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K-State Today

May 8, 2015

Six human ecology seniors complete honors projects

Submitted by Jane P. Marshall

Six graduating seniors in the College of Human Ecology completed honors projects and will be recognized at award ceremonies on Friday, May 15, in the K-State Student Union.

An honors project is a focused investigation into a problem or topic chosen by the student. With guidance from a faculty adviser, the student reviews the literature, develops a research question or topic, collects data and writes a report, according to Shawna Jordan, assistant dean for student support.

The following students, their topics and their mentors will be recognized:

Samantha Claassen, human nutrition and dietetics, with mentorship from Ric Rosenkranz, associate professor in human nutrition, completed her honors project "Nutrition and Physical Activity Challenges for Aging Populations in the Rural Whitewater/Potwin Community."

Dani Dobratz, human nutrition, with mentorship from Tanda Kidd, associate professor in human nutrition,  completed her honors project "You Are What You Eat."

Caysi Gatts, family studies and human services, worked on the project "A Framework for Understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder as a Chronic Illness." Briana Nelson Goff, Family studies and human services professor, served as her mentor.

Melissa Montgomery, interior design, completed her project with Bryan Orthel, assistant professor in interior design, as her mentor. Her thesis is "Biophilic Design: Benefits Explored Through Human Ecology."

Abby Reynolds, communication sciences and disorders, worked on the project "Dynamic Assessment of Word Learning Strategies with a Child with ASD." Deb Burnett, assistant professor in communication sciences and disorders, was her mentor for the project.

Jessica Spencer, athletic training, completed her honors project "Traumatic Brain Injuries: Reliability of Concussion Testing and Effects of Multiple Concussions in Athletes," which emphasizes the consequences of head injuries in athletes. Her mentor was Shawna Jordan, assistant professor and director of the athletic training program.