The Honors Thesis is the culmination of the Honors Program, and for many students, the most significant single academic endeavor of their college career. Students complete the four-credit-hour thesis project over at least two semesters, usually their last two semesters before graduation. Students work closely with a thesis committee to plan and conduct the thesis project. The thesis topic and academic credit can be in one’s major or another area of study and must include some original research or scholarly contribution. In addition to allowing students to pursue individual academic interests, the thesis project is excellent preparation for students planning to pursue graduate studies.
Theses from 2024
Development of Specialty Histological Staining Methods for Zebrafish, Cabb Batson
Creating Immersive Worlds: Applying Scenic Design Techniques in 'Eurydice' by Sarah Ruhl, Brynlee Beams
Reducing Barriers to Education Around the World: A Systematic Framework Using the Community School Model, Isabella Bejarano
The Mathematical and Historical Significance of the Four Color Theorem, Brock Bivens
Rethinking Apologetics as an Entry Strategy for Missions in Europe, Katelyn Brown
Freesia, Abby Burlison
Stride by Stride: Assessing the Impact, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Running-Specific Prostheses, Emily Castilaw
The Evaluation of Multiple Myeloma in Immune Competent and Immune Deficient Mice Using a SAC and Herbal Treatments with Genetic Analysis, McKenzie Chavers
Characterizing Actinobacteriophage infection using an Optical Density Based Microplate Assay, Elijah Christenson
Assessing the Nutrition Knowledge of Track and Cross-Country Athletes, Emma Kathleen Conner
Black Liberation Theology in the Civil Rights Movement: Contextualizing the Works of James H. Cone, Ella Cox
Writing with Light: Analyzing the Technical and Creative Significance of Light in Photography, Sarah Dean
Rex and Root: An Original Documentary, Chase Hartsell
Pediatric Anxiety Disorders and their Accommodation in the Classrom, Olivia Hobson
The Science of Reading and the Use of Decodable Texts in the Classroom, Anna Hudson
Phoenix Rising: A Scout is Born, Seth Hunter
The Lost Story of Frank Jackson, Hayden Jackson
The Development of a New Water-Soluble Zinc Porphyrin, ZnTPP--5AP, for Photodynamic Therapy, Kaylee Johnson
Developing ZnTPP-4AB as a Potential Photodynamic Therapy Agent, Kennedy Johnson
An Analysis of Pollution in Liverpool, UK, Luke W. Lawson
Quantification of Gordonia terrae Bacteriophages using Lysate qPCR, Mikayla Long
Developing a Protocol for Bacteriophage Guided Evolution, Hannah G. Matthews
Refining the Synthesis of a Monomer Towards a Novel Wound Dressing and Designing a Clot-Testing Device, Charles M. McClain 4th
Comparing Degradation Rates of Polyesters Towards a Novel Degradable Polymer, Zach McClain
The History of Dog Training and Its Importance to Modern Day Training Techniques, Marlaina Moix
Differences in Mental Health Disorders: The Importance of Mental Health Literacy, Hannah More
Developing a Novel Succinct Synthetic Approach to the Modification of Alginate for Use in Biomedical Applications, Hope Murphy
Social Isolation-Political Domination, Charles "Trey" Nichols
A Comparative Analysis of Japan and United States School Lunch Programs, Julie Phillips
'Beauty is in the Eye of the Gazer'?: Beauty, Power, and Disability Examined Critically in Jane Eyre and Other Classic Literature, Abigail Powers
The Trial of Jesus: A Historical Look at the Jewish and Roman Trial Proceedings, Vivian Pryor
The Survivors, Abigale Ralston
The Detection of BPA in Clothing Using Fluorescence Spectrophotometry, Isabella Rushing
Progress towards Phage Stability for Possible Oral Phage Therapy, Erin Russo
A Retrospective Analysis of Police and Legal Procedure in the West Memphis Three Murders, Nathan Scolaro
Under the Sun: Songs from Ecclesiastes, Emma Kay Smith
Three Inches from Death, Hannah Smith
Tree Canopy Cover Influences Habitat Use of Breeding Birds at Jack Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Kaleigh Thomas
Characterization of Bacteriophage Infection of Gordonia Species Utilizing an Optical Density-Based Approach, Barrett Troup
Peak Aerobic Capacity and Dietary Composition are Associated with the Bioenergetic Profile of Platelets in Children, Duncan C. Troup
Synthesis of ZnTPP-IL as a Potential Photodynamic Therapy Agent, Addison White
Theses from 2023
The Effects of Light Intensity and Cell Structure on the Cultivation of Arthrospira platensis, Taylor Barnhart
The Effects of Exercise on Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Addison Bates
The Beliefs of the Oldest Fraternity, Bella Blankenship
Love, Austen, and Lewis: How the Successful and Unsuccessful Romances in Jane Austen's Novels Correspond to C.S. Lewis The Four Loves, Lauren Bridgeman
Paul and Seneca on the Immanence of God, Mason Campbell
The Effects of Differing Light Wavelengths and Gravity on, Reese Chesshir
History, Methods, and Psychology of Illustrations in Children's Literature, Kelsi Coleman
The Creation of "Blacklight", Austin Crook
The Changing Role of Women in Journalism, Caroline Derby
Developing and Marketing a Novel miRNA Lung Cancer Therapy, Elizabeth Jade Dorman
An Investigation into Autophagy in Methionine-Restricted Cancer Cells, Aiden Doss
Monitoring the Leaching of Bisphenol-A From Feminine Hygiene Products Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Madison Easley
Alif: Building a Bridge: Arabic Calligraphy and Arabic Typography in Design, Saba Esho
When Mental Health Becomes Physical, Piper Fain
Writing for Writing's Sake: An Exploration into the Process and Value of Creative Writing, Emma Firestone
Multi-proxy Analysis of Macro-Charcoal Particles and Testate Amoebae to Determine Potential Fire Events, Benjamin George
The Good Virus: Phages as the Future of Medicine, Emily Greenwell
Reasons for Stigma Surrounding Emotional Support Animals and How it Can Be Addressed, Natalie Helms
Education Opportunities for the Aspiring Aquatic Professional: A Qualitative Analysis of Experience-Based Building Blocks for Success, Hannah Hickman
How Properly Contextualized Christianity Could Benefit Japan, Benjamin Highsmith
An Investigation into the New Testament Understanding of "Israel", Ashton Hurst
The K-Wave and Its Impact on the South Korean Economy, Jessica Johnson
Retinoids and their Clinical Benefits to Treating Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, Baker Kendrick
Are We Good or Bad or Somewhere In Between?: An Original Novel, Faith Lymburner
Fearsome Critters, Alex Moore
I Don't Have a Clue: A First-Time Director's Guide by a First-Time Director, Isabella Owen
How to Become a Butterfly, Jillian Parsons
Increasing Exclusive Breastfeeding: Baby-Friendly Initiatives, Courtney Ragsdell
Short-Term Missions: Helping or Hurting?, Hannah Rossell
What We Do for Each Other: Assessing Disparity in K-12 Education Across the State of Arkansas, Noah K. Sanders
Scanning G. rubripertincta bacteriophage for host range expansion, Kallen Smith
Incorporating Bioengineered Proteins into Wound Dressings to Create a More Synergistic Environment, Joshua Spiva
Aunt Patti's Good Cooking: An Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook and Guide, Emma Starkman
Mountains in the Deep, Andy Strauss
Zebrafish Feeding and Breeding: Adapting Best Practices for Zebrafish Husbandry, Abbigale Sullins
A Modern Wound Dressing Alternative: Developing Electrospun Biodegradable Collagen Analog Scaffolds, Andrew Tarlton
Bird Diversity and Abundance in Relation to Habitat Complexity at Jack Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Grace Tidwell
From the Village to Entrepreneurial Mentality: A Transformative Path for Africa's Economic Development, Morris Tsuma
Keeping the Heart: Contemporizing the Parables of Jesus, Hannah Tullos
The Stigmatization of Eating Disorders Based on Cultures: The South vs The World, Maria Urbina Turcios
Fostering Language Development and Literacy in Children from Birth to Two Years Old, Vanessa Vives
Theses from 2022
Comparing Genetic Diversity Among Populations of Rock Sandpiper (Calidris ptilocnemis), Hyland Alfonso
Next Steps: Arkansas's Journey in the Fight Against Sex Trafficking, Maddie Bailey
The Effects of Light Intensity and Cell Structure on the Cultivation of Arthrospira platensis, Taylor Barnhart
Bacteriophages: Paving the Road for the Future of Medicine, Luke Brinkerhoff
Comparative Analysis of Drug Inclusion Techniques in Nanofiber Mats, Corinne "Cori" N. Clower
Two Peas in a Pod? An Investigation of Friendship and Personality Perception, Josephine N. Collins
English Language Learners in the General Education Classroom, Jolie Crane
How Analyzing Gene Expression in Gammaherpesviruses Leads to Advancement in Undergraduate Laboratory Courses, Rylie Davis
The Architecture of Movement, Emma Gregory
Evaluation of Artificial Sweeteners: Their Effects on Ice Cream Properties and Public Acceptance, Gwyneth Hadasa
An Oncoviral Analysis: Breaking Down the Genetic Mutations of Cancer-Causing Viruses and How They Compare with the Genetic Mutations of the Cancer They Cause, Hannah Herrington
Investigating the Impact of Enhancer Inhibition in ETO2-GLIS2 Expressing Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Dane Jester