W E S T E R N C A R O L I N A U N I V E R S I T Y
WCU HONORS COLLEGE MAGAZINE 2016
WRITERS
It has been my incredible privilege this year to serve The Honors College as its Dean.
It was just about a year ago that I was introduced to Imagine magazine. In preparation
for my interview, I was reading everything I could find on the web about WCU and its
impressive Honors College, when I ran across the archived issues of Imagine. My first
impression might well be described as gobsmacked when I discovered that the magazine
was written by first-year Honors College students and designed by Honors College
students as well! Imagine brought me into the WCU family by introducing me to its
wonderful students and talented faculty. It seems nearly impossible that here, today, I am
reviewing the proofs and designs of the student staff of this year’s edition, as production
on the 2016 issue comes to an end.
Imagine magazine plays an important role in our Honors College. It serves (as it did for me!)
as a way to introduce newcomers to Western Carolina University and to our diverse
and productive Honors College–while also serving as an important vehicle within our
community for updates on student interests, achievements, and activities. With engaging
photos and stories that were born from the students’ vantage points, Imagine looks and
feels authentic–because it is authentic. You will hear the students’ voices in the writing
and will understand their unique perspectives as you follow their stories. The students
are advised and mentored by Assistant Professor Jeremy Jones (Department of English)
and Rubae Schoen, Western’s Director of Brand Experience (University Marketing),
two people that I have been honored to get to know and work with this year.
Imagine magazine is just one of a myriad of ways in which The Honors College engages
students in academic pursuits and provides opportunities for students to take their
learning beyond the boundaries of the regular classroom. Meeting the criteria of the
National Collegiate Honors Council for a “fully developed honors college,” our Honors
College is characterized by best practices and is centered on student engagement. I invite
you, if Imagine is your first introduction to The Honors College at Western Carolina, to
get to know us better through the news on our website (honors.wcu.edu) or a visit to
our beautiful campus in Cullowhee. Or, if you are an alumnus or friend of The Honors
College and Imagine is your portal into today’s program, I encourage you to renew your
relationship and be in touch. We would love to have a chance to share news with you
about some of our exciting, gobsmacking programming including our new Summer
Undergraduate Research Program, study abroad opportunities, Honors Board activities,
our Spring Break Trip to New York City, student scholarship initiatives, and so much more.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Jill Nelson Granger Dean, The Honors College
April 11, 2016 GOBSMACKED
& DESIGNERS
WRITING STAFF (LEFT)
L-R: Kristin Morris, Dr. Jill Granger (Dean of Honors
College), Michelle Corn, Wesley Collins, Sandra
Anne Kernodle, Rebecca Chisholm, Haylee Wilkie,
Rashanelle Sumerall, Abigail Powell, Daniel Grither,
Lindsay Burleson, Kalynn Cunha, Melanie Vick, Bailey
Cave, Cheyanne Helms, Madison Freeman, Makayla
Profitt, Justin Earp, Nicole Taylor, Professor Jeremy
Jones (Imagine advisor)
DESIGN STAFF (RIGHT)
L-R: Savannah Camper, Will Guthrie, Todd Charles,
Rubae Schoen (Mentor)
THE HONORS COLLEGE HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2015-2016
HONORS COLLEGE
DEAN’S CIRCLE,
$10,000+
Mrs. Margaret P. Agee*
Dr. David O. and Susan B. Belcher
Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Benge*
Mr. and Mrs. W. Jack Brinson
Mr. Wesley Randall Elingburg*
Amb. Jeanette W. Hyde*
Mr. and Mrs. Robert V. May
Dr. and Mrs. F. Patrick McGuire*
Rebecca H. and Michael A. Schlosser*
Dr. Mark and Katherine Whitehead, and
The Whitehead Family Foundation
HONORS COLLEGE
MEDALLION CIRCLE
$5,000-$9,999
Paul S. and Vicky Faris
H. Ray and Diane McPhail
HONORS COLLEGE SCHOLAR
$2,500-$4,999
Marian M. Jackson Charitable Foundation
Fred A. Moss Charity Trust
Teresa H. Williams
Fred A. Moss Charitable Trust
HONORS COLLEGE TRAVELER
$1,000-$2,499
Ronald G. Johnson, Jr
HONORS COLLEGE
PATHFINDER
$100-$1,000
Ashville-Buncombe Technical
Community College
Coward, Hicks and Siler, PA - Franklin
Robert M. and Jill Nelson Granger
Dr. Carole S. Light
NC Association of
Institutional Research
Mr. and Mrs. William F. McMillan
Dr. E.J. and Nancy Tarbox
Mr. Robert Wayne Thomas
HONORS COLLEGE
PLEDGE RIDER
$25-$99
Ms. Sadie H. Barner
Ms. Bethel J. Bartlett
Mr. Briton M. Bennett
Ms. Hannah G. Clarke
Mr. Bradley Lucore
Ms. Amanda J. McQueen
Ms. Rebecca L. Sargent
Ms. Rebecca C. Sherrill
Ms. Amanda G. Smith
Mr. Nathan White
HONORS COLLEGE
SUSTAINING MEMBERS
Gifts in Kind
Jim Orr, Uppercut Promotion, Duluth GA
* Established a NEW Endowed
Scholarship Fund this year.
06finding the balance 08student run 09covering a tragedy
10can you dig it? 12 teaching togetherness 13journey to peru
14you me and up 15behind the pride 16teaching the world 18
around the world in one semester 20lets dance! 22 a day in our
paws 24sponge factal 25determination. discipline. compassion.
Nicole Taylor, Melanie Vick, Haylee Wilkie
Michelle Corn
Justin Earp
Melanie Vick
Rebecca Chisholm
Lindsay Burleson
Kristin Morris and Rashanelle Sumerall
Kalynn Cunha and Daniel Grither
Makayla Profitt
Abigail Powell, Kalynn Cunha, and Makayla Profitt
Bailey Cave
Cheyanne Helms
Madison Freeman
Nicole Taylor and Haylee Wilkie
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 4 5
By Rebecca Chisholm “Most young girls aren’t striving to become
engineers, scientists or mathematicians.
I want them to know that they can do it.”
She steadily transfers her weight with
ease, her stance balanced as she settles
into each movement. Hairspray and
costumes and anxiety surround her
on the black-framed stage. Nothing
has yet managed to recreate the
almost indescribable feeling that
day in Daytona, Florida when Rachel
Shinskie had only one desire: to dance.
Rachel’s whole life is about balance.
In addition to being an electrical
engineering major, she balances her
commitments as president of the
Women in Engineering club and as
a second year veteran on Western’s
Dance Team. Attending meetings, labs
and practices creates one strenuous
schedule, yet Rachel doesn’t fail to
apply herself to every task.
Rachel sits in the Belk building awaiting
the next Women in Engineering club
meeting. As president, she’s thinking
about potential next steps for the
program. The club currently focuses
on developing competitive females
in the field of engineering, as well
as incorporating more community
outreach programs. “Most young girls
aren’t striving to become engineers,
scientists or mathematicians,” Rachel
says. “They don’t realize that it’s a
realistic goal. I want them to know
that they can do it.” When Rachel is
not promoting science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM)
career choices to K-12 students or
stressing the importance of women’s
leadership, she spends her time in the
dance studio. Usually with pom-poms
in hand, her balancing act continues as
the Western Carolina University Dance
Team performs at all home football
and basketball games. In addition, the
team also spends around 10 hours a
week practicing. In the spring, they
have the privilege of traveling to the
SoCon tournament with the men’s and
women’s basketball teams. However,
in order to participate in these events,
the team must fundraise and find
sponsors that will help support them
during their season. Surprisingly, this
covers most of their costs. From car
washes to dance clinics, Rachel knows
that the team earns every dollar.
She balances on one foot in the test
position as a physical therapy student
records Rachel’s progress. After
completing a 9-week core workout
program, uniquely designed by the
Western Carolina physical therapy
department, she hopes to have
improved. Rachel and her fellow Dance
Team members volunteered their time
to participate in this research study
conducted by the physical therapy
department, testing core strength
and how it affects a dancer’s balance.
Throughout the year, Rachel and other
members of the team participate in
various community outreach events.
For example, the team volunteers
for the Cullowhee Valley School Fall
Festival, where they get a chance to
interact with the children in the area,
as well as help out at the Valley of the
Lilies Half Marathon in the spring.
Rachel also dedicates her time to one
of the most daunting, but rewarding
tasks as a member of the Dance
Team: preparing for their national
dance competition. The National
Dance Alliance holds its annual
dance competition in Daytona,
Florida, which Western’s dance team
has been attending for the past four
years. “Competing at nationals is like
nothing I’ve ever experienced before,”
Rachel says. “We spend six months
preparing for this one time chance
to compete against tons of other
universities.” The dance team perfects
their choreography until the date of
the competition, when they will show
the judges what they have to offer.
Once Rachel gets backstage, she feels
the perfect amount of pressure. She is
nervous because she knows they have
one chance to prove they deserve a
spot in the finals. But she is also calm
because regardless of the results she
knows her team will do their best.
“Yes, it is about the competition and
earning a rank,” Rachel says, “but to
me, it is more about the hard work.”
The flashing of the lights, the ringing
of boisterous music and the roar of the
audience are all she can remember from
that moment. Still, as she balances her
responsibilities back on campus, this
performance gives her chills every time
the memory resurfaces.
FINDING THE
BALANCE
THE HONORS COLLEGE 7 IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 6
As the sun rises over the Great Smoky
Mountains, the racers line up and prepare
to begin. The sound of a gunshot resonates
through the fog surrounding them as their
feet begin to pound the pavement. It looks
like your typical 5K road race, but it is so
much more.
Tucked away in Catamount Gap, Mountain
Heritage Day is celebrated. Thousands
of people come together on this day
to celebrate the unique traditions and
cultures of those who live around the
Western Carolina University campus. It
is a day filled with squash and corn, tribal
dances, folk music and Native American
crafts such as dreamcatchers and other
hand-carved items.
The catch? This race is completely
organized by students. The Mountain
Heritage Day 5K Road Race features
nearly eighty adults and is followed by a
children’s “fun run.” This race features
runners of every skill level, from
experienced marathon runners to those
who have never run long distance before.
Now in its seventh year, the race raises
money for the Sports Management
Association scholarship.
With the guidance of their professor,
Dr. Charlie Parrish, students enrolled
in the course Sport Event Management
and Sponsorship are in charge of
everything involved in planning the race,
from budgeting and advertising, to risk
STUDENT-RUN
“It looks like
your typical 5K
road race,
but it is so
much more.”
By Madison Freeman
management and overall logistics. The
intense planning is accomplished by
forming close relationships with people
on campus and in the community. Because
of this involvement in the community,
the class is considered a Service Learning
Course. While there is a lot of work
involved, the students are appreciative of
the real-world experiences gained in the
process of planning the event.
Next year, the student-run 5K Road Race
will take place on September 24 and
will take runners on a lap in and around
Western Carolina University’s campus.
Student-Run usk had fallen upon Charleston,
S.C. on June 17, 2015. As
Wednesday evening wound down,
an egregious act of hatred shook
the nation. Gunshots reverberated
through the hundred-year-old walls
of Emanuel AME Church as nine
were left dead. The nation stood still.
The media frenzied. Connor Kick
was there.
“Hello?” Connor Kick answered his
phone. On the other end was the
manager of WCBD news station,
where Connor served as an intern:
“Nine people have been shot at
Emanuel AME, seven of them are
already dead and two are in critical
condition, we want you to come in
and help.”
Years prior, during his senior year of
high school, Connor wouldn’t have
imagined himself reporting in the
midst of a tragedy. He was on the fast
track to a career in music education
due to his love for and involvement in
band. His college application process
was in full force when he tried out
for and received a position doing
morning announcements at his high
school. “I was on camera in front of
the whole school,” Connor recalls.
“And that’s when I first got the itch
to do broadcasting. I was like, ‘I
don’t think music is going to be my
thing.’” However, Connor managed
to join his two interests at Western.
As a communication major and a
member of the Pride of the Mountains
marching band, Connor served as the
band’ s chief of publicity and the host
of the behind-the-scenes web series
“Inside the Pride.”
Three years of college confirmed
to Connor that his life was headed
in the right direction, but there
was still another step he needed to
take. During the summer of 2015,
Connor embarked on a life-changing
journey as a broadcasting intern in
Charleston, S.C. An internship at
an NBC news station is clearly a
wonderful career development for
an aspiring broadcaster, but not
even Connor himself could have
predicted how much his internship
at WCBD News 2 would change his
life and shape his future. The day-to-day
duties began mundanely enough
with daily assignments to spend the
day with a certain reporter covering
one or several stories. Every now
and then, however, events occur that
throw routine and regulation out
the window.
Connor’ s heart raced as he began to
come to terms with the situation he
was in. His boss continued, “Connor,
do you want to help with the biggest
story you’ll probably cover in the next
twenty years?” A shocking surprise,
no doubt, but his willingness never
wavered: “Of course I had to say yes.”
The ensuing hours were a rush of
emotions. During a span of time
where he stayed awake for 46 hours
straight, Connor was bombarded with
a crash course in gun safety training,
grieving families, and – worst of all
– the deaths of the two remaining
victims. In a moment both solemn
and chaotic, the devastating news was
broken to the victims’ families with
Connor and the WCBD News team
watching anxiously. “That was my
first huge exposure to death,” Connor
says. “It hit me like a freight train.” For
the first time, Connor was feeling the
sights and sounds of true American
news media. The bittersweet taste left
him in an unusual position where he
gained knowledge, experience and
insight from a tragedy wracked in
hatred, violence and death. “It was
definitely an eye-opener on what
could be the rest of my life.”
In ten years, Connor hopes to work
for a top-50 TV market. “I would
not be where I am now without
my internship,” Connor says as a
smile swipes across his face. Behind
his warm smile is an inferno of
determination that is fueled by the
unlikely inspiration he found in a
world of tragedy.
By Justin Earp
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 8 9
can
you
dig
it?
Lauren Stogner, a sophomore with a quirky personality and
warm smile, majors in forensic anthropology at WCU. As part
of her studies, she has done an internship at her hometown’s
coroner’s office and is also currently working on an extensive
research project. We discussed the Forensic Anthropology
program, and what makes different. WCU is one of very
few schools in the country to offer forensic anthropology
as a major and is also home to the first new-generation
decomposition research facility, which opened in 2006.
Students at WCU have state of the art resources, which
enables them to do amazing things.
by michelle corn
Q: What are some misconceptions
that you had about forensic
anthropology when you came in?
A: Probably about how easy it is to do
a biological profile. I did my first last
year and it was anything but easy. On
TV, and even the shows based on real
cases, it feels like they took a look at a
bone one time and they know what it
is. That is not the case at all. I had no
idea how much a bone varies person
to person.
Q: What made you choose Western?
A: They had the decomposition facility
and one of the only undergraduate
programs for Forensic Anthropology,
so when I heard WCU had it I was like
“heck yeah.”
Q: What are some unique
experiences you’ve had
while at Western?
A: At the end of last year I did my first
recovery – I only found one phalange
but it was really interesting. Doing
research in the lab there’s no telling
what’s going to happen. I watched a
bone split open because it had dried
too fast.
Q: What is something you’ve done
at WCU you couldn’t other places?
A: Two other schools I looked at didn’t
have the decomposition facilities and
they didn’t have as many hands-on
experiences – they were bigger schools
so I would’ve had to wait until my
junior or senior year to do things like
actually handle skeletons, not just the
professionally cleaned and bleached
ones or fake ones, I mean. We have
donor skeletons. We can actually look
at variation.
Q: What did you do during
your internship?
A: I did all the things that the guy
who worked there didn’t want to
do: emptied specimens from the
OR, disposed of biohazard, got rid
of amputations and put them in
biohazard, cleaned out the fridge and
helped with external autopsies – which
was my favorite part of it – and I went
on a crime scene.
Q: Tell me about your
undergraduate research.
A: It is on what happens when you
freeze bones and the implications that
has. We have a lot of research on what
happens when you burn them but not
a lot on what happens when they’re
frozen. I have a hypothesis that they
crack, and in a certain way. If I can
demonstrate that, you could tell in
a forensic case if a bone was frozen
based on cracking. It’s a four-year
research project.
Q: What are different types of
careers you can have with a
degree in forensic anthropology?
A: You can teach, join different
organizations, identify victims of
genocide, put names on civil war vets
that still haven’t been identified and
excavate mass grave sites. You can
work the criminal aspect of homicide
cases. You can also work in a morgue.
Q: What is some advice that
you would give other forensic
anthropology majors?
A: You need to be in the lab a lot. Three
weeks before a test, I am in there every
single day especially for osteology –
it’s hard and there’s a lot to memorize.
Also, talk to the professors and get to
know them. They will help you, and
they will do anything to help you.
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 10 11
But, walking into the room, she couldn’t
peel her eyes from the woman lying on
the operating table. The doctor began to
open up the woman’s abdomen to begin
the caesarean section. Blood spread
across the floor from the gauze used to
dab the excess. Soon, the mess was worth
it when Sara saw that beautiful face of the
newborn. After the surgery, the doctor left
the baby alone on the table. Sara noticed
the baby’s blue pigment and quickly picked
it up. In that moment she knew what field
she wanted to work in as a physician’s
assistant: obstetrics.
This delivery was one of the highlights
that Sara Clark experienced during her
trip to Trujillo, Peru this past summer.
Sara decided this trip would be an amazing
way to earn her clinical hours after hearing
from one of her friends about a visit to Peru.
Every day was a unique, yet fascinating
journey. Her day would begin at 6 o’clock
so she could make it to the hospital by
8 to begin treating patients. Her tasks
included giving simple vaccinations,
teaching children how to wash their
hands properly, sharing the importance
of wearing shoes in the community and
By Lindsay Burleson
observing gall bladder surgeries (and
actually holding the organ), C-sections
and even the removal of a uterus. From
working in clinics, hospitals and in the
community, Sara realized how much she
was helping her patients.
The main concern in the community
where Sara worked was the contraction
of parasites.In order to prevent that, she
became a part of the “parasite project.” She
worked with mothers in the community
to help lower the risk of their families
contracting parasites. She helped to test
children for parasites and to teach mothers
how to purify water.
Sara, who is a chemistry and Spanish tutor
at the Writing and Learning Commons at
WCU, took this trip to help her prepare
for her future as a physician’s assistant. As
being able tospeak Spanish is a huge bonus
in the medical field, she was drawn to Peru,
where she could practice Spanish every.
More than gaining language skills, Sara’s
time working with the locals helped her
realize her desire to help people. Taking a
holistic approach and asking what is going
on in the patient’s life gave her a different
perspective for treatment. Now, as she
approaches graduation in May 2016, she
knows her Peruvian clinical journey has
prepared her for her future as a physician’s
assistant.
“Clothing protector? Check. Goggles? Check. Gloves? Check.
Sara was prepped and ready for the surgery to begin."
Journey to Peru
By Bailey Cave
Emily was originally in the Special Education program
before the switch to Inclusive Education and, at first,
was confused as to what it was and why she was changed
without knowing. Now she says, “I love the program. It
is everything I could’ve hoped for in a major.” Students
in the program start interning during their sophomore
year and get more hands-on teaching experience than
in a traditional program. “I just feel so prepared,” Emily
says about the prospect of moving in her own classroom
after graduation. “I’ve gotten so used to lesson planning
and teaching that I feel ready.”
The different learning styles taught within this program
are not implemented widely. Therefore, it is up to the
students within the program to spread the knowledge that
they have gained and begin to pass along this cutting-edge
teaching style to everyone else. “We are the front runners
trying to change education for the benefit of all students,”
Emily says, “And we are ready, thanks to the program.”
Close your eyes. You’re back in a kindergarten classroom,
surrounded by other students, but you, you are different.
All the students around you – the line leader in the front,
the guy with the highest reading level in the back – they
all get to stay in this class, but you’re pulled out. Watch
everyone’s eyes drift toward you as you rise to leave; you
clearly hear the whispers. You hate this part of every day.
Now open your eyes.
Today, education interns like Emily Flemming are working to
change this stigma that follows special education students.
Her kindergarten classroom at Cullowhee Valley School
accepts all students. The children help one another and
don’t miss a beat when Liam, who is autistic, or Ryan, who
has Down syndrome, act out. Right now, one of the students
is trying to assist Emily in getting their attention to pose
for a picture.
The children all know that Liam and Ryan have disabilities;
however, they don’t get upset when the two boys have
different assignments. “You know how you can grip your
pencil really tight?” Emily explains to a little girl asking why
she doesn’t get to paint. “Ryan can’t always grip it as well
as he can the bigger paintbrush.”
Western Carolina’s College of Education and Allied
Professions has created a new program where undergraduate
students learn to teach in a classroom where the needs of
all students can be met with a team of general and special
education teachers. The Inclusive Education Program
was created at Western in January of 2013 and this year’s
cohort of students is the largest yet. With this new major
that encompasses both elementary and special education
curriculum, the graduates will leave Western with a
degree that allows them to license in K-6 general and K-12
special education.
“
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 12 13
The hundreds of thundering feet move in
unison onto the field of Lucas Oil Stadium.
It was finally here. Bands of America
Grand Nationals—or the last day of the
2015 marching season. This performance
will be the last time this show will ever
be performed. For some members, this
will be the last time they ever march in
a show on a football field ever again. All
of the blood, sweat and tears that have
accumulated over the season have led to
this one moment. For the audience, it will
be a spectacular collegiate marching band
show that has never been seen before. But
for the members, it is a bittersweet ending
to a season that will never be forgotten.
“Marching band is unlike any other activity
because it involves everything,” says the
cymbal line section leader Seaon Carter.
“It’s physical, it’s mental, it’s artistic;
it’s just hard to find too many sports
that include all three of those things in
one exciting, ten minute activity.” Each
individual marcher has to execute each
set, each note and each visual perfectly
every single run. It’s the ultimate test of
musical multitasking.
But it takes time for each individual
marcher to achieve this level of excellence.
A lot of time. Over 450 people sacrificing
BEHIND
PRIDE
7 required hours of practice a week, aside
from practicing on their own. Giving up
class time, summer and fall breaks to
work with the band day in and day out.
It’s impossible to place a number on
the dedication the members devote to
the activity.
Members of the band spend much of their
time together during the fall semester.
Moving between practices and games
requires the members to interact with
their fellow band members and Western
students. Beka Harmon, a freshman
trumpet player, is a member of the brass
ensemble within the show. “I practiced like
every day that week, even before rehearsal,
which kills your lip,” she says.
This intense practicing is no doubt taxing,
but with it comes the growing sense of
family within the band. Each member is
a part of a section, and all freshmen are
assigned mentors that they can go to if
they are ever in need of something. “I
enjoy being a part of something bigger
than I am,”Beka says. This support of a
family setting pushes the members of the
band to pursue their best.
The show concept for the band’s 2015
season is “That’s What’s Up.” It focuses
on the band’s potential to soar high in
excellence and be the best in whatever
they do, capturing the determined spirit
and driving passion of the organization.
For some, the band represents a core piece
of Western Carolina. To others, it’s just
a group full of college students blasting
music on Saturday nights. But to the band
members, Pride of the Mountains holds
a much higher meaning. It represents
the undeniable passion for performing,
the relentless determination to achieve
excellence and, most of all, having a
lifelong family. The students marching
under those bright lights during halftime
aren’t just playing a bunch of notes from a
sheet of music. They’re playing with their
hearts and minds crescendoing with every
single run.
The roar of 450 students echoes through
the tunnel of Lucas Oil Stadium,
Indianapolis. Everyone looks around
with nervous anticipation. Jokes and
wishes of good luck fill the large tunnel
that the members have lined up in. Then,
the countdown begins. The color guard
sprints, setting up their flags and rifles;
other members briskly make their way to
their opening spots after warm-up. Only
seconds now.
THE
“Hey, Band, what time is it?” “SHOWTIME! HUT!”
The music begins. “Hey Band, what time is it?” “SHOWTIME! HUT!”
By Kalynn Cunha and Daniel Grither
It’s Wednesday evening. Purple, orange, and pink illuminate the
sky as the campus settles down for the night. But upstairs in the
Campus Recreation Center, people are gearing up for another
Recreational Therapy Night.
Recreational Therapy Night is only one small aspect of the
University Participant program. Since the program’s birth in 2007,
the UP has gifted 20 students with disabilities the opportunity
to attend college. The UP program aims to make everyone aware
that these students are just like every other student at WCU: they
go to class, live in dorms, play sports, go Greek, study abroad,
and attend graduation. And they play basketball.
At first, when I stand with Gretchen, a Rec Therapy Night
coordinator, on a Wednesday night and overlook the gym, I only
see a normal game of basketball. Soon, I realized that to the UP
students, this basketball game was a victory. They were finally
included in their community and accepted as normal people.
“I don’t want to say they’re inspirational because they are just
normal people,” Gretchen says, “but it’s great to have this
perspective of ‘I love to be here.’ ” At Rec Therapy Night, UP
students and rec therapy majors join together for an hour of
fun and stress relief. Volunteers introduce themselves through
icebreakers and games such as kickball, ultimate frisbee and
whiffle ball, laying the foundation for new and unique friendships.
But the night isn’t solely field experience for rec therapy majors;
it’s life experience for the UP students as well. Students take the
skills they learn and use them to do the things everyone says
they can’t do: get a job, live on their own, and have a normal
life. “I wasn’t nervous when I came here,” says Ali, a UP student.
“I was ready to get out of my parent’s house - for me to live
independently - because I want that time to live my life.”
Rec therapy and UP prove that people with disabilities are capable
of living on their own – as long as someone gives them the chance.
The UP program aims to give everybody the chance to go to
college and explore university life. As Gretchen says, “inclusion is
not just people with disabilities – it’s people who look different,
like different things, act different. It’s everybody.”
I don’t want to say
they’re inspirational
because they are just
normal people, but
it’s great to have
this perspective of
‘I love to be here.’
“
”
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 14 15
As one might imagine, a typical school
day in the United States varies greatly
from an average school day in other
parts of the world. In order to allow
some of Western Carolina University’s
prospective teachers to experience
education in a brand new way, Dr.
Russell Binkley traveled to Kenya with a
group of seven young women who were
eager to learn about the differences
between education systems.
The students were first exposed to a
private school located near Nairobi,
Kenya. In this school, the class sizes
were small and not entirely different
from schools here in the US, so
the students accompanying Dr.
Binkley didn’t experience much of
a culture shock when they worked
with the kids there.
However, the real shock came when
the seven students were taken to a
public school just outside of Nairobi.
The school stood just across the street
from the massive city dump that many
people scour to find their next meal
or an item to sell. Inside the school,
a large number of very poor students
spend nearly ten hours a day packed
into small classrooms trying their best
to learn despite the lack of educational
tools and the fact that most of these
children will not see a morsel of food or
a speck of water the entire time. Alice
Bovender, one of the WCU students
who participated in the trip, said that
“education is key.” The opportunity to
learn will, despite all of the hardship
and struggling, keep the students and
community members optimistic.
The experience opened the eyes and
touched the hearts of those who
participated. It was sobering. One
of the aspects that stood out to the
future teachers about the children in
Kenya was how they handled all of
the hardships that they were dealt.
“Everyone has a bad day,” Alice
Bovender said. “It’s how they handle
it that shows who they really are.”
Another WCU student, Victoria Blount,
said that, despite having to struggle
with things that most people couldn’t
imagine dealing with on a daily basis,
the children “were so happy and
resilient and hopeful.”
These education majors know that
the experience in Kenya has helped
push them into the next stages of
their careers, providing them with a
wider representation of the world and
what it has to offer. “I honestly think
that international travel is something
that everyone should add into their
curriculum,” Victoria Blount said.
“You learn so much more from actually
doing things out in the field than you
ever could in a classroom.”
LEFT: Alice Bovender with a group of students at
Ngong Township Primary school.
TOP RIGHT: Hannah Whitehead, Victoria Blount,
Amy Bennett, and Alice Bovender
BOTTOM LEFT: Victoria Blount enjoying time
with a group of local children.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Victoria Blout and Taylor Hunter
By Abigail Powell, Kalynn Cunha and Makayla Profitt pose for a photo with students.
teaching
the world
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 16 17
What was life like back at home?
More people, more noise, and everyone was always
in a hurry.
How does Western compare to
your previous university?
There are more things to do here. It’s not boring compared
to my previous university, which was just a small building
where you study, then you go home and have nothing to do.
Here you can go to the gym, go swimming, or go anywhere.
How do you hope to grow during your time here?
Improve my language skills and learn new things about
[American] culture.
What do you think of American food?
McDonalds here is better than France. The burgers are also
grosser than other countries – except McDonald’s, I like
their burgers.
List three words describing America.
Interesting, delightful and wonderful.
What’s the biggest difference between
your home county and the U.S.?
People are more friendly in America. Everyone says “hello,”
and says “sorry.” If you bump into a person and say “sorry”
in Russia they’ll look at you like you are insane.
21-year-old Alexey Rybakov was
born in Siberia but moved to
Moscow as a child. He spent
the two years studying in
France before coming to WCU
to study public relations.
What is your specific area of study here at WCU?
It’s English, but here I’m also taking history classes.
How much does America differ from China?
First, people speak a different language, so it makes it
harder for me to get around sometimes. Second, people
have different ways of thinking and different habits. Like a
different culture, basically. Third, the whole education system
is very very different from what I have in China. There, we have
the same classmates all the time. Here, I have different ones.
Do you like the university? The campus?
I like this place in general because it’s so beautiful. The trees
and mountains are just fantastic for me.
Was it hard to leave your home and come here?
Not really. I miss my family and friends, but I enjoy being
here. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so I should really
cherish it.
Have you had any experiences that were a culture
shock to you since you’ve been here? What were they?
Yeah. People here are very casual in class. [In China] you
wouldn’t see a student chewing gum or eating breakfast in
class. And you wouldn’t see them slouching.
With a passion for studying
abroad, a craving for new
experiences and a strong sense
of self, 21-year-old Feli Zhang
from Chongqing, China is in
her third year at WCU.
Feli zhang
Alexey Rybakov
As a Psychology major from
Stuttgart in Southern Germany,
22-year-old Svea Maria brings
with her a love of horses,
hiking, and the Kardashians.
svea maria
Why did you choose to come to America?
It seemed valuable to me; I’ve never been abroad for a long
period of time.
Why Western?
I wanted to go to a place where I could do outdoor sports and
see some of the landscape. I also hoped that people in the
South at a smaller university would be nicer. So far, people
are very nice and friendly.
Before coming here, what did you
think America would be like?
As far as landscape, it’s what I expected. But I was surprised
by the relationship between students and professors. In
Germany you see more of an authority distance, whereas
here students and professors are more equal.
What are your initial impressions, both
in and outside of the classroom?
If I were to stay longer, I would definitely get a car so I can
be more free. It’s difficult to get around without a vehicle.
Was is difficult for you to leave home?
Yes, it was a challenge emotionally to leave friends, family
and pets like my horse. But now that I am here, I don’t feel
the impact anymore.
How are you hoping to grow as a person
during your time at Western?
I’m hoping to get a new perspective on my life and to take
the perspective back to Germany. It’s important to spend
time in another country to help you gain new perspectives
and step outside your comfort zone.
By Kristin Morris and Rashanelle Sumerall
around the
world in
one semester
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 18 19
Dance Let 's
You walk through the doors into a large
dance room. Mirrors line the walls from
floor to ceiling and hardwood floors cover
every square inch. A group of people stand
talking and laughing, but one girl drifts out
of the group. She presses a few buttons on
the stereo, and classical music begins to play.
Within seconds everyone spreads out, grabs
a partner and begins to dance. Some move
slowly while others speed around the room
in an elegant manner. You concentrate on
watching their steps and then try yourself.
As you begin, someone grabs your hand and
pulls you to the middle of the room. Awkward
movements turn into smooth transitions, and
you spin around the room with ease.
This is the ballroom dance club. A club sport
created and run by students at Western
Carolina University. Jessica Flowers, president
of the club, held the club together when she
was only a new member. Along with Josh
Rickard, the club’s vice president, Jessica
took full responsibility in maintaining the
club and helping it flourish by recruiting
new members and working with professional
dancers. Members describe the leaders
of the ballroom dance club as quirky and
amazing. Jessica and Josh go to great lengths
to create an environment where everyone
can feel welcome.
Each year the ballroom dance club travels to
show off their moves and compete with other
universities. “Last year was the first time we
competed. It was a big deal for us,” Jessica recalls.
In preparation for the competition, she created
connections at UNC-Charlotte
in order to practice in a new
environment. Having started
from interest but lacking in
dancing knowledge, the
group was delighted to
work with a professional
instructor in Charlotte.
After learning proper moves
and etiquette, the club was
ready to compete. “We were
all really nervous,” Jessica says
smiling, “but when we realized
the objective was to have fun, we
relaxed and learned a lot.” The
Ballroom Dance club is currently
planning a trip with competitions
at both UNC-Charlotte and
NC State University.
When you leave the club you
feel invigorated, reminiscing
on what it was like to feel
the rush of warmth from
the bright laughter and the
sense of accomplishment
for nailing the first moves
you were taught. You know
one thing is for certain: you
will be looking forward to
the next meeting.
By Nicole Taylor and Haylee Wilkie
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 20 21
A DAY IN OUR PAWS
No Moe Waiting
The Space Race
The F-Word
By Nicole Taylor
By Melanie Vick
By Haylee Wilkie
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 22 23
Determination, Discipline,
compassion By Melanie Vick
Tattoos covering his thick, muscular
arms and legs, Elijah Ingraham
walks with shoulders squared into
the classroom. He speaks, his voice
echoing throughout the room, and
despite his intimidating stature,
he wears a broad, genuine smile.
Before him sits a group of disabled
students awaiting their self-defense
class. He is their teacher. As a veteran
of both the Army and the Navy,
Elijah seems to have done it all. So
what motivates a man to serve in two
branches of the military and then
come to WCU to pursue a degree in
philosophy and teach self-defense to
disabled students? For Elijah, the road
between philosophy and service is a
twisted one.
It begins with a long list of martial
arts: Judo, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu, among others. Learning these
skills helped Elijah when he joined
the Navy in 2000. Two years later,
he joined the Army as a paratrooper.
Typically, the Army and Navy have an
unspoken rivalry between members.
This didn’t stop Elijah from joining
both. He leapt out of planes and
enjoyed his job – the only problem
was his knee. He was forced to leave
on medical discharge due to (as cruel
fate would have it) an injury that was
exacerbated by the very martial arts
that were his passion.
After his years of military service,
Elijah found that he wanted to further
himself through education. Thus, this
complicated road led him to WCU. He
came in search of the opportunity to
earn his bachelor’s degree in religion.
He enjoys studying religion and
philosophy and likes to think deeper.
Ultimately, his goal is to complete his
degree within the next year.
One common factor in this complex
road trip that is his life is his love of
helping people. After coming to WCU,
he took a class with Dr. John Whitmire,
head of the philosophy and religion
department. This course was driven by
two questions: what is wrong with the
world and how do we fix it? “He didn’t
take the pre-approved route,” Dr.
Whitmire said about Elijah’s service
learning project. Instead of choosing
a task that was already created by
the professor, Elijah devised his own
elaborate plan: create a course with
the University Participant Program
designed to help mentally and
physically disabled students to protect
themselves through martial arts.
“There’s a sort of duty and obligation
to pass on to people the ability to feel
safe and confident,” Elijah says about
his course.
The twisted road of life can be a
complex one. Sometimes there are
obstacles in our way: fallen trees,
frayed power lines, car crashes. But
regardless of what Elijah has come
across, he keeps driving. He drives
through life with care and discretion
and a plan. Where the road leads him
after he graduates is a mystery best
left to the navigator.
3D0634
Dr. Sloan Despeaux and her freshman seminar class, Fractals:
Geometry of Nature, took on a massive project in fall 2015: to build
a Menger sponge fractal entirely from business cards. A Menger sponge
fractal is a 3-D model that, in theory, has zero volume, infinite surface
area and infinite amounts of infinitely small cubes that have been
hollowed out. Intriguing and confusing as it is, it wasn’t started out
of sheer boredom; it was part of a global project to build the world’s
largest Menger sponge fractal. That project was started by Matt
Parker, comedian/mathematician from London, and Laura Taalman,
professor of mathematics at James Madison University in Virginia.
The global goal of a 20-foot-tall level 4 fractal has been met, but that
hasn’t stopped Dr. Despeaux’s students. They have made their own
challenge. Their current goal? A 6-foot-tall, level 3 fractal made from
48,000 business cards, or 8,000 cubes. They have been storing the
fractals in the bottom floor of the Hunter Library under the stairs
during the building process, where they will stay until the students
finish construction. When they finally finish, they plan to burn the
entire fractal with the help of Chancellor Belcher.
SPONGE
FRACTAL By Makayla Profitt
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 24 THE HONORS COLLEGE 25
ALUMNI UPDATES
AARON BENTON | by Kalynn Cunha
Aaron Benton graduated in May 2015 with a B.F.A. in film & tele-vision
production, including a concentration of screenwriting
and production design. He is currently pursuing a second B.F.A.
at the Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham, with possible intentions
of gaining a master’s in screenwriting. In his free time, he enjoys
doing “anything creative or that feeds [his] creativity.” Aside from
drawing, designing and writing, Aaron likes to watch musicals and
has been very interested in Hamilton, a relatively new play that
came off Broadway in February, 2015.
If you could be any animal, what would you be? “Probably a dog.
Life would be so easy. I’d also want to still be able to hang out and
live with all my loved ones, and between a dog and a cat I would
always choose a dog.”
BAYLEIGH JANUSIK | by Rebecca Chisholm
Bayleigh Janusik graduated in May 2015 with a B.F.A. in motion
picture and television production. She is now furthering her
education as an online graduate student at Kent State University,
pursuing an M.S. in library information science with a concen-tration
in museum studies. Bayleigh is currently a member of the
AmeriCorps VISTA service program at the Housing Assistance
Corporation in Hendersonville, North Carolina. When she is not
specifically working with the Home Repair and Fall Prevention
programs, she is creating a documentary for the corporation
or making PSAs for the website. From her trips to Guatemala,
Cambodia and even within Jackson and Henderson counties,
she views helping those in need as her most important accom-plishment.
If you could be any animal, what would you be? “A red panda.
Those things are just the cutest.”
ELIZABETH LITTLEFIELD | by Melanie Vick
Elizabeth Littlefield graduated summa cum laude in May 2015
with a bachelor’s degree in social work. In April 2015, she was
accepted into WCU’s Advanced Standing Master of Social Work
program and will be completing her degree in about a year. She
looks forward to earning her Licensed Clinical Social Worker
certification to become a child therapist. Her hobbies include
cooking, exploring national parks, watching Netflix and jamming
out to her favorite songs. Her favorite thing about WCU is its
caring faculty.
If you could be any animal, what would it be? “I would be an ele-phant
because I aspire to be wise and deliberate with my actions.”
JAMES HENDLEY | by Daniel Grither
James Hendley graduated from WCU in May 2015 with a B.F.A.
in musical theater, and a minor in dance. He currently lives in
Abingdon, Virginia, where he is a Barter Player at the Abingdon
Barter Theater, Virginia’s state theater. James loves his job
because it gives him the chance to use his love for acting to give
back to people in need. In his free time, he enjoys reading and
hiking on the Appalachian Trail. James misses hanging out with
his friends on the grass by the Catafount during the springtime.
“If you ask more of yourself,” he advises WCU students, “you
will always find more.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be? “I’ve been told
mine is a fox. That feels about right.”
JEFFREY LUCAS | by Sandra Anne Kernodle
Jeffery Lucas graduated in May of 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in
construction management and a minor in business administration.
Jeffrey is now employed with Kiewit Infrastructure Southeast in
Virginia Beach, Va., where he is working as an engineer on the
Midtown Tunnel MLK Extension Project. While at Western, he
played football for 3 years in addition to enjoying hiking, fishing,
skeet shooting and rafting. “My greatest college memory,” Jeffrey
says, “would be when I first met my future wife the first weekend
of freshman year.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be? “A dog because
a dog is strong enough to pull sleds and find bombs, yet gentle
enough to love babies and lead the blind.”
KELLY KINNEAR | by Abigail Powell
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy
and a minor in Spanish, Kelly Kinnear ventured to the Caribbean
for a six-month mission trip. Kelly then returned to Cullowhee
after missing the mountains and took a job at a local pharmacy
to save for graduate school, where she plans to study speech and
language pathology. When she’s not working, Kelly enjoys hiking,
cooking, reading and browsing Pinterest. Kinnear’s advice for
current and future students is to take advantage of every
opportunity that they have to get involved.
If you could be any animal, what would it be?“I would be a toucan
because they get to fly and see the beauty of the world every day
of their lives.”
MAKENSEY CAMPBELL | by Bailey Cave
Makensey Campbell graduated in 2015 with degrees in biology
and environmental health. She played on the women’s basketball
team for all four years and still enjoys playing sports with her
friends and family in her free time. She is currently a first-year
dental student at West Virginia University, but she misses “the
beautiful campus as well as the family atmosphere” at WCU. “Get
involved on campus and enjoy every second you have,” she tells
prospective students. “Your four years will fly by, so enjoy it while
you have the chance.”
If you could be any animal what would it be? “A dog, preferably
a Goldendoodle. They are extremely loyal to the ones they love,
and they always appear to have a positive outlook no matter the
circumstances.”
MIRANDA WELGOS | by Nicole Taylor
“Study abroad!” says Miranda Welgos when asked what advice
she would give to freshmen at Western Carolina. “You really
learn so much that you can’t learn in a general classroom setting.”
Miranda graduated in May of 2015 with a double major in business
administration and Spanish. During her time in college, she stud-ied
abroad in five different countries: Spain, Costa Rica, Cuba,
Peru, and Chile. As a Spanish tutor at Western, Miranda enjoyed
being able to inspire students to study abroad. After graduating,
Miranda immediately began as an account manager at Lab Support,
a company that places science and engineering professionals into
job positions. After work, Miranda loves to relax and destress by
reading a book or playing soccer with friends.
If you could be any animal, what would you be? A bird so that she
can fly everywhere.
OLIVIA LOCHNER | by Wesley Collins
Olivia Lochner graduated in May 2015 with a bachelor’s degree
in psychology. Since then, she has been attending the University
of Kentucky, pursuing a Ph.D. in school psychology. Olivia says
the thing she liked most about Western was the faculty “because
they are always willing to help you meet your goals.” Olivia
advises incoming freshmen to always keep your professors aware
of what’s going on with you; otherwise, it is hard for them to help
you if you are having trouble with anything.
If you could be any animal what would you be? “A dog because
they are smart, loyal and happy”
SAMANTHA MUNGRO | by Rashanelle Sumerall
Samantha Mungro received bachelor’s degrees in both political
science and criminal justice from Western Carolina University,
and now attends Elon University School of Law: “I use much of
what I learned as an undergraduate at Western Carolina University
as a law student [now].” Even though she misses the carefree
nature of campus and the movies that were put on by Live Motion
Productions, she takes the skills that Dr. Collins and Dr. Briggs
taught her to “develop values that I will use not only in law school,
but as a practicing attorney.”
If you could be any animal, what would it be? “A turtle because
as the saying goes, ‘slow and steady wins the race.’ I have learned
that law school is a marathon, not a sprint.”
SARAH GILLELAND | by Lindsay Burleson
After graduating with a B.S. in athletic training in 2015, Sarah
Gilleland chose to continue her studies at the University of South
Carolina, working towards her master’s degree in advanced athletic
training. As a certified athletic trainer, she is employed at USC
as an Athletic Training Graduate Assistant and as an Assistant
Athletic Trainer at Hammond Private School in Columbia, S.C. Her
current vocational responsibilities – such as diagnosing, treating
and rehabilitating athletes with orthopedic injuries – are preparing
her for her future plan to attend medical school and become an
orthopedist. “Make sure to work hard and stay focused on your
goals,” she says to incoming freshmen. “However, it is important
to take time for a little bit of fun and relaxation.”
If you could be any animal, what would you be? “A dolphin because
dolphins are social, fun-loving animals but are also intelligent and
athletic. I consider them to be well-rounded animals.”
SYNDEY TROXLER | by Haylee Wilkie
Sydney Troxler graduated with a bachelor’s degree in musical
theater. Since then, her life has been a busy motion of pursuing
singing, acting and dancing across the country. She has worked
at a theme park and in regional theaters, moving all across the
country. Currently, Sydney is moving to New York City. While
she would love to find work on Broadway, Sydney loves traveling
and hopes to become part of a national tour. Sydney’s favorite
activities include exercising, focusing on being healthy and being
surrounded by nature. Her advice to undergraduates is to cherish
every moment in college because college is about learning and
growing.
If you could be any animal, what would you be? “I would be a dog,
preferably my dog. He gets pampered and loved on. He is quite
spoiled, so I would like that a lot.”
TORI LANDOLF | by Dianne Schleicher
Tori Landolf graduated in Spring 2015 with a B.A. in English and
a B.S. in education. Immediately following her graduation, Tori
moved to Leicester, NC to teach 7th grade English. In her rare free
time as a teacher, she likes to play video games, cook, read books
and listen to music. Though she adores the ups and downs of
teaching, Tori misses the atmosphere of WCU. A former member
of the Honors College and club tennis team, Tori longs for the
sense of community and belonging on campus. She advises current
students to “take advantage of the time you have at WCU…If you
don’t engage in other opportunities that are out there, how will
you have any adventure or sense of the world?”
If you could be any animal, what would it be? “Well, my favorite
animal has always been the elephant because they are supposed
to be wise creatures, but I don’t think I would enjoy getting
poached for my ivory tusks…so I guess I would be some sort of
domesticated animal. Let’s go with a cat, since I’m more of an
independent person.”
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 26 27
Localization of Tps1 and Tps2 Proteins Involved
in Trehalose Biosynthesis in the Pathogenic
Yeast, Cryptococcus Neoformans
Breana Steele, presenter | Indrani Bose, sponsor
CHEMISTRY
Development of Europium-doped Gadolinium
Fluoride Nanoparticles for Potential
Biomedical Imaging
Laney Browder, presenter | Channa R. De Silva, sponsors
Subsistent Effects on Europium Metal-Centered
Luminescence
Rachel Downing, Alexander Lillie, Christian Jensen, Joseph Lee,
presenters | Brian Dinklemeyer, Channa R. De Silva, sponsors
Adsorption of Cu(II) to Unmodified
and Modified Peanut Hulls
Melissa Glatte, presenter | Carmen Huffman, sponsor
Synthesis, Characterization, and Luminescent
Studies of Europium-Doped Zinc Oxide
Nanoparticles for Potential Biomedical
Applications
Joseph Lee, Nicole Dragan, Rachel Downing, presenters
Channa R. De Silva, sponsor
Surface-Functionalization of Magnetite
Nanoparticles for potential Biomedical
Applications
Aaron Lipchak, presenter | Channa R. De Silva, sponsor
Synthesis, Characterization, and Luminescent
Properties of Lanthanide Dipyridophenazine
Functionalized Complexes for Potential
Bio-imaging Applications
Alexander Lillie, Jeremy Beasley, presenters | Channa R. De
Silva, Brian D. Dinkelmeyer, sponsors
Oxidation of Peanut Hulls Via Alkaline
Peroxide Bleaching
Holly Truluck, presenter | Carmen Huffman, sponsor
Stability Studies of a Mutated Protein Causing
Cystic Fibrosis
Kenneth Nilsson, presenter | Brittany Lott, sponsor
Selective Mono-Reduction of Conjugated Ester
Functional Groups Using Lithium Borohydride
Walter Rice, Lauren Miller, presenters | William R. Kwochka,
sponsor
Optimization of the Fabrication Parameters
for SERS-active Forensic Evidence Swabs
Used in the Serological Screening of Human
Bodily Fluids
Katarina Ruehl, Matthew Burleson, presenters | David D.
Evanoff, sponsor
Synthesis, Characterization, and Cytotoxicity
Studies of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles
Jordan Spell, Joseph Lee, Nicole Dragan, presenters | Heather
Coan, Channa R. De Silva, sponsors
Catalytic Dihydroxylation of Alkenes by Means
of Recoverable Osmium Catalyst for Use in
Assembling Covalent Organic Frameworks
Nancy Wiebelhaus, presenter | William R. Kwochka, sponsor
Computational Studies of Terbium ß-diketonate
Complexes: Evaluating the Substituent Effects
on the Luminescent Properties
Joshua Rickard, presenter | Channa R. De Silva, sponsor
CRIMINOLOGY
Assessment of a Telecommunications
Company’s Compliance with Best Practices
for Emergency Preparedness for a Small
Community
Cadle Warren, presenter | Thomas C. Johnson, sponsor
ECOLOGY & ORGANISMAL BIOLOGY
Investigating the Effects of Urbanization
on Bird Song
Sarah Bennett, presenter | Barbara Ballentine, sponsor
“Establishing the Distribution of Desmognathus
Folkertsi in the North Carolina Segment of the
Chattooga River Drainage”
Olivia Arnold, presenter | Karen Kandl, sponsor
Differences in Surface Activity Behaviors in
Two Terrestrial Salamanders
Joseph Kennedy, presenter | Joseph Pechmann, sponsor
EDUCATION
Creating Self-Directed Learners Through
Writing Workshops
Cecilia Anderson, presenter | Kelly Tracy, sponsor
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Effects of Fiber End Debris on Bit Error Rate
Testing
Milton Canupp, Jacob Spurling, presenter | Ian Timmins, Weiguo
(Bill) Yang, sponsors
Structured Illumination Method Matlab Model
William McCray, presenter | Weiguo (Bill) Yang, sponsor
MEID/IMEI Extraction as an Alternative Mobile
Phone Tracing Method for Law Enforcement
Officers
Jacob Spurling, Zachary Frizzell, presenters | Yanjun Yan,
sponsor
Human Robot Interaction with Image
Based Controls
Nicolas Neal, presenter | Paul Yanik, sponsor
ENGINEERING/ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGY
Optimal Radius for Slider Crank Wave Energy
Converter
Daniel Wallace, presenter | Hayrettin Karayaka, sponsor
Gait Compensation for Instability Caused
by Backpacks
Arlynn Baker, John Gilliam, presenters | Martin Tanaka, Dave
Hudson, sponsors
Fabrication and Characterization of Ionic Wind
Propulsion Devices
Dustin Burgess, Marshall Murphy, presenters | Michael S. June,
sponsor
A Student Team’s Research and Development
of an Autonomous Navigation System
Kenyatta Fortune, Kyle Johnson, Chase Weddle, Taylor Parks,
Wesley Dixon, presenters | Peter Tay, sponsor
Bolted Connection Testing of Pultruded Fiber
Reinforced Polymers
Blake Thomas, presenter | Robert Steffen, sponsor
The Differences Between Polyphenylene Oxide
and Machinable Ceramic
Darien Hewett, Amia Jones, presenters | Sudhir Kaul, sponsor
ENGLISH
From Aristotle to Contemporary Philanthropy:
Analyzing the Rhetoric of Nonprofit Grant
Proposals
Lauren Stepp, presenter | Brent Kinser, sponsor
The Bastards: Illegitimacy in William Faulkner’s
“Light In August” and Zora Neale Hurston’s
“Their Eyes Were Watching God”
Hannah Wade, presenter | Mae Miller Claxton, sponsor
“Moving On”: The Character of Jo as Social
Critique in Charles Dickens’s Bleak House
Teryn Worsham, presenter | Brent Kinser, sponsor
A Caged Singer: the Social Construction of
Disability in the Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by
Carson McCullers
Crystal Plemmons, presenter | Annette Debo, sponsor
Clearing Away the Ashes: A Feminist reading
of Anne Sexton’s “Cinderella”
Crystal Plemmons, presenter | Annette Debo, sponsor
The Masses, Media, and Recession of Meaning
in Don DeLillo’s White Noise
Tom Rogers, presenter | Annette Debo, sponsor
“The Wanderer”: Questions in Consolation
Makayla Smith, presenter | Mimi Fenton, sponsor
“Heaps O’ Folkses Be Varmints”: Animal and
Human Identity in Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’s
Cross Creek
Savannah Bateman, presenter | Brent Kinser, sponsor
Feminism and the Identity of Women in Angela
Carter’s “The Company of Wolves”
Audrey Constantino, presenter | Brent Kinser, sponsor
Change in Language and How Workplace
Language Changes Identity
Taylor Sledge, presenter | Drew Virtue, sponsor
The Influences of Corrupt Puritan Marriage
Laws on Literature: A Presentist Look at 17th
Century English Laws and Their Influence on
Fictional Vienna in Shakespeare’s Comedy,
Measure for Measure
Tess Cordevant, presenter | Mary Adams, sponsor
Deterioration of the American Dream: Economic
Determinism in James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s
Blues”
Jacqueline Colecio, presenter | Annette Debo, sponsor
Appalachian Identity: Stereotypes, Traditional
Storytelling, and Racial History
Audrey Constantino, presenter | Brent Kinser, sponsor
Cultural Minorities in the Professional
Environment
Jacob Frost, presenter | Drew Virtue, sponsor
LGBT Identity in the Workplace
Christian Henderson, presenter | Drew Virtue, sponsor
Deterioration of Ecology: Battle of the Binaries
in Ron Rash’s “Serena”
Jacqueline Colecio, presenter | Annette Debo, sponsor
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES & SCIENCES
A Hazard Analysis of the Handheld 3D Printing Pen
Abigail Tighe, presenter | Tracy Zontek, sponsor
Visual Assessment of Cullowhee Creek and
Richland Creek to Assess Habitat Quality
Wayne Ryan, Arthur Bien, Andy Myers, Taylor Payne, presenters
Thomas Martin, sponsor
Biofuels or Food Sources: Can We Have Both?
Loriann Tedder, presenter | Melissa Birkhofer, sponsor
GEOGRAPHY & EARTH SCIENCES
Identification of a Low-Ti Basalt Clast in Lunar
Meteorite NWA 8783
Eliza Hurst, Elizabeth Erwin, Rainee Howard, Lachlan Kernz,
Lindsay Locklear , Andrew Ross, Justin Winter, presenters
Amy L. Fagan, sponsor
Troctolite from Outer Space: NWA 8687 Frum
a Lunar Place
Veasey Maxwell, Holly Hurding-Jones, Mitchell Peeler, Elijah
Shields, Bryce Vascik, Matthew Rudziewicz, presenters | Amy L.
Fagan, sponsor
Field and Geochemical Constraints on the
Origin of the Panthertown Valley Felsic Igneous
Complex: Western, NC
Michael Keever, presenter | Cheryl Waters, sponsor
Temporal and spatial variation of drillhole
frequency within the Miocene St. Mary’s
Formation, Maryland
Leslie Montoya, presenter | Frank Forcino, Emily Stafford,
sponsors
Utilization of specific ultraviolet absorbance
to clasify variable quality of dissolved organic
carbon
Laura Dodgin, presenter | JP Gannon, Trip Krenz, sponsors
HEALTH SCIENCES & PUBLIC HEALTH
Emission of Ultrafine Particles from Various
Base Metals in TIG Welding
Rebecca Williams, presenter | Tracy Zontek, sponsor
Hazard Analysis of Consumer Grade 3D Printers
Shelby Clark, presenter | Tracy Zontek, sponsor
Do It for the Kids: Potential Safety Hazards of
the Crayola® Marker Airbrush
Sophia Calhoun, Scott Hollenbeck, John Jankovic, presenters
Tracy Zontek, Burton Ogle, sponsors
The Effects of C7-T1 Mobilization on Pain,
Pain-Pressure Threshold and Shoulder Strength
Whittney Correll, presenter | James R. Scifers, sponsor
Scapular Fracture in a Collegiate Football Player
Whittney Correll, presenter | James R. Scifers, sponsor
Carry-Over Effects of Continuous Shortwave
Diathermy and Stretching in Developing
Hamstring Flexibility
Erin Grimsley, Kelcey Holcomb, presenter | James R. Scifers,
sponsor
ANTHROPOLOGY & ARCHAEOLOGY
Bone Cracking in High Humidity/High
Temperature Environment
Lauren Stogner, presenter | John A. Williams, sponsor
The Ease of Observation of Saw Cut Marks
on Atypical Bones
Madeline Ormand, presenter | John A. Williams, sponsor
ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN
Textile Weaving in Appalchia
Cassandra Smith, presenter | Betty Torrell, sponsor
The History of Gourd Art
Tuyen Tram, presenter | Betty Torrell, sponsor
ASTRONOMY
Jbilet Winselwan: Understanding the
Composition and History of C-Type Asteroids
Michael Cato, presenter | Amy L. Fagan, sponsor
BIOCHEMISTRY
Validation of the Alpha-Glycerophosphate
Oxidase Catalytic Mechanism Via Site-Directed
Mutagenesis
Alma Plaza-Rodriguez, Aric Butler, presenters
Jamie R. Wallen, sponsor
Investigation of Amino Acid Residues in the
C-Terminal Tail of Bacteriophage T7
Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein Predicted
to Bind DNA Polymerase
Jenny Collins, Brittni Foster, presenters | Jamie R. Wallen, sponsor
BIOLOGY
The Discovery and Comparison of Two
Temperate Bacteriophages and Their Repressors
Erin Cafferty, Sandra Anne Kernodle, presenters
Megan Eckhardt, Jamie R. Wallen, Maria D. Gainey, sponsors
Examining the Feeding Preferences of
Dermestes Maculatus on a Variety of Different
Animal Soft Tissue
Emily Ashe, presenter | Sean O’Connell, sponsor
CELL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Discovery and Classification of 2 Temperate
Bacteriophages via viral Immunity Testing
ReLiza McGinnis, Brooke Burns, presenters | Maria D. Gainey,
Jamie R. Wallen, Megan Eckhardt, sponsors
Localization of DNA Polymerase Gamma in the
Pathogenic Yeast, Cryptococcus Neoformans
Merab Mushfiq, presenter | Indrani Bose, sponsor
Are KRAS Mutations Found in Zebrafish Tumors?
Jannah Plaster, presenter | Jessica L. Moore, sponsor
Using RNA Interference to Identify Virulence
Related Geneses in the Basidiomycetous Yeast,
Cryptococcus Neoformans
Rebecca Sargent, presenter | Indrani Bose, sponsor
Below are the projects accepted, titles, student presenters and their sponsors for NCUR30.
Funding for travel to NCUR30 was made possible by local tuition funds earmarked for
support of the Quality Enhancement Plan and undergraduate research in particular.
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 28 29
You’re all up in my Kool-Aid
and you don’t even know
what flavor it is.
- Chemistry professor
It means that heaven is
located within her arms.
- Girl in Balsam
It’s like chocolate-flavored battery acid.
- Person in Starbucks
It’s l ike au to-c or rect for my face.
- Person in Starbucks about make-up
I knew it was you - no one else has
hair that’s so unloved that it’s loved.
- Guy in parking lot
I’m not wearing pants today.
- Guy outside of Scott
I’m a sucker for couplets.
- Girl in Coulter
Doesn‛t MRI stand for some
thing-rectum-something?
- Girl studying for psych exam
Overheard in Cullowhee
I was being wholesome.
- Girl in Scott
Constrictive Pericarditis in a Collegiate
Football Player
Jackson Roper, Marco Giuliani, presenters | Melissa Snyder,
sponsor
Parameniscal Cyst Rupture in a Collegiate
Football Player
Hannah Bolin, presenter | Melissa Snyder, sponsor
Comparison of Four Common Taping Proce-dures
Lauren Harris, Sarah Corn, presenters | Melissa Snyder,
sponsor
Effectiveness of Pre-Participation Physical
Exams in Screening for Female Athlete Triad
in Secondary School Athletes
Kelcey Holcomb, presenter | James R. Scifers, sponsor
The Effect of the Thermostim Probe on Triceps
Surae Flexibility
Dalton Greer, Levi Cales, Greylin Cleary, presenters
James R. Scifers, sponsor
HISTORY
The Importance and Unimportance of
Authenticity: How Films That Center on
the American Civil War Play into Societal
Understandings of the War Itself
Hannah Wade, presenter | Richard Starnes, sponsor
Betty Ford: Becoming a Controversial First Lady
Marian Hough, presenter | Gael Graham, sponsor
Ironing, Curlers, and the Sears Big Book: A
Look into the Life of Carrie Adelade Coffey
Cook, an Appalachian Farm Woman
Anna Killian, presenter | Mary Ella Engel, sponsor
Comparing Bracero Work Camps to Japanese
Internment Camps
Savannah Marino, presenter | Gael Graham, sponsor
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES
An Ethnography of the Sexual Promiscuity
of Students at Western Carolina University
Through Yik Yak: Have You ‘Herd’?
Fiona Buchanan, presenter | Philip Coyle, Colin Townsend,
sponsors
INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
Lack of Action in the Global Food Crisis
Anna Ferretiz, presenter | Melissa Birkhofer, sponsor
LINGUISTICS & WORLD LANGUAGES
Dropping the Bomb: Eminem’s Usage of the
Word “Fuck”
Sara Lamm, presenter | Erin Callahan, sponsor
LITERATURE
Seeing Red: the Non-Western Aesthetics
of Yahgulanaas’ Haida Manga
Sara Lamm, presenter | Paul M. Worley, sponsor
Deconstructing the Unconstructed: Differance
of Diction in Gertrude Stein’s Tender Buttons
Anna Oates, presenter | Annette Debo, sponsor
Women Forcing Lesbian Women Into the
Nuclear Family Mold in Dorothy Allison’s
“Don’t Tell Me You Don’t Know”
Sandra Nikula, presenter | Annette Debo, sponsor
Abandonment in Charles Dickens’s Bleak
House: Immobility and Identity
Anna Oates, presenter | Brent Kinser, sponsor
“Chronicling Crackerdom: Problems with
Narrator Identity, Otherness, and Cultural
Appropriation in Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’s
Cross Creek”
Allison Dorminey, presenter | Brent Kinser, sponsor
The Use of Animal Imagery in Shakespeare’s
Much Ado About Nothing
Kelsie Engle, presenter | Mary Adams, sponsor
MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
Elucidating the Microbial Diversity in Two
Commercial Brands of Kombucha
Chequita Brooks, presenter | Sean O’Connell, sponsor
Classification of 21 Novel Mycobacteriophag-es
Isolated at Western Carolina University
Aaron Stevens, Mary Edwards, presenters | Megan Eckardt,
Jamie R. Wallen, Maria D. Gainey, sponsors
MUSIC
Teaching Music on the Spectrum: A New
Level of Inclusion
Katelyn Johnson, presenter | Christina Reitz, sponsor
The Influence of Haydn on Beethoven
Meredith Offerjost, presenter | Christina Reitz, sponsor
NUTRITION
Association Between Access to Transportation
and Household Food Insecurity in the Senior
Population of Jackson County, NC
Julia Harrill, Katie Austin, presenters | Elizabeth Wall-Bassett,
sponsor
College Students Cooking Skills and Nutri-tious
Food Choices
Fabiola Jimenez, presenter | Beth Wall-Bassett, sponsor
PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS
Justice and Human Nature: Comparing Plato
and Thucydides
Kaitlyn Wright, presenter | Daryl Hale, sponsor
The Fate of the Damned: The Role of Predetermi-nation
in Augustine’s Model of the Good Life
Breana Steele, presenter | John Whitmire, sponsor
A Dedication to Finding and Crossing the
Bridge: Journey of the Übermensch
Kevin Bryson, presenter | John F. Whitmire, sponsor
Academic Artifice: The Relevance of
Pragmatic Thought in Education Reform
James Parr, presenter | David G. Henderson, sponsor
Don Quixote and Santayana’s Aesthetics
of Beauty
Anthony Collins, presenter | David Henderson, sponsor
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Military Bases and Ideology: Spatial Theory
and Media
Craig Daughtrey Mejia, presenter | Michael McDonald,
sponsor
Cursing’s Correlation with Political Violence
Sarah Kepley, presenter | Michael McDonald, sponsor
PSYCHOLOGY
Slut Shaming in Women
Savannah Marino, presenter | W. David Scales, sponsor
Predictors of Hooking Up in a Rural
University Setting
Gianna White, presenter | W. David Scales, sponsor
Hostility and Aggression at the Endpoint
of a Dating Relationship
Sydney Newton, presenter | W. David Scales, sponsor
Knowledge on Asexuality
Alexis Austin, Aidan Carey, Taylor Wootten, Ashley Holland,
Kristen Metcalf, presenters| Mickey Randolph, Candace
Boan-Lenzo, sponsors
Perceptions of Asexuality
Kristen Metcalf, Alexis Austin, Aidan Carey, Taylor Wootten,
Ashley Holland, presenters | Mickey Randolph, Candace
Boan-Lenzo, sponsors
Personality Factors and Electronic Cigarette Use
Kayla Byrd, presenter | David McCord, sponsor
In the Mood for a Movie: Does an Individual’s
Mood Have an Effect on Their Movie Genre
Choices?
Ashley Dillard, presenter | David McCord, sponsor
The Restoration of Attention
Krisy Gaskell, presenter | Windy Gordon, sponsor
Children on the Home Front: The Effects
Deployment Has on Military Children
Jennifer Miller, presenter | Bruce Henderson, sponsor
Assessment of Knowledge of School
Psychology Among Undergraduates
Tiffani Parrish, presenter | Ethan Schilling, sponsor
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Environmental Activism in The Lord of the Rings
Lia Plankenhorn, presenter | John Whitmire, sponsor
Irenaeus and Redempt
Anthony Collins, presenter | John Whitmire, sponsor
Authoritative/Authoritarian Beliefs and the
LGBT+ Community: A Qualitative Analysis
of Attitudes towards Exposure to Same-Sex
Scenarios
Garrett Godwin, presenter | W. David Scales, sponsor
Relationships Between Androgyny, Perceived
Stress, and Neuroticism
Garrett Godwin, presenter | Kia Asberg, sponsor
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability Audit of Highlands
Biological Station
Zack Waldroup, Katherine Eddings, Jessica Floyd, Tanner
Stamey, presenters | Laura DeWald, sponsor
FACULTY-AMINISTRATOR NETWORK
(FAN) SESSIONS
Course Redesign for Student Engagement
April Tallant, John Williams, Stephen LeBeau, presenters
IMAGINE MAGAZINE 2016 THE HONORS COLLEGE 30 31
828.227.7383 | honors.wcu.edu
HC 101 Balsam Hall
1 University Drive
Cullowhee, NC 28723-9646