Students present research findings at IUPUI
December 15, 2005
KOKOMO, Ind.—IU Kokomo students presented posters and roundtable talks summarizing recent academic investigations during the Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference (IUURC) December 5 in Indianapolis.
The five students participating in poster sessions displayed work developed under 2005 IU URSI (Undergraduate Research Summer Institute) grants. They included
• Colin Kenny of Peru, studying in the University Division, mentored by Assistant Professor of Public Affairs Karl Besel, Ph.D. “Catholic NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) and the Irish Family Court.”
Kenny's study examines qualitatively and quantitatively how the Catholic Church has evolved from a direct influencer of public policy in Ireland to an influential supporter of that country's family court system.
• Stephenie Jones of Kokomo, chemistry major, mentored by Professor of Chemistry Kasem K. Kasem, Ph.D., with assistance by Sara Manges. “Electrochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Some Photo-active Aniline-based Semiconducting Polymers.”
Jones prepared and tested thin films of poly 2-amino pyrrole to determine if the materials have the predictable, reliable electronic properties necessary for mass production as semiconductors.
• Edwin Faunce of Kokomo, communication arts major, mentored by Lecturer in Music Cindy Ison and Honors Program Director Robert Strikwerda, Ph.D. “All That Glitters Might Be Glass.”
Faunce studied technical and symbolic sides of three distinct glass art works, including a piece from the Greentown, Ind., glass factory.
• Kevin Bogard of Kokomo, Associate of Science in Nursing major, mentored by Associate Professor of Nursing Roberta Schweitzer, Ph.D. “Living with Heart Failure: Finding the Inner Strength.”
Having interviewed patients with congestive heart failure, Bogard suggested resources and ideas by which nurses can improve quality of life for individuals faced with this chronic illness.
• John Proffitt of Wabash, psychology major, mentored by Lecturer in English Karla Farmer Stouse. “Journey to a Place Called Self.”
Proffitt's study of cultural differences and self-fulfillment is based on his experience of walking 500 miles on the Appalachian Trail in spring and summer 2005.
• Brandy Kizer of Logansport, studying in the University Division, and Ron Withers, a general studies major from Peru, took part in IUURC roundtable discussions covering ongoing research. Mentored by Assistant Professor of Public Affairs Karl Besel, Ph.D., Kizer presented findings titled “Louisville and Indianapolis: A Study in Differential Economic Development Strategy.” Her presentation outlined various strategies employed to attract and secure businesses to the cities of Louisville and Indianapolis, paying special attention tax credits offered to in Kentucky versus tax abatements in Indiana.
Mentored by Robert Strikwerda, Withers presented his paper “The Flood of 1913: Dealing with Disaster in Peru, Ind.” Drawing from federal records and newspaper and eyewitness accounts of a 1913 flood that overwhelmed the city of Peru, Withers identified ways in which private citizens and government agencies dealt with natural disasters a century ago. He compared those methods to those of modern day response.
Timothy Sehr, IU Kokomo's assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs, serves on the 2005-2006 conference steering committee. For more information on student research and honors programming at IU Kokomo, contact Robert Strikwerda at rstrikwe@iuk.edu or (765) 455-9266.
