AEC Presentations

Below is a list of live presentations.

Cult Confessions: How Stigmatized Groups Use TikTok to Tell Their Truth

McKendree Honors Program

The presenter will discuss the stigma surrounding the cult label and the role that media plays in contrasting and/or exacerbating that stigma. The research process will be discussed along with depth in analysis of certain groups.

Presenters: Emma McIlhargie

Sponsor: Dr. Robyn Swink

Location: PAC 222

Building the Future: The Role of AI in Construction

McKendree Honors Program

The presenter will discuss the applications of artificial intelligence in the construction industry. Topics will include how AI improves efficiency, enhances safety, and optimizes project management. The impact of AI on the future of construction will also be explored.

Presenters: Schuyler Cramer

Sponsor: Dr. Allie Helfrich

Location: PAC 220

The Three C’s of Medical Providers: How Competency, Compassion, and Communication Influence Patient Choice

McKendree Honors Program

The presenter will discuss how competency, communication, and compassion influence a patient's choice of their medical provider. Background, methods, analysis, and conclusions will be provided.

Presenters: Gillian Nicholson

Sponsor: Dr. Robb VanPutte

Location: PAC 218

Microplastics in the Kaskaskia River

The presenters will discuss their findings of microplastics in water samples taken from various locations of the Kaskaskia River. There will be discussion about the connection between water depth, total suspended sediments, and microplastic concentrations.

Presenters: Mallory Snow, Sydney Walter

Sponsor: Dr. Mike Louison

Location: PAC 216

Why Are Athletic Training Employment Numbers Sparse in Rural Settings?

The presenter will discuss the challenges and factors that lead to rural schools not having athletic trainers or having athletic trainers with minimal support or with insufficient supplies.

Presenters: Jordan Sapp

Sponsor: Dr. Dawn Hankins

Location: PAC 215

A Case Study on Fraud in Dixon, Illinois

In this session, accounting students will present their accounting theory capstone project.

Presenters: Jenna Beddow, Jaxon Goforth, Kayla Hanenberger, Janaya Laqua, Alex Napawan, and Blake Westrater

Sponsor: Terese Kasson

Location: PAC 214

Coercion and Feral Cats

Join the McKendree University Speech and Debate Team for two award-winning performances. Alyssa Scherer will perform her poetry, which explores the role of coercion in sexual assault, while Alexandra Walthes will perform her after dinner speech, which humorously examines the problems posed by feral cats – and how we can deal with them.

Presenters: Caitlin Asbury, Alyssa Scherer, Alexandra Walthes

Sponsor: Joe Blasdel

Location: PAC 116

3D Printing in Theatre

McKendree Honors Program

An exploration into the feasibility of utilizing a 3D printer in various aspects of theatre productions, with an emphasis on props.

Presenters: Caleb Marriott

Sponsor: Michelle Magnussen

Location: PAC 115

Elementary Teachers' Perspectives on Computer Science in the K-5 Classroom

The presenter will discuss the findings from her mixed-methods study that explored elementary teachers’ perceptions and practices related to implementing computer science (CS) into their classrooms. Background, methods, and analysis will be provided. These findings contribute to an understanding of how to support elementary teachers in fostering equitable and accessible CS education.

Presenters: Sarah Phelps

Sponsor: Dr. Jennie Winters

Location: PAC 114

Below is a list of live presentations.

#OCD on TikTok: An Emerging Source for Mental Health Information

McKendree Honors Program

The presenter will discuss trends in obsessive compulsive disorder related content on TikTok. Common content themes, content promoters and the statistical findings will be addressed.

Presenters: Mia M. Wylie

Sponsor: Dr. Guy A. Boysen

Location: PAC 222

The Cost of the Catch: Evaluating Bluegill Injuries and Mortality Across Hook Sizes

McKendree Honors Program

This presentation examines the effects of different hook sizes on bluegill injuries, including deep hooking, eye injuries, bleeding, reflex impairment, and mortality rates. The data-driven findings provide insights for sustainable fishing practices aimed at reducing harm to sensitive populations.

Presenters: Ashley Hayley

Sponsor: Dr. Mike Louison

Location: PAC 220

AI in the Shadows: An Anonymous Study of Student Usage

This presentation explores the hidden ways college students are integrating AI into their daily lives. This study delves into the subtle and often unnoticed applications of AI, revealing how students use technology for academic, personal, and social purposes. By conducting anonymous interviews, the project uncovers both the benefits and challenges students face with AI.

Presenters: Tomoki Asano, Dylan Boyd, Millie Crittenden, Rycol Davis, Olivia Fuller, Elijah Matheson, Mike Milesi, Aiden O'Keefe, Aimar Oregui, Baylie Parks, Zachary Pocos, and Ellie Scheller

Sponsor: Dr. Allie Helfrich

Location: PAC 218

Decision-Making Process of sports-related head injuries used by Athletic Trainers

The presenter will be discussing the decision-making process of athletic trainers with sports related concussions. What a sports related concussion is, what the protocol is, how to get the athlete back to return to play, and the steps used by athletic trainers.

Presenters: Veronica Svajgl

Sponsor: Dr. Dawn Hankins

Location: PAC 217

Contested City: Interpreting Civil War Era St. Louis

The Civil War Era course conducted research on Civil War History in the St. Louis region. Students will share what happened during a field visit to multiple sites of memory and mourning, with a focus on why some are famously memorialized, while others are hidden under some of the city's most popular leisure sites.

Presenters: Caitlin Asbury, Emily Baack, Aaron Brown, Kennadi Hebel, Isaiah Hein, Austin Herrera, Hunter James, Imani McNamee, Victoria Porta, Samantha Reich, Brice Sarginson, Jack Taulman, Zariah Valentine, and Bradon West

Sponsor: Dr. Lauren Thompson

Location: PAC 216

World Business Deals: What to prepare for when handling business in collectivist countries

The presenter will discuss the differences in how business is handled in collectivist versus individualist countries. Differences in verbal and non verbal communication, use of time, use of formalities, priority of goals, and power distance will be discussed. As conducting business internationally continues to expand, it is important to be familiar with the norms and values of collectivist countries to ensure successful business deals.

Presenters: Sonia Halabi

Sponsor: Dr. Rich Murphy

Location: PAC 215

Exploring Social and Gender Identities Through Media and Academia

These presenters will discuss social and gender identities. Both studies provide valuable insights into how identity is constructed, challenged, and represented across different spheres, emphasizing the critical role of media and academic institutions in shaping societal norms.

Presenters: Grace Gross, Roxanne McWorter

Sponsor: Dr. Sara Frank

Location: PAC 214

Greenland Annexation, Adolescent Bullying, and You Call It

Join the McKendree University Speech and Debate Team for three award-winning performances. Nicole Blue will perform an extemporaneous speech regarding the possible annexation of Greenland, while Gracie Vincent will perform her prose, exploring the challenges of adolescent bullying. Finally, Anna Rose Sheehan will perform an impromptu speech based on a topic of audience choosing.

Presenters: Nicole Blue, Anna Rose Sheehan, and Gracie Vincent

Sponsor: Joe Blasdel

Location: PAC 116

Tactics or Tantrums? Assessing Student-Athlete Perception of Coaching Behaviors

McKendree Honors Program

In an effort to explore student-athlete mental health, the relationship between the athlete and the coach is examined as it can greatly affect the athlete's experience both at their institution and their life post-college. However, this effect can be positive or negative. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to define what toxic coaching means to athletes and identify the percentage of DII athletes who have experienced a toxic coaching environment during their collegiate career. The goal of the study is to identify if there is a need for a change in procedures for selecting and educating coaches at the DII collegiate level.

Presenters: Larissa Gorgevska-Sharpe

Sponsor: Dr. Katy Gayford

Location: PAC 115

Representing Social Justice through Art

The presenters will showcase two art pieces about social justice issues that impact education. Attendees will have time to look over one piece and ask questions and participate in the other piece.

Presenters: Maggie De Long, Claire Jasper, Savanna Robertson, Carly Smothers, and Brooke Zurlien

Sponsor: Dr. Michael Downton

Location: PAC 114

Below is a list of live presentations.

Coping Strategies of College Students

McKendree Honors Program

The presenter will discuss the research paper that is based on data gathered from a brief survey regarding the stressors and coping strategies of students at McKendree University. The goal is to explore whether students improve their coping strategies over time in response to common college stressors. I hope these findings will provide valuable insights to students, helping them identify effective strategies for academic success.

Presenters: Gabrielle Fizer

Sponsor: Dr. Guy A. Boysen

Location: PAC 222

Web Watcher: Keep an Eye on Online Deals

McKendree Honors Program

The presenter will discuss their journey in creating Web Watcher, an app designed to monitor product availability and price changes across various websites. Topics covered will include web scraping, automated web browsing, and mobile app development.

Presenters: Graham Harvey

Sponsor: Dr. Kian Pokorny

Location: PAC 220

Chat GP-Conspiracy: Do People Place "Blind Faith" in AI-Generated Responses?

Do people place unwavering trust in AI-generated responses? The presenters will explore the influence of sources on belief in factual and non-factual statements. Background, methods, analysis, and implications will be covered.

Presenters: Nadia Franks, Raeghan Henrichs, Brooke Junker, and Sydney Kane

Sponsor: Dr. Michael Hahn

Location: PAC 218

Athletic Training in Industrial Settings

The presenter will discuss athletic trainers and their role in industrial settings. She will explain how they can benefit companies by reducing workplace injuries and treating them when they do happen. She will also discuss the point of view of employees and how athletic trainers can make an impact in their lives.

Presenters: Colleen Preusser

Sponsor: Dr. Dawn Hankins

Location: PAC 217

Practicing the Pitch: Nike Product Development Showcase

In a bid to launch a new product for Nike, two teams from MGT354: Business Communication will showcase their innovative product development pitches. Supported by thorough market research, each team will demonstrate how their product idea addresses the needs of Nike's target market. Which product do you think will achieve the most successful launch?

Presenters: Jenna Beddow, Kayla Hanenberger, Tiffany Patton, and Noah Tague

Sponsor: Dr. Allie Helfrich

Location: PAC 216

From Data to Victory: How Wearables are Revolutionizing Athletic Performance

The presenter will discuss the impact of wearable technology on athletic performance in intercollegiate and professional sports. Background, methods, results, and conclusion will be addressed.

Presenters: Rhian Dobinson

Sponsor: Dr. Dawn Hankins

Location: PAC 215

Voices and Visions: Unpacking Identity, Communication, and Stigmatization

This panel presentation brings together three qualitative studies that explore the intricate interplay between self-expression, communication, and societal perceptions. The first study, "Hue and Meaning: Decoding the Messages Behind Dyed Hair," investigates how individuals use hair color to convey identity and challenge norms. The second paper, "Listening In Behind Closed Doors: Exploring the Impact of Eavesdropping and Uncertainty Reduction Theory," examines the ethical implications of eavesdropping and its impact on interpersonal communication. Finally, "Silenced Voices: The Impact of Labels on Women's Sexual Discourse" delves into how the stigmatization of women restricts their ability to speak about their experiences. Together, these papers highlight the diverse ways in which individuals navigate identity, communication, and the societal forces that shape their voices.

Presenters: Emily Bullard, Kira Jean Johnson, and Elana Melzer

Sponsor: Dr. Sara Frank

Location: PAC 214

Researching to Debate: Reflections on four years of competitive debate research practices

Debate Captain Aaron Brown and National Parliamentary Debate Association All-American Emma McIlhargie explore the research process of competitive debate and reflect on its role in their education, personal development, and future plans. The two use recent research projects for the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence as a starting point for their discussion, dealing with the interplay of current events and well-established theory.

Presenters: Aaron Brown, Emma McIlhargie

Sponsor: Brent Nicholson

Location: PAC 116

Ponzi Plots and Corporate Corruption: The Media's Role in White-Collar Crime Narratives

McKendree Honors Program

A common theme in American political discourse is the omnipresence of a liberal media bias. Recently, Donald Trump and his administration consistently portray news media as liberal and worthy of attack. The "liberalness" of the media supposedly extends to its stance on capitalism, with government officials going to great lengths to protect the capitalist system that is supposedly being attacked by liberals in the news media. Thus, capitalism’s portrayal in mainstream media provides an ideal point of analysis to examine the extent of liberal bias, particularly through the analysis of five major white-collar crime cases over the course of twenty-six years.

Presenters: Caitlin Asbury

Sponsor: Dr. Stephen Hagan

Location: PAC 115

Athletic Trainers and Diabetes, Where Do We Fit In?

A systematic review of literature pertaining to type 1 and 2 diabetes, Emergency action plans, position statements on type 1 diabetes, and NATA documents pertaining to diabetes.

Presenters: William Nall

Sponsor: Dr. Dawn Hankins

Location: PAC 114

Below is a list of live presentations.

You Better Work: Line Integrals of Scalar and Vector Fields

McKendree Honors Program

In this honors project, we explore properties and applications of the line integral. We end with a theorem that relates line integrals and double integrals.

Presenters: Evan Sutton

Sponsor: Dr. Alan Alewine

Location: PAC 222

Water Under the Bridge: Historical Infrastructure Authorization

McKendree Honors Program

The presenter will go through historical cases of infrastructure and analyze federal governmental support behind them. Research findings will be provided along with analysis of results.

Presenters: Zane Phillips

Sponsor: Dr. Brian Frederking

Location: PAC 220

Reducing Waste of Sustainable Clothing through Clothing Drive Events

McKendree Honors Program

This project will do research on how clothing drive events can help reduce the waste of sustainable clothing. Also, it will give a “real” example based on a clothing drive event that happened on the campus in February. It will talk about research and events that happened and put it all together by summarizing how clothing drives can help and why is it important to do it. It will provide some future research as well.

Presenters: Sofija Dunisijevic

Sponsor: Dr. Allie Helfrich

Location: PAC 218

Sports Performance Benefits of Creatine on College Athletes

This study aims to explore the performance benefits of creatine monohydrate supplementation in NCAA college athletes, focusing on its effects across different sports, genders, and the need for proper supplementation education. Through a systematic review of existing literature, this research addresses key questions regarding the potential disadvantages of not supplementing with creatine, the differential benefits between male and female athletes, and the varying impacts across sport types, including collision, contact, and non-contact sports. This study highlights the importance of educating athletes about the safe and effective use of creatine monohydrate. Findings suggest that creatine supplementation significantly enhances performance in strength, power, and high-intensity sports, with men experiencing greater muscular gains compared to women, who still benefit from improved energy, recovery, and cognitive function. The study underscores the need for increased awareness and education among athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers to optimize the use of creatine monohydrate for performance enhancement while mitigating potential risks. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sports nutrition and provides valuable insights for athletes seeking to improve their performance through evidence-based supplementation strategies.

Presenters: Austin Perez

Sponsor: Dr. Dawn Hankins

Location: PAC 217

Lessons Learned Running a 5K Charity Race

There is no better way to learn how to do something than to go and do it. As such, in SPM 376 students get on-the-job training in planning, executing, and evaluating a fundraising sports event. Under the guidance of Dr. Itri, students lead the way from start to finish in bringing a 5K race event to fruition. As they work together, they learn some of the most important aspects necessary to run a successful sports event. Come learn about their successes, failures, and things they'd do differently next time.

Presenters: Amber Williams, Nikos Xydakis, Lexus Petrich, Brendan Carney, Tyler Paluczak, and Katie Dawson

Sponsor: Dr. Rob Itrl

Location: PAC 216

Tommy John Surgery: The future of pitching in baseball

The presenter will discuss the relationship between the increase in pitching velocities over the years to the increased rate of UCL injuries (Tommy John surgeries). Background information on the throwing phases and elbow and wrist anatomy will be provided to discuss the possible ways to limit injury while increasing velocity as a pitcher develops.

Presenters: Gage Watherfield

Sponsor: Dr. Dawn Hankins

Location: PAC 215

From Past to Present: A Visual Journey Through University Memories

Join these Bicentennial Scholars for an interactive journey through McKendree University’s history, where past and present photos of campus come to life. Compare iconic spots from different eras, share memories, and explore the stories behind the transformations. This engaging presentation celebrates the university’s evolution while connecting generations of Bearcats.

Presenters: Grace Gross, Anna Leitner

Sponsor: Dr. Brian Frederking and Dr. Shelly Lemons

Location: PAC 214

Voices of Connection: Exploring Communication Through Companion Animals and Youth Slang

This panel presentation highlights two qualitative studies that examine the nuances of communication within familial and youth contexts. The first paper, "More than Just a Furry Friend: Examining Family Bonds and Communication Patterns through Companion Animals," investigates the significant role of companion animals in shaping family dynamics, utilizing social construction theory to reveal how these relationships influence communication and understanding. The second study, "What the Skibbidi? An In-Depth Analysis of the Development of Slang in Youth and Educational Perceptions," explores how children assign meanings and contextual relevance to their conversations. These papers illuminate the diverse ways in which communication shapes relationships and reflects cultural understandings, inviting discussion on the impact of both human-animal bonds and evolving youth language in our social fabric.

Presenters: Kyle Dailor, Kara Guetersloh

Sponsor: Dr. Sara Frank

Location: PAC 118

Debating to Learn: Reflections on Four Years of Competitive Debate as a Communication Laboratory

Debate Captain Aaron Brown and National Parliamentary Debate Association All-American Emma McIlhargie discuss the ins and outs of competitive debate, why they chose to compete, and the wide-reaching applications of their debate education. The two will discuss a round from their recent competition at the National Parliamentary Tournament of Excellence to ground this discussion in a more practical context.

Presenters: Aaron Brown, Emma McIlhargie

Sponsor: Brent Nicholson

Location: PAC 116

Microplastic Exposure and Its Influence on Boldness and Social Behaviour in Fish

McKendree Honors Program

The presenter will discuss how microplastics influence boldness and social behaviour in fish. Background, methods, and analysis will be provided.

Presenters: Isobelle Hobbs

Sponsor: Dr. Michael Louison

Location: PAC 115

The Social Media Dilemma

The three presenters will each share their unique perspectives on the question, "Is the evolving machine of social media a positive or negative influence on consumer behavior?" Their compelling presentations will encourage viewers to reflect on their own views and consider the broader impact of social media on our society today.

Presenters: Millie Crittenden, Olivia Fuller, and Mike Milesi

Sponsor: Dr. Allie Helfrich

Location: PAC 114

Below is a list of live presentations.

Catalyst Contributors Reading

The student editors of Catalyst will present and introduce this year's edition of Catalyst, McKendree's student-run literary and art magazine. Student contributors will read their literary work and present their visual art.

Presenters: Elizabeth Bocock, Madison Bonner, Jorden Eaton, Jasmine Gage, Emily Smith, and Taylor Turner

Sponsor: Dr. Jenny Mueller

Location: PAC 222