor: Alice AraujoType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Delivered PaperTitle: “I’m So Sorry:” A Thematic Analysis of Bereavement

Support CommunicationAbstract: Elizabeth’s study examines the ways in which people

comfort or provide social support to bereaved individuals.Much of the literature currently published in this area focus-es only on bereaved individuals and their experiences withloss, comforting messages, and coping strategies. In orderto gain insight regarding the comforter’s perspective,Elizabeth conducted a thematic analysis of several in-depthinterviews and a focus group. She examined participants’actual experiences with comforting acts toward thebereaved in an attempt to provide a deeper understandingof social support techniques and tendencies in the area ofbereavement and grief.

Biography: Elizabeth Dattilio is a communication majorfrom Staunton, Virginia, with a double minor in stu-dio art and marketing communication. She has beenaccepted to Virginia Commonwealth University’sgraduate school. She will be attending in the fall tobegin her master’s in social work with the goal tobecome a licensed clinical social worker. Elizabeth’sstudy is dedicated to her father, Michael Dattilio,who passed away in May, 2008.

AUBREY ANGELIQUE DECHEUBELL

Project Advisor: Nancy RossAcademic Advisor: Paul Ryan Type of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Visual or Audio-Visual CreationTitle: Crafting ContentAbstract: Aubrey’s works record her desire to under-

stand contemporary craft theory. Through her proj-ect, she crafted two distinct series as responses toformal criticism, each representing unique perspec-tives on the role of ceramics within contemporaryart. The series falls ambiguously between classifica-tion as art or craft. Through a careful manipulation ofform and function, Aubrey’s work challenges viewersto consider at what point objects transition fromcraft items to art objects.

Project Advisor: Marlena HobsonType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Presentation with Multi-Media

SupportTitle: Abstract Expressionist Ceramics: A Catalyst for a

New Dialog within Ceramic ArtAbstract: Ceramics has developed rapidly over the past

hundred years. Beginning with traditional folk potteryat the turn of the century and arriving at conceptualinstallation works as early as the 1970s, ceramicsshifted radically from craft-based items to fine artobjects. This senior thesis identifies the significanceof Abstract Expressionist ceramics as a pivotalmoment within the development of twentieth-centu-ry ceramic art. The works represented within this

FESTIVAL PARTICIPANTS

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movement demonstrate a shift in the understandingand creation of ceramics by distancing form fromfunction, invariably establishing a new conceptualdialog within ceramic art.

Biography: Aubrey Angelique de Cheubell is an art his-tory and studio art (ceramics) major from Lancaster,Pennsylvania. She is also a proud member of MaryBaldwin’s student government, serving as a repre-sentative on the Judicial Board from 2007 to 2009 inaddition to taking an active role in Student Senate.Aubrey plans to develop her passion for art at thegraduate level, pursuing a master of fine arts degreein ceramics, with the ultimate goal of opening herown ceramic studio and gallery.

LAURA ASHLEY DEAN Project Advisor: Daniel MétrauxAcademic Advisor: Gordon Bowen Type of Project: Senior Project Presentation Category: Presentation with Multi-Media

SupportTitle: North African Immigration and its Political and Social

Effects on FranceAbstract: The independence of Algeria and a wide-spread

famine in North Africa in the 1960s caused an influx ofimmigration into France from North Africa in general andAlgeria in particular. In recent years, the bifurcation of theNorth African Muslim minority and the French majority andthe shortcomings of French assimilation techniques havebecome apparent. Levels of urban violence are dramaticallyrising, pubic education is in decline in terms of both learn-ing and safety, reliance on social welfare is at an all-timehigh, and the government is doing little to address theissues out of fear of upsetting the Muslim immigrant popu-lation. This paper discusses the issues France is currentlyfacing and gives ideas for possible ways of defusing a dan-gerous situation.

Biography: Laura Dean is a double major in political scienceand international relations with minors in leadership andAsian studies. During her four years in the Virginia Women’sInstitute for Leadership, she obtained the rank of captain,commanded a platoon, and oversaw the Class System asClass Congress Chair. Laura grew up in a small town out-side of Charlotte, North Carolina called Mint Hill. After grad-uation she intends to return to the Charlotte area andattend law school at the Charlotte School of Law (Go LegalBeagles!).

ELIZABETH GIFFORDProject Advisor: Paul DeebleAcademic Advisor: Lundy PentzType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: PosterTitle: Stabilization of Lipase in ChitosanAbstract: Lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats in

the body, is heat-sensitive and loses activity oversixty-five degrees Celsius. This project exploresthe possibility of stabilizing a lipase in the polymerchitosan, which is derived from the shells of crus-taceans. The success of this project holds implica-tions for industry, where many enzymes are bene-ficial to processes that must be performed in high-heat environments.

Biography: Elizabeth Gifford is a biology major with aminor in political science. She was raised inBloomfield Hills, Michigan (near Detroit). Her fami-ly recently moved to St. Louis, where she has oneadorable black cat. Next year, she plans to move toAtlanta to attend Georgia State University, whereshe hopes to receive her PhD in cellular andmolecular biology.

LINDSEY GWALTNEY Project and Academic Advisor: Paul RyanType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Visual or Audio-Visual CreationTitle: EggshellsAbstract: Lindsey’s paintings explore the complex

nature of social interaction and the fragile andoften hesitant nature of relationships. This fragilityis represented in the delicate, meticulous applica-tion of thin washes of oil paint. This series takesordinary, forgettable photographs and transformsthem into relatively large oil paintings with distinc-tive moods, emotions, and depth. The mood issubdued — cautious with occasional moments ofconfidence.

Biography: Lindsey Gwaltney is a native of BatonRouge, Louisiana. She is a studio art major withemphases in painting and drawing in addition to aminor in political science. After graduation sheplans to attend Louisiana State University to studyinterior design and continue creating art.

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SKYE E. HARTMANProject Advisors: Kenneth Keller and Mary Hill ColeAcademic Advisor: Mary Hill ColeType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: PosterTitle: HA-NEH-AL-ENJI: CLA-GI-AIH NE-AHS-JAH GLOE-IH AH-

JAH GAH NA-HASH-CHID AH-JAH TSE-GAH YEH-HESTSAH BE GLOE-IH BE-LA-SANA AH-LOSZ (Communication: Power behind War)

Abstract: In discussions of the Pacific front duringthe Second World War, the pivotal role of theNavajo code talkers is often forgotten. While thedefeat of the Japanese relied on good battleplans, skilled commanders, and dedicated sol-diers, it was the Navajos’ code that allowed opera-tions to flow smoothly and quickly, allowing all theother parts of the machine to work effortlesslytogether. The code talkers stormed ashore inevery Marine assault throughout the entire PacificWar from 1942-1945. With the use of their nativetongue, the code talkers created a weapon thatwas impenetrable to Japanese expertise, leadingto the ultimate defeat of Japanese forces in WorldWar II.

Biography: Skye Hartman’s hometown is Lynchburg,Virginia, and she is double majoring in physics and histo-ry with a minor in leadership. Skye is a cadet in theVirginia’s Women Institute for Leadership, where sheserves as the current Band Commander for theMBC/VWIL band.

DEIDRE A. HINERProject and Academic Advisor: Jim R. Sconyers, Jr.Type of Project: Senior Project and Honors ThesisPresentation Category: Visual or Audio-Visual CreationTitle: Voices of Small Town Business: Portraits of Monterey,

VirginiaAbstract: Deidre’s Capstone presentation is the result of her

senior project in studio art and her interdisciplinary honorsthesis. Using oral history techniques and photography,Deidre produced a book and supporting materials that cele-brate and preserve the history of four businesses inMonterey, Virginia. Her project includes fifteen interviewsfrom business owners, workers, and customers. Each inter-view was voice recorded and transcribed. Selected voicerecordings accompany a fifteen-minute video of Monterey.The book includes about 44 photos of the interviewees andthe general Monterey area. Deidre’s multi-media approachallows transitions in the businesses and community to beseen as well as heard.

Biography: Deidre A. Hiner is a studio art major with a doubleemphasis in graphic design and photography and a doubleminor in English and marketing communication. She is fromMonterey, Virginia, and has been inducted into the honorsocieties of Alpha Lambda Delta, Omicron Delta Kappa, andSigma Tau Delta. She is a recipient of the Eric MatthewBrown Award for Graphic Design and the Ulysse DeportesAward for Outstanding Achievement in Studio Art. Beforeattending graduate school, Deidre plans to pursue a job toexpand her portfolio.

SAMANTHA HUDSONProject Advisors: Kenneth Keller and Mary Hill ColeAcademic Advisor: Mary Hill ColeType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Delivered PaperTitle: The Gullah: A People’s Resistance to Cultural DominationAbstract: Samantha’s thesis focuses on factors, including a

serendipitous combination of geography, climate, and thepossession of the sickle-cell trait, that allowed the Gullahcommunity of the Sea Islands off the coast of SouthCarolina to resist cultural conquest by the European-domi-nated American society. Samantha used newspaper arti-cles, journals, editorials, photographs, advertisements, andinterviews to prove that the Gullah people resisted theoppressive aspects of the dominant society, creating a flour-ishing community with many of their African traditionsintact, which is still apparent today.

Biography: Samantha Hudson is a history major fromSavannah, Georgia, and a member of Phi AlphaTheta. She will be attending the School of the ArtInstitute of Chicago in the fall to pursue her master’sof science in historic preservation.

CATHERINE KAMMERProject Advisors: Kenneth Keller, Mary Hill Cole, Carey UsherAcademic Advisor: Mary Hill ColeType of Project: Senior Project and Honors ThesisPresentation Category: Delivered PaperTitle: Words for Weapons: The Success of the Nineteenth

Century Non-Violent Irish Independence MovementAbstract: Catherine’s Capstone presentation is based on her

senior thesis in history and her interdisciplinary honorsthesis. Her research examines the nineteenth-century Irish

Jillian Hartley, co-recipient ofTop Honors in the Poster Category,Capstone 2008 (“Peace in Their Time:The Peace Pledge Unionand British Pacifism inWorld War II”)

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Independence movement led by Daniel O’Connell, focus-ing on the unique way in which O’Connell and his follow-ers obtained Catholic Emancipation and their efforts torepeal the Act of Union in the same way. This movementwas different from other movements in Ireland because itfocused on using non-violent, diplomatic means in achiev-ing its goals. She uses a variety of sources ranging fromspeeches and letters of the time to essays of modern-dayhistorians.

Biography: Catherine Kammer was born and raised inVirginia Beach, Virginia. She has loved history all her lifeand came to Mary Baldwin College to pursue a major inhistory with a minor in secondary education. After gradua-tion, she plans to return home to pursue a career as asocial studies teacher and to attend graduate school toobtain her master’s in education. She would like to thankher family for all their love and support.

DENISE KINSINGER Project Advisor: Terry SoutheringtonAcademic Advisor: Katherine TurnerType of Project: Special ProjectPresentation Category: Presentation with Multi-Media

SupportTitle: Creating Opportunities for Civic Engagement in a Global

Context by Reading Chaucer AloudAbstract: As the 2008-09 Margaret Kable Russell

Scholar, Denise taught a week-long workshop onChaucer at three local high schools. She and her stu-dents interactively explored why reading Chauceraloud creates excellent opportunities for civicengagement in a global context.

Biography: Denise Kinsinger hails from Stuarts Draft,Virginia, and is an English major with minors in cre-ative writing and theatre. She will be pursuing anMA in medieval and Renaissance literary studies thisfall at Durham University in Durham, England, andlooks forward to eventually holding a PhD in English.

BROOKE ASHLEY LOHRProject Advisors: Steven Mosher and Peter CruiseAcademic Advisor: Steven MosherType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Presentation with Multi-Media

SupportTitle: Restless Leg Syndrome: The Direct-to-Consumer

Advertising of Mirapex and its Effects on the Prevalence ofthe Condition

Abstract: Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) has presented itself inthe media as a life-altering chronic neurological conditionthat is classified by a sense of urgency to move one’s legs,along with tingling and crawling sensations. In 2006, thepharmaceutical company Boehringer-Ingelheim began adver-tising prescription drug Mirapex to the American public forthe treatment of RLS. The purpose of this report is to exam-ine the direct-to-consumer advertising of Mirapex and lookfor possible associations between this practice and theprevalence of RLS. Ultimately, Brooke seeks to outline acourse of action to curb the negative effects of direct-to-consumer advertising within the healthcare system

Biography: Brooke Lohr is a health care administration majorfrom Harrisonburg, Virginia, who transferred to MaryBaldwin in 2007. Since coming to Mary Baldwin, Brooke hasbeen on the Honors List and a recipient of the Virginia

Health Services Scholarship. Upon graduating, she plans tomove to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to pursue a career inthe field of health care quality and patient safety.

PAMELA MENDOZAProject and Academic Advisor: Daniel MétrauxType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Presentation with Multi-Media

SupportTitle: When Did South Korea Get This Cool?: Korean

Pop Culture’s Influence on Japanese Opinions ofKorea

Abstract: The Korean pop culture wave in Japan brought onchanges in Japanese opinions of Korea. Korean popular cul-ture, in the form of music, television, and movies, works asa medium for cultural understanding between Japan andKorea. The pop culture image of Korean artists provides cul-tural insight into Korean values, customs, and beliefs thatthe Japanese never saw during colonial occupation (1910-1945). Korean television shows now fascinate Japanesepeople, creating an environment for cultural acceptance.Singers like BoA and actors like Bae Yong-jun moved intoJapanese media while maintaining a strong Korean image,further helping the cultural boom. Zainichi (Koreans living inJapan) also feel the benefits of the Korean wave. Havingsuffered horrible discrimination during World War II, currentsupport from friends and colleagues due to the wave isinvaluable. In this fashion, the Japanese have come to re-evaluate prior misconceptions of the Korean people, and itis this re-evaluation that can be the basis for improved rela-tions between Japan and Korea.

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Biography: Pamela Mendoza is an Asian studies major fromChesterfield, Virginia. Having spent time at DoshishaWomen’s College, she plans to move to Japan and work asan English teacher after graduation. She would later like toattend graduate school abroad in business administration ormusic. Her goal is to work as a business representative inthe music business.

MARY ELIZABETH SCHWAB Project Advisor: Daniel MétrauxAcademic Advisor: Gordon BowenType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: PosterTitle: Skepticism within the European Union about Monetary

and Foreign PoliciesAbstract: Is the European Union a better political system for

Europe? Europeans have displayed skepticism about thefairly new centralized political system provided by theEuropean Union. Mary Elizabeth’s project identifies argu-ments that reinforce European skepticism about the EU’seffects on monetary policies, foreign policies, and nationalsovereignty.

Biography: Mary Elizabeth Schwab was born and raised inDallas, Texas. Her major is political science with an empha-sis in international relations. Looking toward the future,Mary Elizabeth hopes to obtain a job in international trade orlaw, working with European Union bureaucrats and U. S.diplomats. The support from her family is the foundationand drive for her to excel in life and become someone whopositively impacts the people around her.

CHELSEA E. SMITHProject Advisor: Daniel MétrauxAcademic Advisor: Gordon BowenType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Presentation with Multi-Media

SupportTitle: A Time for Change: The Transformational Roles of Modern

U.S. Foreign Assistance and the Challenges Faced inReform

Abstract: The United States’ foreign aid infrastructure hasshown signs of a becoming a weakened and weatheredsystem, no longer contributing the most productive, respon-sible, and cost-effective remedies into our neighboringregions. The haphazard organization of overlapping aidbureaucracies stratifies resources that could be used muchmore efficiently if united within one cabinet department.Chelsea’s project uses two case studies, AFRICOM andSudan’s cash crops, to analyze current weaknesses and pro-pose that the main objectives of the humanitarian infrastruc-ture — to better political, economical, and social conditions— can again be obtained with reform of the system.Overall, the audience will gain a greater understanding ofhow a weak aid infrastructure can affect the overall effec-tiveness of the United States to responsibly implement pro-grams that ultimately represent influence and power overunderdeveloped countries.

Biography: Chelsea Smith is a political science majorfrom Tampa, Florida. Since giving to private aidorganizations will continue to grow as publicresources become increasingly strained, Chelseahopes to one day develop her own humanitarian aidfoundation. Her foundation would practice socialresponsibility by teaching the impoverished methodsto enter or create viable markets rather than simplysustaining the individuals with rationed aid. She is agreat fan of the work Greg Carr has done to developtourism markets in an area of Mozambique that pre-viously had no access to such markets because of atragic civil war.

CASBY STAINBACK Project Advisors: Laura van Assendelft and Carey UsherAcademic Advisor: Carey UsherType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Delivered PaperTitle: A Political Perspective on Hunting with Hounds in VirginiaAbstract: This case study of the Virginia policy on hunting with

hounds has a significance that is applicable beyond thestate of Virginia alone. The study shows the tensionbetween state and local powers. The study of local controlof hunting policy in Virginia shows the trend toward adminis-trative decentralization in America. In a modernized societythat is moving toward globalization, administrative decentral-ization is becoming more and more important. The study ofthis policy illustrates that importance.

Biography: Casby Stainback is a sociology and politicalscience double major with a religion minor. She is aGlobal Honors Scholar and served as the 2008-2009Student Government Association President. She isoriginally from Mechanicsville, Virginia, and plans toattend Regent University School of Law in the fall.

Mallory Showalter, Top Honors in theDelivered PapersCategory, Capstone 2008(“Lobbying in StatePolitics: A Case Study ofthe GARDASIL Vaccine”)

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ROBYN STEGMANProject Advisor: Daniel MétrauxAcademic Advisor: Gordon BowenType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Delivered PaperTitle: For the Dalai Lama’s Consideration: Civic

Engagement and the Tibetan Peace MovementAbstract: Many revolutions begin with the people at

ground level working as individuals or through civicorganizations. However, the Dalai Lama’s “middleway approach” relies on diplomacy and internationalsupport and is centered on government leadersagreeing with other government leaders. Theprotests and other movements in defiance of thispath usually rely on the power of the people. Theyare led by citizens and rely on public support. Inshort, the protests in conflict with the “middle wayapproach” are bottom-up power while the TibetanGovernment in Exile approach remains a top-downstyle of diplomacy.

Biography: Robyn Stegman is originally from Lansing,Michigan. She is an international relations major witha peace-keeping and conflict resolution minor. She isthe founding president of the Mary Baldwin GlobalInitiative, which empowers students to take actionby providing them with resources to build campusinitiatives.

CYTHA D. STOTTLEMYER Project and Academic Advisor: Laura van AssendelftType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Delivered PaperTitle: Making News and History: Race, Gender, and the Media

in the 2008 Presidential PrimaryAbstract: As the 2008 Presidential race unfolded, the

candidacies of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama pro-vided an unprecedented opportunity for a woman orAfrican-American to win a major party’s nominationfor President. The media’s coverage of the candi-dates, specifically examining coverage for the pres-ence of racial or gender bias, is the focus of thiscase study. Cytha conducted a content analysis ofarticles published in The Washington Post during theweek before and after the Iowa and Potomac primar-ies. Results indicate the presence of a subtle genderbias that affected the style of coverage given toClinton during the primaries and also contributed tothe agenda-setting function the media serves.

Biography: Cytha Stottlemyer is a political science major fromGettysburg, Pennsylvania. She has worked as assistant toand co-authored her first published paper with Dr. Laura vanAssendelft. Cytha was accepted to Teach for America lastNovember and will be teaching high school math in theMississippi Delta beginning in the fall of 2009.

MCKENZIE TAYLOR Project and Academic Advisor: Paul RyanType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Visual or Audio-Visual CreationTitle: Cocoa and Daisy Go to the Fair, a Children’s Book Written

and Drawn by McKenzie TaylorAbstract: Art and animals are McKenzie’s life’s passions. She

has combined her two loves in a children’s book that she

drew and wrote, entitled Cocoa and Daisy go to the Fair.McKenzie has loved the Virginia State Fair and has attendedit ever since she was a small child, so it was the perfect set-ting for her first book. Cocoa is based on her dog and Daisyis based on her sister’s dog. The materials she uses arePrismacolor colored pencils.

Biography: McKenzie Taylor is a studio art major with a dou-ble emphasis in drawing and painting. Her hometown isCharlottesville, Virgina, and her future plans are to writeand illustrate children’s books. McKenzie’s involvement inart and reading was supported by her parents from a veryearly age.

ABIGAIL HALEY TURNER Project and Academic Advisor: Karl ZacharyType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: PosterTitle: A Spectroscopic Study of Cucurbit[7]uril Host-Guest

Recognition PropertiesAbstract: Cucurbit[7]uril, the third largest of a family of gly-

coluril-based heterocyclic macromolecules, has importantapplications in sensors, nanotechnology, and specializeddrug delivery due to its excellent recognition capabilities. Inorder to fully exploit this capability, it is necessary to under-stand the structural and electronic features that promotegood binding with cucurbituril. This work examines theeffect of structural variations in bipyridine derivatives on theequilibrium constant K, determined using UV-Visible spec-trophotometry. Differences in K values for cucurbit[7]urilhost-guest complexation with Methyl Viologen, 2,2’-Bipyridine, 4,4’-Bipyridine, and 1,1’-Bis(2,4’-Dinitrophenyl)-4,4’-bipyridinium illustrate the importance of charge distribu-tion, ion-dipole, dipole-dipole, and hydrophobic interactions

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in driving host-guest complexation with cucurbit[7]uril.Biography: Abigail Turner is a chemistry major with a minor in

French. Her hometown is Scottsville, Virginia. In the fall, shewill be entering a PhD program in analytical chemistry eitherat the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, or theUniversity of Pittsburgh.

HANNAH VARGASON Project Advisor: Carrie DouglassAcademic Advisor: Amy McCormick DiduchType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Delivered PaperTitle: An Unlikely Exburb: The Meaning of Changing

Preferences in the Housing Market in Frederick County,Virginia

Abstract: In this paper, Hannah examines the cultural implica-tions surrounding homes constructed during the housingboom of 1997-2007 in Frederick County, Virginia. She showsthat during that time there was an increase in demand forsquare footage, total acreage, bedrooms, bathrooms, andliving areas. This change reflects alterations in local con-cepts of “appropriate” housing for the middle class, as wellas strong valuation of independence.

Project Advisor: Judy KleinAcademic Advisor: Amy McCormick DiduchType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Presentation with Multi-Media

SupportTitle: Helping People Help Themselves: Policy Options

that Promote a Higher Personal Saving RateAbstract: In 2007, the personal saving rate in the United

States was negative for the first time since theGreat Depression, and research shows that individu-

als are not saving enough to make large purchases— such as homes — or for retirement. To prevent asignificant portion of the population from experienc-ing a dramatic decrease in well-being in the foresee-able future, novel and viable policies based onbehavioral economic theory, such as the Save MoreTomorrow (SMT) Plan, must be adopted as defaultpolicies in the corporate arena.

Biography: Hannah Vargason is a senior Bailey Honors Scholardouble majoring in anthropology and economics. Thoughoriginally from Antietam, Maryland, she plans to continueher education in Virginia at the College of William and Maryand obtain a master’s in public policy. Her interests includeenvironmental issues and sustainable practices.

ALANNA WARNICK Project and Academic Advisor: Andreas AnastasiouType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: PosterTitle: Effects of Horses on Self-Esteem and Locus of ControlAbstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the

effects that regular interactions with horses can have onpeople. Research suggests that interactions with horsescan be therapeutic. Participants consisted of a controlgroup of non-riders from Mary Baldwin College and agroup of riders from nearby venues, including a group ofstudents on the equestrian team at Bridgewater College.Self-esteem and locus of control scores for riders andnon-riders were correlated. The self-esteem measure wasa modified version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale,and the locus of control measure used the GeneralizedExpectancies for Internal Versus External Control ofReinforcement scale designed by J.B. Rotter. Preliminaryresults show that differences in support of the experi-mental group were not significant.

Biography: Alanna Warnick is a psychology major from Afton,Virginia. Her future remains, as of yet, uncertain, thoughgraduate school is a likely destination. She hopes to use herMary Baldwin education as the foundation to a career whichwill support and bring positive change within society.

SARAH C. WISECUP Project Advisor: Daniel Stuhlsatz and Carey UsherAcademic Advisor: Daniel StuhlsatzType of Project: Senior ProjectPresentation Category: Delivered PaperTitle: Women at WarAbstract: The aim of this research was to determine whether

there is a relation between a woman’s service length in themilitary and her pursuit of women’s integration into combatoperations as framed by the liberal feminist movement. Inorder to conduct this study, a survey was created and dis-tributed to contracted female cadets from VMI and VWIL aswell as female officers from the Naval War College. Theresponses to the survey were analyzed for correlation thatwould support the hypothesis.

Biography: Sarah Wisecup was born in France and speaksFrench fluently. She has lived in three different countriesand moved ten times within the U.S., attending three differ-ent high schools. Sarah will graduate with a sociology majorand a minor in leadership. Upon graduation, Sarah will fol-low in her father’s military footsteps, commissioning as anArmy Second Lieutenant in the Military Police.

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Ashley Jones '08, Multi-MediaPresentation Category,Capstone 2008("The Impact of Pay-for-Performance on theQuality of Care inNursing Homes")

Page 9: CAPSTONE - Mary Baldwin University · Abstract: Deidre’s Capstone presentation is the result of her senior project in studio art and her interdisciplinary honors thesis. Using oral

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Participants in the2008 CapstoneFestival.

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Congratulations to all students participating in the

2009 CAPSTONE FESTIVALNomination to the Capstone Festival is in itself a high honor. To recognize

extraordinary achievement, top honors will also be given in each

presentation category (delivered papers; presentations with multi-media

support; posters; and visual/audio-visual creations). Panels of three

judges will evaluate the creativity, challenge, and execution of the

projects as well as the ability of the presenters to communicate the

content and significance of their work to a general audience. Top honors

awards are accompanied by a cash prize of $150.

Page 10: CAPSTONE - Mary Baldwin University · Abstract: Deidre’s Capstone presentation is the result of her senior project in studio art and her interdisciplinary honors thesis. Using oral

Although there may be other mitigating factors, the resultsindicate that there is not a statistically significant relation-ship between religiosity and morality.

Biography: Allison Moyer is a psychology major from CalvertCounty, Maryland. MBC has been a wonderful experiencefor her, and she plans to go on to medical school.

CYNTHIA JEANNETTERODRIGUEZ

Project and Academic Advisor: Laura van AssendelftType of Project: Senior ProjectTitle: Presidential Authority and the Characterization of

Detainees at Guantanamo as Enemy CombatantsAbstract: Cynthia’s project focuses on how the Department of

Defense characterizes detainees at Guantanamo Bay asenemy combatants. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled inBoumediene v. Bush, 2008, that enemy combatants havethe right to be heard in U.S. court systems. Some believethat this decision has taken away the President’s authorityin times of war by setting limits on how detainees will becharacterized and whether they are viewed as lawful orunlawful combatants in accordance with the GenevaConventions and international law.

Biography: Cynthia Rodriguez is a political science major fromMilpitas, California, with a double minor in leadership stud-ies and philosophy. She is an AFROTC-contracted cadet inthe Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership. Cynthia willbe commissioning in May as a Second Lieutenant and willserve as a Logistics and Readiness Officer. She will be sta-tioned at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina.

STERLING SHELLEY Project Advisors: Kenneth Keller and Mary Hill ColeAcademic Advisor: Mary Hill ColeType of Project: Senior ProjectTitle: Conquests for Equality: the Fight for Female SuffrageAbstract: Conquests for Equality is a formal research paper

that seeks to prove that the Women’s Social and PoliticalUnion used militant methods to demand the vote forwomen in Great Britain because they viewed the women’smovement in terms of war and conquest. Through the inter-pretation of autobiographies, photographs, letters, diaries,newspaper articles, and other primary sources, Sterlinguncovers the motives behind the group’s aggressiveactions. Their fight for the vote led to the enfranchisementof women in Great Britain, influenced the suffrage move-ment in the United States, and left a lasting impression onthe worldview of women.

Biography: Sterling Shelley is a history major and educationminor from Daytona Beach, Florida. She is a Global HonorsScholar who will be graduating with distinction in May 2009.After graduation, she plans to attend law school at GeorgeMason and pursue a career in international business.

MAY TERM ABROAD CAPSTONE NOMINEESThe following students were nominated for the Capstone Festival but are unable to participatebecause they are on study abroad programs during May Term. We include their information herein recognition of their achievement and commitment to international awareness.

DEVON NICOLE BURKEProject and Academic Advisor: Daniel MétrauxType of Project: Honors ThesisTitle: Between Love and Marriage: Personal Choice and

Romantic Love Within the Marriage Systems of India andJapan

Abstract: Throughout the world, the union of marriage occursunder varying and diverse circumstances, from the autono-my-based systems of the West to the arranged marriagesystems that prevail in many other locales. However, withthe pervasiveness of western culture worldwide, a shift isoccurring in parts of the non-Western developed and devel-oping world. This trend can be observed in the changingmarriage systems of Japan and India, along with the inte-gration of romantic love as a widespread ideology withinthose societies.

Biography: Devon Burke is an Asian studies major from Dover,New Hampshire. After graduation, she hopes to find a jobteaching English in Japan and plans to attend graduateschool after her travels abroad.

YURIE GUNJIProject Advisor and Academic Advisor: Judy KleinType of Project: Senior ProjectTitle: From the Test Tube to the Grave: Should the Japanese

Government Cover IVF Treatment as a Way to Address ItsAging Society?

Abstract: This project discusses the problem of an aging socie-ty and lower fertility rates in Japan. Using economic mod-els, Yurie analyzes whether subsidizing in vitro fertilizationtreatment would be beneficial in addressing the aging ofJapanese society. She also discusses other ideas toaddress the problem, such as encouraging immigration.

Biography: Yurie Gunji was born in 1986 and is from Tochigi,Japan. She started her MBC life in 2005 and graduated inJanuary 2009 with a double major in economics andwomen’s studies. Yurie returned to Japan and began her jobas a medical representative in April 2009.

ALLISON WALKER MOYERProject Advisor: John L. Kibler, IIIAcademic Advisor: Andreas AnastasiouType of Project: Senior ProjectTitle: The Relationship between Religiosity and MoralityAbstract: Philosophical arguments have advocated that religion

is necessary in society because it leads to more moralbehavior on the part of its adherents. Little research hasbeen conducted, however, to examine possible relation-ships between religiosity and moral behavior. The purposeof this study was to determine if there is a relationshipbetween a person’s level of religiosity and their level ofmoral behavior. To test this hypothesis, sixty-two collegestudents completed two questionnaires, one measuring reli-giosity and the other measuring a person’s moral behavior.