WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., April 24, 2023 — West Liberty University’s Honors College students presented their senior research projects to campus recently.

The annual spring event showcases the work of these dedicated scholars and recognizes their achievements and creativity.

“These students have devoted themselves to the Honors Research Project in addition to the regular demands of advanced course work, for which they deserve high praise. Each project reflects at lease a full semester of focused work,” explained Dr. Shannon Halicki, dean of the Honors College and associate professor of languages and linguistics.  

Faculty, staff and students were invited to attend the presentation held in the Boyle Conference Center on April 20. Students presented both papers, posters and audio-visual displays of their research.

Paper presentations, students, faculty advisors and titles of research include:

• AUSTIN PYLES
  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ryan Koenig
  Going the Distance, Going for Speed: How the Tempo of Music Affects 1600m Running Performance
• JESSICA DOBBIN
  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Steve Criniti
  The Psychological Effects of Literary Canon: A Lack of Representation and the Presence of Stereotypical Depictions
• MADISON CAVICCHIA
  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Shannon Halicki
  Language and Authenticity in the Film Remakes Lady and the Tramp and A Wrinkle in Time
• AYLA HOLMES
  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Carol Zombotti
  Guide for Caregivers on Dialogic Reading to Improve your Toddler’s Expressive Language

Poster presentations, students, faculty advisors and titles of research include: 

• MAKAYLA BLAIR
  Faculty Advisor: Ingrid Loy
  Global Marketing Strategies to Overcome Cultural Barriers
• KIRSTEN BOGUNOVICH
  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Holly Racine
  Rhabdomyocarcoma: The Childhood Cancer We Don’t Talk About
• LOYD BUTCHER
  Faculty Advisor: Jeremiah Dann
  Life History of an Invasive Genera of Earthworm, Amynthas
• ELAINA HERBACK
  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Chelsea Robertson
  Perceived Similarities Between Cats and Their Primary Caregivers
• LINDSEY MORAIS
  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Holly Racine
  Differential Morphometric Analysis of the Anterior Fontanelle in an Embryonic Avian Model of Induced-Thyrotoxicosis

Begun in 2012, WLU’s Honors College is offered to qualifying undergraduates as a program of distinction for high-achieving students. Through a combination of academic and experiential opportunities, it promotes creativity, academic rigor and intellectual exchange. The Honors College offers an enriched college experience in terms of both academic pursuits and social experiences.

These students participate in study abroad, internships and research, with opportunities for leadership roles and service.

Students achieve Honors College distinction at the end of their undergraduate career if they have completed the requisite number of Honors credit hours, through courses and seminars, and if they have completed a senior research project. For more information, please visit westliberty.edu/honors-college.