Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Part of the Academic Excellence SeriesA CelebrAtion of University reCognition And reseArCh

May 1, 2014

Honors ProgramSenior Presentations

Past France Allison Honors Scholars

France Allison Scholars

France Allison Senior Scholarships were created

to provide enhanced Honors educational

opportunities. Under the guiding principles of

leadership, professional enrichment and high-

quality undergraduate research, students enrich

their Honors education.

Each semester, Honors seniors are selected

based on the quality of their capstone project

presentations. Projects are judged by faculty

moderators and Honors alumni judges. The

$500 scholarship awards are intended to

support graduate education and career entry.

France Allison Senior Scholarships have

established a tradition of excellence in Honors

education at Clarion University.

Chris Allison & Jane France

Rhianon BradyRegina Finelli

Melissa McCleary

Miranda MeaseAmanda Turnbull

2010-2011Peter BaschnagelCassie A. BowerRebekah Eakin

Heather A. Hyde

Deanne R. KhazraieDanielle Pugliese

Deonna Catherine Soergel

2009-2010Elizabeth Donovan

Rich EckertTheresa Anne Eshenbaugh

Paul KuberryCorey McCullough

Brian J. Sigmund Jr.Heather L. SimpsonAndrew ThompsonAlexandra Wesley

Benjamin R. HoffmanJessica Kline

Dustin M. McElhattanKathryn D. Miesko

Erich R. SpessardVanessa M. WheatleyChristopher L. Wike

Andrew S. Zachar

Kate EhrensbergerMegan Laskowski

James LaurelliBrittany Ochs

2008-2009

2007-2008

2011-2012

Crystal E. Miller Kathleen Ellis

2012-2013

Kirsten BareNatalie Bond

Madeline Kopper

John OwensStephanie Warner

2013-2014

Senior Honors Presentations Academic Year: 2013-2014

Dylan Alu

Jordan Awan

Matthew Bauer

Stephanie Biedka

Rebecca Burkot

Michelle Clay

Kathleen Coen

Rachel Cooper

Ann Deibert

Sara Dickson

Sharona Dorsey

Brittany Fritz

Cassandra Hartman

Emily Jonas

Tyler Kitzmiller

Anthony Knapp

Ashley Kraft

Luke Lutkus

Sharon McFadden

Jessie McFarland

Miya McKnight

Samantha Myler

Anna Olszewski

Chandni Patel

Amanda Platt

Justin Salada

Kristin Sariano

Gabrielle Scrofano

Kara Smith

Alaina Swartzwelder

Samra Tursunovic

Carlson Library

Founders Hall

Opening Ceremony Program

Thursday, May 1, 20146:30 p.m.

Center for Academic Excellence

Welcome and Introductions ............................................................................................Madeline Kopper............................................................................................................... Honors Program Student Director

Remarks ............................................................................................................................... Kirsten Bare....................................................................................................... President, Student Honors Association

................................................................................................................................................................Keynote Remarks ..........................................................................................................Dr. Ron Nowaczyk............................................................................... Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Service Award Presentations ....................................................... Stephanie Warner & Kristen Burkholder......................................................................................................................................... Junior Seminar

Presentation of Seniors and Faculty Advisors .................................................................. Dr. Rod Raehsler............................................................................................................Honors Program Director

Closing ..........................................................................................................................Madeline Kopper............................................................................................................... Honors Program Student Director

Seniors will be dismissed immediately following the ceremony to prepare their presentations. Please remain seated until they have been dismissed.

Join us for presentations in Founders Hall immediately following the opening ceremony.

Senior Presentations 2013-2014

Session 1: 104 Founders HallEducation

Faculty Moderator: Dr. Ralph Leary Department of English

Faculty Moderator (Rehearsal): Professor Joseph Croskey Honors Department

Honors Alumni Judges: Dani Emings, ’11

Student Moderators: Kurt Weres

Feel the Beat: Using Enabling Texts to Create Relevance Among High School Students

By Ann Deibert

Improving Reading Fluency and Comprehension in an English Language Learner

By Samra Tursunovic

Community Based Research in the Classroom: Using Local Resources to Benefit Students and Communities

By Anthony Knapp

Strategies for Teaching Social Skills to Children with Autism Spectrum DisordersBy Sharona Dorsey

Senior Presentations 2013-2014

Session 2: 105 Founders HallBusiness

Faculty Moderator: Dr. Laurie Occhipinti Department of Anthropology, Geography and Earth Science

Faculty Moderator (Rehearsal): Dr. Rod Raehsler Department of Economics

Honors Alumni Judges: Joslyn Dechant ’11

Student Moderators: Michael Bauer

Consumers’ Perceptions Regarding Sustainable Certifications

By Kristin Sariano

Any Analysis of Volunteer Incentives: Comparing Incentives of Different Age Gropus and Organizational Types

By Cassandra Hartman

Accounting for Derivatives 101: An Introduction to Hedge Accounting Within the Energy Industry

By Brittany Fritz

The Effects and Uses of Social Media in Modern AccountingBy Sharon McFadden

Senior Presentations 2013-2014

Session 3: 114 Founders HallBiology and Preprofessional Programs

Faculty Moderator: Dr. Steve Harris Department of Biology

Faculty Moderator (Rehearsal): Dr. Craig Scott Department of Biology

Honors Alumni Judges: Dustin McEhattan, ’09, ’11

Student Moderators: Erin Lynch

Quantification Comparison of Biofilm Formation in Whole Male and Female Urine Samples

By Chandni Patel

Dreamless ExpectationsBy Jessie McFarland

Elucidation of the Unfolded Protein Response During Times of Cellular Stress

By Stephanie Biedka

Identification of Pathways Utilized by Isolates in Human Urinary Tract Infections

By Miya McKnight

Senior Presentations 2013-2014

Session 4: 116 Founders HallNatural and Social Sciences

Faculty Moderator: Dr. Adam Roberts Department of Mathmatics

Faculty Moderator (Rehearsal): Dr. Paul Woodburne Department of Economics

Honors Alumni Judges: Victoria Reid ’05

Student Moderators: Emily Carey

Detection of Falling Evaporating Bodies of the Star System 49 Ceti

By Dylan Alu

The Effects of Peer Tutoring on Students’ Perception of Writing

By Emily Jonas

A Statistical Examination of Shifting Enrollment and Tuition Rates at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

By Samantha Myler

Testing Purity of Nanodiamonds Using Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy

By Luke Lutkus

A Search for Primordial Black HolesBy Rachel Cooper

Dylan R. Alu

Detection of Falling Evaporating Bodies of the Star System 49 Ceti

This research project sought to identify falling evaporating bodies in the circumstellar disk of the young star 49 Ceti through the analysis of absorption spectrum of the Ca-III K and Na-I lines. Utilizing the 82-inch Telescope at the McDonald Observatory, Texas data was gathered on 10 consecutive nights in the red and blue spectrum of the star 49 Ceti. By comparing the extracted data with the standard absorption patterns of the Ca-II K lines and the Na-I D lines it is possible to detect variations in the absorption spectrum of the star.

This project takes an in-depth look into the current understand-ing of planetary formation theory, detection of the extra solar objects, research into the analogous star Beta Pictoris, and how these topics relate and enhance our understanding of falling evaporating bodies.

Dr. Sharon Montgomery, PhysicsFaculty Advisor

Dylan R. Alu is from Pipersville, Pa. He has a major in physics, with a concentration in astrophysics, as well as a major in mathematics and a minor in honors and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. During his undergraduate degree, Dylan was inducted into the National Honors Society. He also received grants for multiple research projects and had the privilege of presenting research at a PASSHE Undergraduate Research Conference. Having conquered a rigorous dual major, as well as a minor in the Honors program, Dylan plans to pursue a career that incorporates the skills learned in both majors and eventually pursue a master’s and/or a doctorate in physics or engineering.

Stephanie Biedka

Elucidation of the Unfolded Protein Response During Times of Cellular Stress

The aggregation of aberrant proteins is the cause of many diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cystic fibrosis and antitrypsin deficiency. In diseases such as these, an accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates can overwhelm the cell, leading it to undergo apoptosis. Proteins destined for secretion are folded within the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). Misfolded proteins are degraded via ER-Associated Degradation (ERAD), a constitutive protein quality control pathway. In situations when ERAD becomes overwhelmed, such as during the above diseases, the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) is initiated to aid ERAD. The UPR is activated via HAC1 mRNA splicing, resulting in the translation of the transcription factor HAC1p, which binds to a UPR-Element (UPRE) present in the promoter region of some UPR target genes. A putative UPRE was identified which seems to be similar to the canonical UPRE in terms of Hac1p binding and upregulation of UPR target genes during times of cellular stress.

Dr. Craig Scott, BiologyFaculty Advisor

Stephanie Biedka is from Pulaski, Pa. She has a major in molecular biology and biotechnology and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Stephanie maintained a 4.0 QPA and was on the Dean’s List every semester. She also joined several honor societies, including Phi Kappa Phi, Beta Beta Beta and Phi Eta Sigma. Upon graduation, Stephanie plans to join the Department of Biological Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University to work toward her doctorate.

We present a search for primordial black holes carried out by the VERITAS telescope array using the imaging atmospheric Cherenkov technique. These theoretical objects are believed to have been created shortly after the Big Bang by a variety of mechanisms and should be able to take on a wide range of masses. Because of theoretically proposed Hawking radiation, primordial black holes of gamma rays that should be given off during these evaporations.

We have acquired 1,037 hours of data during the 2011-2012 season, which we have narrowed down to 500 hours of the very best data. We then used the EventDisplay software package to analyze the data. We also present a background estimation as a means of determining the significance of our findings. Upon comparing our data to the artificially created background estimation, we find that there are significantly more coincident events in our data than are in our background estimation. We plan to perform further analysis to determine if our data is truly showing an excess of coincident events or if there is some coding error causing an artificially high number of coincident events.

Rachel Cooper

A Search for Primordial Black Holes

Dr. Sharon Montgomery, PhysicsFaculty Advisor

Rachel Cooper is from Boyers, Pa. She has a major in mathematics and astrophysics and a minor in honors and will receive her Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation. While completing her degree, Rachel received a Board of Governors full tuition scholarship. She presented at two different meetings of the American Astronomical Society, as well as the Science Honors Colloquium. She is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honors Society, as well as the Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honors Society. Upon graduation, Rachel plans to attend graduate degree to earn her Ph.D. in Astrophysics.

Ann Deibert

Feel the Beat: Using Enabling Texts to Create Relevance Among High School Students

This project was an exploration into how relevant enabling texts can be used to engage high school students with their primary content.

As a result of the switch to the Common Core State Standards, which emphasize inter-disciplinary connections, secondary education curriculum was analyzed for laces where enabling texts could help reach students. Enabling texts across disciplines specifically music and song lyrics, were discussed and evaluated.

Methodologies of how to approach enabling texts within curriculum was defined along with instructional techniques to supplement the text delivery. A tried unit plan for an English Language Arts classroom was presented and critiqued in order to test the assertions presented on enabling texts and their efficiency at reaching and engaging students in the classroom daily.

Dr. Joseph Bodziock, EnglishFaculty Advisor

Ann Deibert is from York, Pa. She has a major in secondary education-English with a minor in honors and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Ann was a member of the Clarion University women’s basketball team, as well as a member of Student Senate. She received several scholarships, including the Tippin Athletic Scholarship, the Foundation Scholarship and the E. James and Patricia M. Kelley Honors Athletic Scholarship. Ann also participated in the PASSHE Honors Study Abroad program in Oxford, England, in 2012. Upon graduation, Ann plans to teach high school English and coach girl’s basketball.

Sharona Dorsey

Strategies for Teaching Social Skills to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Students with disabilities, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), often have difficulty with social skills, from interpersonal (such as emergencies and conflict management) to environmental (including group speaking and following social routines). Because of this difficulty, parents and educators over the years have created several strategies to help teach these students the necessary and appropriate social responses.

The goal of this presentation is to review some of the more widely used methods and report on each method’s effectiveness. The strategies evaluated are use of explicit instruction and problem solving strategies (specifically, social stories and bibliotherapy). This presentation will discuss which strategy is the most effective, and if combining strategies is an effective tool to teach social skills to students with disabilities.

Dr. Sally Sentner, Special Education, Rehabilitation and Human ServicesFaculty Advisor

Sharona Dorsey is from Mechanicsburg, Pa. She has a major in early childhood education, special education and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Sharona was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi education honorary and was on the Dean’s list for five semesters. Upon graduation, Sharona plans to acquire a teaching placement (preferable kindergarten through third grade) and, in time, return for her master’s degree, possibly in reading intervention.

Brittany Fritz

Accounting for Derivatives 101: An Introduction to Hege Accounting Within the Energy Industry

Many companies, especially firms dealing with price-volative commodities, use derivatives and hedging activites to manage risk and, in many cases, to manage earning. In the energy industry, this practice is commonplace.

This presentation will provide an introduction to hedge accounting for Clarion University accounting students, as hedging activities have many accounting implications that are complex and initially difficult to understand.

Dr. Thomas Oliver, AccountancyFaculty Advisor

Brittany Fritz is from Emmaus, Pa. She has a major in accounting, a minor in international business and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Brittany received the Gary L. Merz Scholarship (accounting), as well as the Institute of Management Accountants CMA Scholarship. She served as the vice president of Beta Gamma Sigma Honorary Business Society and was the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants student ambassador to Clarion University. Upon graduating, Brittany will be working for Deliotte as part of their Philadelphia audit practice. She also plans to take parts of the CPA exam in this summer in order to become a certified public accountant.

Given the current economic situation, organizations have a greater need for volunteers, however, the number of volunteers are not increasing at a rate that is fast enough to supply this manpower. Therefore, it has become even more important for organizations to understand how best to recruit volunteers.

I have conducted a survey that analyzes the differences and similarities between the incentives of young adults and older volunteers. This study will also determine if different organizational types such as health care, environmental sustainability or youth education have volunteers who share the same incentives. This information can help organizations see who their target volunteers are and how best to market to them.

Cassandra Hartman

An Analysis of Volunteer Incentives: Comparing Incentives of Different Age Groups and Organizational Types

Dr. Rod Raehsler, EconomicsFaculty Advisor

Cassandra Hartman is from Silver Gate, Mont. She has a major in business economics and management, as well as minors in political science and honors and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Cassandra was selected for several honoraries, including the International Business Honor Society of Beta Gamma Sigma, Omicron Delta Epsilon, National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Sigma Alpha and Phi Eta Sigma. She also received several scholarships including the Honors Foundation Scholarship, Kroh Family Business Scholarship, Dr. Ackerman Scholarship, Economics Department Scholarship and the Administrative Science Foundation Scholarship. Cassandra was also selected by Clarion University to attend the 2012 Presidential Conventions through The Washington Center. Upon graduation, she plans to attend Temple University, where she was selected for a full-tuition graduate assistantship position, to pursue a Masters in Tourism and Hospitality Management.

Emily Aileen Jonas is from Saegertown, Pa. She has a major is psychology and a minor in honors and will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Emily was inducted into Psi Chi and served as president and outreach chair of this honor society. She also received several scholarships, including Psychology Department Endowed Scholarship, Honors Foundation Scholarship and David Smith Honors Housing Scholarship. Emily worked as a consultant in The Writing Center for three years and presentated preliminary research at the 2013 East Central Writing Centers Association (ECWCA) conference. Upon graduation, Emily plans to pursue a career teaching English abroad and attend graduate school in the future for educational psychology.

Emily Aileen Jonas

The Effects of Peer Tutoring on Students’ Perception of Writing

Although there is been little research conducted about the psychological effects of peer tutoring, especially in the area of writing, this research used two students to examine students’ perceptions after a writing consultation in three specific areas: ownership toward their writing, amount of learning experienced and overall quality of their paper.

Both a survey and an experiment were used to obtain quantitative and qualitiative data. Specifically, the type of tutoring style (direct and indirect) and the type of writing sample (research and personal) were examined through a post– consultation survey in the first study. These two variables were controlled and manipulated during an experimental writing consultation in the second study. The results of these studies were assessed to obtain a better understanding of how to create a better experience for students in future consultations.

Dr. Marite Rodriguez Haynes, PsychologyFaculty Advisor

Anthony Knapp is from Brookville, Pa. He has a major in secondary education social studies and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Anthony received the Educational Testing Service Recognition of Excellence Award on the Praxis II and wrote lesson plans for the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Governor’s Initiative. He presented at the Pennsylvania Council for the Social Studies Conference, as well as the National Student Teaching and Supervision Conference. He received an honors scholarship, as well as the Chuck and Sonja Leach Leadership Scholarship. Anthony has been on the Dean’s List every semester since Fall 2010 and upon graduation, plans to find a teaching job.

Anthony (Tony) Knapp

Community Based Research in the Classroom: Using Local Resources to Benefit Students and Communities

This presentation discusses how social studies teachers can use local resources to encourage collaboration between schools, local historical societies and Clarion University. Through my research, I have been able to collect data on how using these local connections to relate history to students on a more personal level increases student engagement in the classroom.

Jesse Haight, EducationFaculty Advisor

Luke Lutkus

Testing Purity of Nanodiamonds Using Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy

The primary method of creating nanodiamonds is detonation synthesis, while cost effective; it does yield an impure product. Amorphous carbon and metal particles from the walls of the reaction vessel are created along with the nanodiamonds from detonation synthesis.

In this experiment the purity of the nanodiamonds is tested by using conductive AFM to separate the sp3 insulation nanodiamonds from the sp2 conducting amorphous carbon impurities and conductive highly ordered pyrolitic graphite (HOPG) substrate.

Dr. Vasudeva Rao Aravind, PhysicsFaculty Advisor

Luke Lutkus is from Imperial, Pa. He has a major in chemistry, a minor in mathematics and a minor in honors and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Luke received the Board of Govenors Scholarship (2010-2014). He also was coauthor of “Adhesion in Nanodiamond Particles,” which was presented at the American Physical Society’s national conference and was also a presenter at the Slippery Rock PASSHE STEM conference. Upon graduation, Luke plans to pursue a doctorate in material chemistry at Portland State University.

Sharon McFadden

The Effects and Uses of Social Media in Modern Accounting

Does social media have a place in the world of accounting? If so, how does it fit?

With the growth of technology and social media impacting the business world like never before, these are questions worth asking. The purpose of this project is to examine the role of social media in small accounting businesses. In particular, I will analyze how social media avenues such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more have affected the way that the accounting industry reaches and relates to clients and colleagues. Topics to be examined will also include how firms are taking advantage of these opportunities, the usage of social media in the accounting industry as compared to other industries, and what type of barriers may be preventing accountants from utilizing these tools

Dr. Kevin Roth, Clarion SBDC; Cindy Nellis, Clarion SBDCFaculty Advisors

Sharon McFadden is from Ludlow, Pa. She has a major in accounting and a minor in honors and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While completing her undergraduate degree, Sharon was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma and Beta Gamma Sigma. She also served as the honors program student director during her sophomore year and for the past two years, she has enjoyed being a part of the Clarion Small Business Development Center, helping small business clients to start, prosper and grow. Sharon is currently evaluating employment opportunities to pursue after graduation.

Jessie McFarland

Dreamless Expectations

In our society today we are often times lead to believe that we must follow a set path. A path that involves college and a “smart” career, one with opportunity and prestige. After this comes marriage and children and then the fun part-juggling both and succeeding at everything!

It is difficult to be an individual when the expectations created only produce conformity. This presentation will hopefully make you think about your dreams again and realize that creating your own path can be even more wonderful than following the foot-steps of others.

Dr. Suzanne Boyden, BiologyFaculty Advisor

Jessica McFarland is from Wheatland, Pa. She has a major in biology and a minor in honors and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While completing her undergraduate degree, Jessie received the NAMU President Scholarship and the Marjorie Tippin Leadership Award. Upon graduation, Jessie will be taking a year off to enjoy her academic freedom before attending Arizona State University to complete a doctorate degree in animal behavior.

Miya McKnight

Identification of Pathways Utilized by Isolates in Human Urinary Tract Infections

Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Escherichia coli are opportunistic Gram negative bacteria that are known to cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and are classified based on their ability to ferment sugars such as glucose, lactose and galactose. These organisms are expected to follow the same fermentation pathway for breaking down all three types of sugars as lactose in a disaccharide composed of one glucose molecule and one galactose molecule and galactose can be converted to glucose. However, previous findings have illustrated that this is not always true for patient-derived UTI coliforms.

My hypothesis is that patient-derived coliforms will conduct different fermentation pathways when fed lactose or galactose instead of glucose. The fermentation pathways will be determined by using the Methyl Red (MR) and Vogues-Proskauer tests. The results of this experiment may be used to further understand and exploit a weakness in bacterial metabolism for treatment of UTIs.

Dr. Doug Smith, Biology; Dr. William Barnes, BiologyFaculty Advisors

Miya McKnight is from McClure, Pa. She has a major in biology with minors in chemistry, psychology and honors, with a concentration in pre-medicine. She will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While completing her undergraduate degree, Miya studied abroad at Vilnius University in Vilnius, Luthuania. She worked as a secretarial assistant in the biology office and served as a Biology Peer Mentor. She collaborated on several research projects and received several awards, including the Board of Governors Scholarship, International Scholars Award, W.E.B DuBois Lamp of Knowledge Award, Wellings-Nicholson Scholarship and the Partners in Learning Scholarship from Lewistown Hospital. Upon graduation, Miya will attend the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine to become a osteopathic physician.

Samantha Myler

A Statistical Examination of Shifting Enrollment and Tuition Rates at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

This research will examine the changing tuition and enrollment rates at Clarion University. They will be examined through testing the relationship between, and the elasticity’s of, data on tuition rates, fees, interest rates, and income level as each relates to university enrollment.

Dr. Paul Woodburne, EconomicsFaculty Advisor

Smanatha Myler is from Plum, Pa. She has a major in business finance and economics and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While completing her undergraduate degree, Samantha was a member of the Student Honors Association and has held the position of president in Kappa Kappa Psi since April 2012. She is also a member of The International Honor Society of Beta Gamma Sigma. Upon graduation, she hopes to work for a large corporation in the banking industry as a financial analyst.

Chandni Patel

Quantification Comparison of Biofilm Formation in Whole Male and Female Urine Samples

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are uropathogenic bacterial infections and are common occurrences, whereby six million hospital visits are due to UTIs. Out of these visits, the femail population accounts for four out of five of all reported cases, while cases of UTIs in males account for the remaining fifth. In addition, the risk for recurrent UTI infections within one year has been measured at 27-44 percent, despite antibiotic treat-ment. When bacteria have prime conditions for growth, such as in the urinary tract, the communities of their growth are referred to as biofilms. Biofilms allow the bacterial strains to grow uncontrollably and make UTI treatment substantially difficult.

The purpose of this study is to image biofilms in general while also attempting to quantify biofilm formation in male and female urine samples by use of a scanning electron microscope and to compare the results.

Dr. Doug Smith, BiologyFaculty Advisor

Chandni Patel is from Brookville, Pa. She has a major in molecular biology/biotechnology and a minor in honors and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Chandni was president of the Health Career Club, conducted research in Smith Labs and had an externship at the University of Texas at Houston Medical School. She also received the Honors Foundation Scholarship and was a CA in Reinhard Villages for three years. Upon graduation, Chandni will be pursuing medical school.

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by request

Kristin Sariano

Consumers’ Perceptions Regarding Sustainable Certifications

This Honors Research Study deals with corporate sustainability. After reviewing the relevant literature, I decided to focus on the effective sustainable certification has on consumers’ perceptions of companies.

By conducting an online questionnaire, the goal of the study is to determine whether or not consumers want companies to advertise their sustainable certifications and if a competitive advantage is given to companies who obtain a sustainable certification. Also, this study will provide some insight on channels of advertising consumers’ prefer as well as sustainability’s effect on employer attractiveness.

Dr. Miguel Olivas-Lujan, Administrative ScienceFaculty Advisor

Kristin Sariano is from Halifax, Pa. She has a major in accounting and management and a minor in honors and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While completing her undergraduate degree, Kristin was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and was an undergraduate research grant recipient. Upon graduation, Kristin is planning on going back to school to obtain a graduate degree.

Samra Tursunovic

Improving Reading Fluency and Comprehension in an English Language Learner

English Language Learners (ELLs) struggle with fluency and comprehension when reading a second language-especially when compared to peers for whom English is a first language.

In this project, I tutored a middle school student whose first language was Serbian-Croatian. We worked on reading fluency, reading comprehension and vocabulary development over a six week period. Instructional materials included both narrative and expository material. Data was collected in the form of pre-test and post-test measures as well as daily curriculum-based measurements. The results from the post test showed gains in all areas of instruction.

Dr. Sally Sentner, Special Education, Rehabilitation and Human ServicesFaculty Advisor

Samra Tursunovic is from Erie, Pa. She has a dual major in early childhood and special education with a minor in honors and will receive a Bachelor of Science degree. While completing her undergraduate degree, Samra was a treasurer of the Student Honors Association, a member of Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, Student Council for Exceptional Children and Clarion Students Educating Young Children. She was on the Dean’s List for five semesters and earned several scholarships, including the Mochnick Honors Scholarship, Foundation Leadership Scholarship and the Education Foundation Scholarship. Upon graduation, Samra plans to obtain either an early childhood or special education teaching position. She hopes to have a classroom of her own to motivate and inspire. She also plans to pursue further education in English second language studies in the near future.

Acknowledgments

The Honors Program is supported by the generous contribution from Honors faculty, alumni, and friends. We gratefully acknowledge the contributions to our students and their scholarship.

Clarion University Foundation, Inc.Jane France and Chris Allison

The Mochnick FamilySigma Tau Gamma Fraternity

The Class of 1961E. James and Patricia M. Kelley Honors/Athletics Scholarship

Belle Carson Randall Honors Endowment for EducationPennsylvania General Energy Co., LLC

Robindale Energy Services

Honors Alumni and Board of Directors

Dustin McElhattan ’09, ChairJennifer Feicht ’96

Joseph Fiedor ’03, ’08, ’10Kristin Hallagan ’06

Jarah Heeter ’03Luke Martin ’09

Katelynn Muth ’09Victoria Reid ’05

Hannah Turner ’08

Clarion University Administration2013-2014

Dr. Karen Whitney, PresidentDr. Ronald Nowaczyk, Provost

Dr. James C. Foster, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and SciencesRay Puller, Acting Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Services

Dr. Phillip Frese, Dean of the College of Business AdministrationDr. Christopher M. Reber, Executive Dean Venango Campus

Clarion University Trustees2013-2014

James L. Kifer, ChairpersonRimersburg, Pa.

Joy Dunbar, Vice ChairpersonState College, Pa.

Milissa S. Bauer, SecretaryClarion, Pa.

Dr. Syed R. Ali-ZaidiShippenville, Pa.

Susanne A. BurnsShippenville, Pa.

The Honorable R. Lee JamesOil City, Pa.

The Honorable Donna OberlanderClarion, Pa.

Randy SeitzFranklin, Pa.

Howard H. Shreckengost, Acting Vice ChairpersonNew Bethlehem, Pa.

Jeffrey J. SzumigaleErie, Pa.

Darren YoungMillerstown, Pa.

Honors Faculty 2013-2014

Professor James R. Lyle, Communication DepartmentDr. Kevin M. Stemmler, English Department

Dr. Andrew Turner, Biology DepartmentDr. Anthony J. Vega, AGES

Dr. Laurie A. Occhipinti, AGESProfessor Joseph Croskey, Academic Enrichment

Dr. Vicky A. Clark, Art Department

Honors Council 2013-2014

Dr. Rod Raehsler, Honors Director/Economics DepartmentJoseph Croskey, Assistant Honors Program Director

Megan L. Laird, Program ManagerMatthew Brigida, Finance Department

Dr. Paul Woodburne, Economics DepartmentDr. Jon A. Beal, Mathematics Department

James R. Lyle, Communication DepartmentDr. Andrew M. Turner, Biology DepartmentDr. Robert M. Frakes, History Department

Dr. Christopher J. McCarrick, English DepartmentDr. Douglas M. Smith, Biology DepartmentDr. Pamela J. Gent, Education Department

Darla Ausel, Learning and TechnologyDr. Ellen A. Foster, English Department, Venango College

Dean William D. Bailey, Enrollment ManagementMichelle L. Kealey-Harbaugh, Residence Life Services

Dean Terry S. Latour, University LibrariesMadeline Kopper, Honors Student Director

Natalie Bond, Honors Recruitment Coordinator

Class Representatives2013-2014

Senior: Kirsten SarianoSenior: Sharona Dorsey

Junior: Kirsten BareJunior: Madeline Kopper

Sophomore: Brandon YuskoFreshman: Wade Reichelderfer

Freshman: Kaitlynn SassFreshman: Erin Lynch

Student Honors Association 2013-2014

President: Kristen BareVice President: Brandon Yusko

Secretary: Lauren PellegrinoTreasurer: Scott Anderson

Parliamentarian: Tonya Shaffer

Committee Chairs:

Program and Community Development: Megan BearyCommunity Service: Gideon Woelfel, Therese Holzapfel

Fundraising: Stephanie LightnerStudent Relations: Sydney Buffington, Katie Hogg

Special thanks to those assisting us in this evening’s arrangements. Special thanks to The Student Honors Association, Events & Scheduling Office & PAGES.

Thanks to those who helped in planning and organizing the Senior Presentations.

www.clarion.edu/academicexcellence6

it is the policy of Clarion University of Pennsylvania that there shall be equal opportunity in all of its educational programs, services, and benefits, and there shall be no discrimination with regard to a student’s or prospective student’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age,

sexual orientation/affection, gender identity, veteran status or other classifications that are protected under local, state, and federal laws. direct equal opportunity inquiries to Assistant to the President for social equity, Clarion University of Pennsylvania,

207 Carrier Administration building, Clarion, PA 16214-1232, 814-393-2109.