UCO College of Liberal Arts Student Symposium 2023 Program

March 23, 2023

The University of Central Oklahoma’s College of Liberal Arts hosts the 35th Annual Symposium on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, offering students the opportunity to present their exemplary writing and research and to participate in other academic and creative activities. This long-standing tradition is one of the most important and visible celebrations of the creativity and scholarship of our students.

 

Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
with Featured Roundtable Discussion from 3:30-5 p.m.

 

ALL DAY

CLA Department/School Information Tables

Main North-South Atrium

 

Medieval Society

Associated dept or program: Humanities and Philosophy

Format: Poster and table display

Presenters: Victoria Birney, Adam Bukacek, William Cagle, Kendra Dittmer, Wiley Falk, Li Gause, Aliessia Jones, Ash King, Bailey Magee, Zane Powell, Ahren Schlick, Emily Valdez

Moderators: Drs. Jessica Appleby, Reid Weber

Location: LAS Upper-Level atrium

 

Museum Studies Exhibition Project – Telling History Through Objects

Associated dept or program: Museum Studies

Format: Poster and table display

Supervised by Dr. Katrina Lacher, Ms. Tiffany Phelps, Ms. Heidi Vaughn, with students from the Museum Studies program

Location – in situ, LAS first floor student area

 

MPA Capstone Poster Presentations

Associated dept or program: Political Science

Format: Poster display

Presenters:

Joshua M. Minner, “Shots Fired: Decoding the Sequencing of Officer-Involved Shootings in Oklahoma City”

Zachary Hope, “Stuck in the Present: Barriers to Electric Vehicle Adoption in Oklahoma”
Michelle Blasquez, “Conflicts of the Canopy: Community Participation and the Politics of Trees

Tammy Johnson, “Paving the Pathway: The Numerous Community Impacts of Sidewalks in Small Towns”

Debby Applegate, “Potential for Poisoned Water: Policy and Funding Surrounding Cyberterrorism Attack in Oldsmar, Florida”

Stephen Hochstetler, “Asymmetric Warfare: Applying Offense/Defense Theory to the U.S. National Security Strategy”

Robbie Day, “Failure to Inform: Online Availability of Accommodation Information at Public Colleges and Universities in Oklahoma”

Rikki Claunch, “Post COVID-19 Threats to Private Colleges”

Shadrach Fofanah, “Empowering Urban Humanitarian Efforts: Disaster Governance in Sierra Leone”

Hillary Bogus, “Trees in the Hood: Urban Food Forest, a Tool for Communities to Fight Food Insecurities”

Mikala Lane Brown, “Meeting the Medical Emergency Needs of Oklahoma City Residents: The Dilemma of Response Times Between First-Responder Services”

Tre Miller, “2060 or Bust: Examining Oklahoma City’s Water Conservation Efforts since 2012″
James Boykin, “Nonprofit Fight for Inmate Rehabilitation in the State of Oklahoma”

Kate Holmes, “Woodrow Wilson and the F-Word: Feminism and Its Significance to Public Administration”

Chelsea Ratterman, “Altered State: Crisis Management at Oklahoma Higher Education Institutions in the COVID Era”

Moderator: Dr. Brett Sharp

Location: LAS 274

 

Queenship: Histories of Appropriation, Representation, and Response

Associated dept or program: English

Format: Poster and table display

Presenters: Ashlyn Bradford, Scout Castoe, Wendell Davis, Kendra Dittmer, Aubrey Henshaw

Lex Herren, Heaven Howard-Miles, Adrienne Kipps-Spanagel, Rylie Koning, Kat Lewis, Aubs Linder, Emmaline Metoyer, Lyndie Murillo, Stephie Pinero, Foster Rarick, Colten Siler, Robyn Thornton, Blair Wallace, Chloe Whittington, Maya Williams, Keili Wilson, Sydney Wright

Moderator: Dr. Rebecca Quoss-Moore

Location: LAS 275

 

School of Criminal Justice Crime Scene Exercise (9–11 a.m. only)

Associated dept or program: School of Criminal

Moderator: Dr. Don Mizell

Location: LAN 228

 

9–9:50 a.m.

 

Political Music Short Film Fest

Associated dept or program: Political Science

Format: Film screening and Q&A

Presenters and film titles:

Shauna Shaji, Nate Withers, Bennett Baldwin, Micah Dye, Cambry May, and Makayla Briand – “Earth Song”

Ryan Glazier, Luke Farris, Jesse O’Brien, Henry Le, Zhusup Oskonbai – “The Sex Offender Shuffle”

Derrick Denney, McKenzie Waters, Sara Barakat, and Destiny Roberts – “No Masks! No Vaccines!”

Aditya Kar, Phillip Pata, Jessica Rodriquez, Silvia De Lara, Gunnar Poos, and Ryan Richards – “Sexism at the Workplace”

Charlie Baum-Sehon – “Chisholm Creek”

Brandi Weathers, Miranda Hagg, Alec Davidson, Charity Brakefield, Kendra McAuliffe, Marly Fitzgerald, and Breanna Rodrigues – “Man in the Mirror”

Adrienne Nobles and Deirdre Steiner – “Music and Politics”

Aiden Ferguson, Hunter Delozier, Nate Howard, Jewelia Lahmeyer, Rex Floyd, Sarah Mapes – “Welfare”

Ellyn Snow, Ben Kwadu, Zena Ahmed, Barrett Haemker, Caitlyn Morton, Ashanti Randall, Dylan Carpenter – “This is America”

Moderator: Dr. Brett Sharp

Location: Liberal Arts Lecture Hall, LAS L01

 

Euthanasia

Associated dept or program: Humanities and Philosophy

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Jess Davis, Theo Livingstone

Moderator: Dr. Eva Dadlez

Location: LAN 226

 

History of Mexico

Associated dept or program: History and Geography

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Meghan Nguyen, “A Cultural Analysis of Folk Culture and the National Identity of the People of Mexico Through the Lens of Baile Folklórico”

Kody Larsen, “The Torreón Massacre, chinomexicanos and the Development of antichinismo Sentiment”

Kathryn Donelson, “The Zapatista Rebellion and the Fight for Indigenous Rights”

Moderator: Dr. Maria Diaz Montejo

Location: LAS 273

 

Ethical Concerns and Childhood

Associated dept or program: Sociology, Gerontology & SAS

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Emma Nickles, “JUUL and Ethical Concerns”

Milena Rundine, “The Effects of Cannabis on Adolescents’ Brain Development”

Moderator: Joe Hight

Location: LAS 264

 

Debates in New Testament Scholarship

Associated dept or program: Humanities and Philosophy

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Brandon Allen, Kris Hocker

Moderator: Dr. Jerry Green

Location: LAN 222

 

Modern East Asian Literature as World Literature: Manga, K-Dramas, Fiction

Associated dept or program: English

Format: Discussion panel

Presenters: Monica Flores, Jessica Jones, Sierra Bratcher

Moderator: Dr. Shun Kiang

Location: LAS 265

 

History Capstone Seminar

Associated dept or program: History and Geography

Format: Discussion panel

Presenters: Meredith Maker, Logan Ray, Emma Stewart, Trista Wilmot, Ethan Tartsah, Chad Griffith, Tristan Riley, Triston Ewbank, Lexi Lutsey

Moderator: Dr. Patricia Loughlin
Location: LAS L04

 

“Woke” and Cancel Culture in American Politics

Associated dept or program: Political Science; sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Grace Wray, Payden Henderson, Preston Hopkins

Moderator: Dr. Jan Hardt

Location: LAS 263

 

 

10–10:50 a.m.

 

American Art and Architecture

Associated dept or program: Humanities and Philosophy

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Jaedyn Long, “Frederic Remington and His Image of the West”

Rylan Vanlandingham, “Capturing the Future: The Effect of Romantic Landscapes and the Camera on the development of national parks and the Conservation Movement”

Moderator: Dr. James Mock

Location: LAN 224

 

Killing and Letting Die

Associated dept or program: Humanities and Philosophy

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Associated dept or program: Humanities and Philosophy

Presenters: Dani Lawrence, Bailey Pelletier

Moderator: Dr. Eva Dadlez

Location: LAN 226

 

Gendered Power: Supernatural Realms of Female Control in the Medieval and Early Modern World

Associated dept or program: Humanities and Philosophy

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Foster Rarick, Trista Wilmot, Victoria Birney

Moderator: Dr. Reid Weber

Location: LAN 222

 

Politics and Society: How (Not) to Make a Difference

Associated dept or program: History and Geography; Political Science

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Kassidy Ferrell, “Social Media: Origin, Effects, Future, and How to Make a Difference”

Kaitlyn Mannis, “Orientalism in the Writings of Gertrude Bell: A Graphic History”

Skyler Rhoades, “Violence and Patriotism”

Moderator: Joe Hight

Location: LAS 273

 

Student Perspectives on Faculty and Staff Representation

Associated dept or program: The Good Trouble Task Force

Format: Discussion panel

Presenters: Monica Flores, Brandon Westfall, Alex Rackley, Grace Wray, David Singleton, Adria Sechrist, Regino Adkins

Moderators: Dr. Shun Kiang and Dr. Kenneth Vaughan

Location: LAS 265

 

Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks: Literary Criticism and Digital Media

Associated dept or program: English

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Stephie Pinero, “The Grey Area of BL Fanfiction”

Lyndie Murillo, “Color Theory in Lore Olympus”

Robyn Thornton, “Gays in Space: Queer Futures and Gender Destabilization in The Penumbra Podcast and The Strange Case of Starship Iris”

Moderator: Dr. Megan Cox

Location: LAN 221

 

Rethinking the Sublime: Creative Writing Capstone Students Rethink the Everyday

Associated dept or program: English

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Kristen Davis, Macy Huston, Tori Crow, Emma McCarthey, Joshua Lloyd

Moderator: Dr. Toby Wray

Location: LAN 135

 

History Graduate Research Seminar

Associated dept or program: History and Geography

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

John Sadler, “Students and Soldiers: American Responses to the Vietnam War”

Noelle Buffo, “Semantics Matter: A Closer Look at Anti-Slavery propaganda in Britain, 1787-1807”

Meghan Nguyen, “Federal Education Reform in the US after 1950: The Impact of Student Success Across Socioeconomic Divides and Ethnicity”

Ashlan Johnson, “Religion and Magic in Roman Egypt”

Moderator: Dr. Patricia Loughlin

Location: LAS L04

 

Absolute Journal

Associated dept or program: English (OCCC)

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Oliver Kramp

Moderator: Dr. Tiffany Larson

Location: LAN 121

 

Queering Reality through Resisting Normality: Applications of Neurodivergence and Ethical Non-Monogamy

Associated dept or program: The Center at UCO

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Grace Payne, Eden Bass, Tylea Johnson

Moderator: Dr. Leeda Copley

Location: LAS L05

 

Breaking the Binary: Combating Traditional Ideals of Gender

Associated dept or program: The Center at UCO

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Jacob Reavis, “Toxic Masculinity’s Role in the Hindutva Movement, 1940s-Present”

Anamarie Lopez, “Global Gender Identities Beyond the Binary”

Merrick Sloane, “Queerly Beloved and Phantom Mechanics: A Duality of Queer Resistance”

Moderator: Dr. Lindsey Churchill

Location: LAS 264

 

So, What is ‘Writing’ Anyway?: Ethical Considerations of ChatGPT

Associated dept or program: English

Format: Individual presentations and discussion

Presenters:
Krish Patel, “An Inquiry into ChatGPT”
Mauro Vieyra, “Definition & Analysis of a Writing Bot”
Madison Antkowiak, “An Honest Review of the New AI Program Chat GPT”
Mikayla Navarro, “The Growth of Artificial Intelligence
Moderator: Dr. Jeaneen Canfield

Location: LAS L03

 

The Serial Killer Room 1

Associated dept or program: Criminal Justice

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Corbin Babb, “Roy Norris and Lawrence Bittaker – The Toolbox Killers”

Fleur Eggink, “The Unsolved Long Island Serial Murders”

Jessica Hartline, “Murders at Fort Hood”

Moderator: Dr. Shawna Cleary

Location: LAS 263

 

 

11–11:50 a.m.

 

The Serial Killer Room 2

Associated dept or program: Criminal Justice

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Jose Ibarra, “Henry Lee Lucas”

Natalie Marshall, “Richard Ramirez”

Karen Tarbutton, “Arthur Shawcross”

Moderator: Dr. Shawna Cleary

Location: LAS 263

 

Finding Acceptance in the Ozarks: A Sneak Peek of the Documentary Featuring Arkansas’ Lesbian Community of the 70’s and 80’s

Associated dept or program: The Center at UCO

Format: Film screening and discussion

Presenters: Alexis McKernan, Emma Stewart, Mikele Smith, Maya Fitch

Moderator: Dr. Leeda Copley

Location: LAS 273

 

Intersectional Identities at a Crossroads

Associated dept or program: The Center at UCO

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Sarah Wilson, “Intersectional Inequities: Native American Pregnancy and Postpartum Care in the United States”

Maya Williams, “Power Within a Broken System: An Intersectional Examination of the Central Oklahoma Special Education System”

Keryeé Morton, “Saving Black Women from Medicine”

Moderator: Dr. Jessica Appleby

Location: LAS 265

 

Sex and Gender: Past and Present Contributions

Associated dept or program: The Center at UCO

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Oliver Campbell, “Gender Diversity of Masculine Presenting Individuals in the Old West”

Emily Martinez, “Sexual Education Transformation Among Latinx Community”

Y Jara Gonzalez, “Sexual Health Education Among Greek Life Organizations”

Moderator: Dr. Eric Huneke

Location: LAN 221

 

The Effects of Censorship and The New Abortion Laws

Associated dept or program: The Center at UCO

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Paige Jones, Lucian Nelson, Reagan Young

Moderator: Dr. Lindsey Churchill

Location: LAS L05

 

Media Ethics

Associated dept or program: Mass Communication

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Jarred Madeiros, “Should Curt Schilling Be in The Hall Of Fame?”

Chris Meyer, “Hurricane Katrina: A Media Disaster for the Southeastern United States”

Kendall Walton, “Ethical Diversity Conflicts in News Reporting: Transgender Misrepresentation”

Moderator: Joe Hight

Location: LAS L04

 

Media, Gender, and Mental Health

Associated dept or program: Mass Communications; Sociology, Gerontology & SAS

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Gracen Boulware, “Reactive Respect”

Elijah Lott, “Rationalities of Media Discussing Transgender Health and Society”

Angel Stark, “Exploitation of Mental Disorders in the Media”

Moderator: Dr. Kenneth Vaughan

Location: LAN 135

 

Literary Analysis and the Human

Associated dept or program: English, Modern Languages

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Kasandra Barraza Lechuga, “La esclavitud en la novela María de Jorge Isaacs”

Chloe Whittington, “Hero to Zero: A Deconstruction of Apu Ollantay and La Chanson de Roland”

Moderator: Amalia Gómez-Wilkinson

Location: LAN 121

 

Mental Health, Treatment and Patient Rights

Associated dept or program: Sociology, Gerontology & SAS; History and Geography; Humanities and Philosophy

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Seth Baca, “Treating Anxiety and Depression in People 12-18 Years of Age”

Elizabeth Wallace, “Pathological and Compulsive Liars in Moral Agency”

Nicholas Wooden, “Changing the Human Condition: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”

Moderator: Dr. Theresa Vaughan

Location: LAN 226

 

ChatGPT and other AI in an Upper Division Writing Classroom

Associated dept or program: English

Format: Discussion panel with Q&A

Students: Andrew Blaschke, Adrienne Kipps-Spanagel, Mason Lucero

Moderator: Dr. Laura Dumin

Location: LAS L03

 

 

Noon–12:50 p.m.

Ryan RedCorn: Keynote Address

Location: Liberal Arts Lecture Hall, LAS L01

 

 

1:00-1:50 p.m.

 

Ecocritical Perspectives on Media

Associated dept or program: English

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Students:

Ainsley Clifton, “Into the Unknown: An Ecophobic Analysis of James Dashner’s Novel The Maze Runner”

Lyndie Murillo, “Ecocritism and Stardew Valley”

Mason Lucero, “The Evolution of Nature in the Dystopia of Altered Carbon”

Sterling Haws, “Evil Dead: The Demonic Side of Nature”

Moderator: Dr. Kate Huber

Location: LAN 221

 

Methods of Affirmation: The Medicalization, Methods and Legislation of Trans Bodies

Associated dept or program: The Center at UCO

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Tix Greymoore, Philana McHenry, Grey Stone

Moderator: Dr. Jessica Appleby

Location: LAN 121

 

Education, Gender and Literature

Associated dept or program: English; Sociology, Gerontology & SAS

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Elijah Lott, “The Lavender Epidemic in Modern Public Schools”

Skyler Rhoades, “Limited Education in America”

Moderator: Dr. Vanessa Bentley

Location: LAN 222

 

A Creative Writing Reading

Associated dept or program: English

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Foster Rarick, “Of the Holy Body”

Heidi Reust, “Patience”

Patty Sifuentes, “42”

Gavin Smith, “Born to Hula”

Moderator: Dr. Toby Wray

Location: LAS 273

 

Comparative Views of Justice and Geography

Associated dept or program: English; History and Geography; Sociology, Gerontology & SAS

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Nahlela Dema Cyndi, “Solar Glass Windows”

Natasha Holliday, “Multi-disciplinarian View of Protection”

Brooke Lefler, “Mapping History: Charting Change with Clio, Excel, DataWrapper, and Google Maps”

Nelson Nwoye, “A Criminal Justice comparison between the United States and Nigeria”

Moderator: Dr. Brett Sharp

Location: LAN 224

 

Conspiracy Theories

Associated dept or program: Political Science

Format: Discussion panel

Presenters: Jacob Christian, Gabrielle Bartley, and Reece Carmen

Moderator: Dr. Loren Gatch

Location: LAS 264

 

How Constraints Influence Creativity in Music, Literature, and Media

Associated dept or program: Modern Languages

Format: Discussion panel

Presenters: Mikah Herper, Macy Huston, Jasie Hutcherson, Nhi Le, Kayana Rhoton-Brakeen, Bailey Williams

Moderator: Dr. Catherine Webster

Location: LAS 263

 

Pueblos, Pottery and People: A Reflection on Our Field Study to New Mexico

Associated dept or program: History and Geography

Format: Discussion panel

Presenters: Alexis McKernan, Maria Raygoza, Y Jara-Gonzalez, Reagan Young, Loren Breen, Ethan Tartsah

Moderator: Dr. Patricia Loughlin

Location: LAS L03

 

New Perspectives in Military and Labor History

Associated dept or program: History and Geography

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Greg Mitchell, “Allied Logistics and Command Difficulties in the European Theater of Operations, 1944-1945”

Charles Tracy, “Perspectives on General Douglas MacArthur’s Leadership during the Korean War”

Joshua LaFortune, “A Job Half-Done: The United Mine Workers’ of America Combined Benefit Fund and Congressional Failure”

Moderator: Dr. Erik Huneke

Location: LAS 265

 

Foreign Policy: China, Ukraine and Russia

Associated dept or program: History and Geography; sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Regino Adkins, Robert Marek, Gareth Morton

Moderator: Dr. Jan Hardt

Location: LAS L05

 

Intersectional Analysis of Oklahoma Legislation

Associated dept or program: The Center at UCO

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Paige Jones, Hannah Ash

Moderator: Dr. Megan Cox

Location: LAS L04

 

 

2–2:50 p.m.

 

Intersectional Identity and Compromising with the Status Quo

Associated dept or program: The Center at UCO

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Monica Hernandez, Ty Anderson, Mikayla Maiahy

Moderator: Dr. Lindsey Churchill

Location: LAS L04

 

Disability Studies and Representation

Associated dept or program: Humanities and Philosophy; Sociology, Gerontology & SAS

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Lauren Tarter, “Hero, Villain, Victim, or Fool: The Human Rights of Disability Representation in Children’s Visual Media”

Barbara Briones, “Live My Life for One Day”

Moderator: Dr. Brenda DuVerney-Chappell

Location: LAS 264

 

LGBTQ+ Rights: Where Should Oklahoma be Headed?

Associated dept or program: History and Geography; sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Reaghan Briggs, Sarah Fryer, Jennifer Nguyen

Moderator: Dr. Jan Hardt

Location: LAS 263

Sponsored by Pi Sigma Alpha

 

New Directions in Historical Research

Associated dept or program: History and Geography

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Aliessia Jones, “Good Vibes: The Creation and Development of the Electromechanical Vibrator, 1880s-1930s”

Maya Fitch, “Jewish Perspectives on Kabbalah and the Occult Revival at the Turn of the Twentieth Century”

Emily Valdez, “The Vietnam War and Folk Music: How Folk Artists Encouraged Anti-War and Anti-Draft Attitudes”

Moderator: Dr. Erik Huneke

Location: LAS 265

 

Divergent Connections- Social Media and Ethics Policy

Associated dept or program: Mass Communications

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters: Abigail Hines, Angel Stark, Brianna Jones, Lily Jones, Jennifer Meadows

Moderator: Joe Hight

Location: LAN 121

 

Learning Leadership through Scuba Diving

Associated dept or program: Leadership Minor

Format: Discussion panel

Presenters: students Lauren Berry, Ainsley Snow, Ryleigh Watkins; alumni James Limbaugh, Shane Norwood (owner, Sharky’s Scuba)

Moderator: Dr. Alyssa Provencio

Location: LAS L05

 

The Problem of Evil

Associated dept or program: Humanities and Philosophy

Format: Discussion panel

Presenters: Jonah Green, Theo Livingston, Ethan Youssef

Moderator: Dr. Jerry Green

Location: LAN 221

 

Identity and the Facets of the Self: A Poetry Reading

Associated dept or program: English

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Foster Rarick, “The Sibylline Menagerie”

Kobi Hampton, “Beautiful Black Men and Other Poems”

Kari Hampton, “Identity Through Love and Blackness”

Kaitlyn Matussak, “Prescribed Generations”

Maison Smith, “Untitled”

Moderator: Dr. Toby Wray

Location: LAS 273

 

Race, Gender and Justice

Associated dept or program: The Center at UCO, History and Geography

Format: Individual papers or presentations

Presenters:

Mikele Smith, “Studies of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women within OK

(note: interactive presentation with display)

Brandon Combs, “History of Pardos and The Future of Racial Social Mobility”

Moderator: Dr. Leeda Copley

Location: Liberal Arts Lecture Hall, LAS L01

 

 

3:30–5 p.m.

 

Featured Roundtable: “The Elephant in the Room: DEI in Oklahoma Higher Education”

Co-Sponsored by the Good Trouble Task Force

Presenters:

Tamya Cox-Touré, Executive Director, ACLU of Oklahoma
Nicole McAfee, Executive Director, Freedom Oklahoma
Sara Jane DelMonte, Director of Engagement, Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice
Liz Wallace, Director, UCO’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Moderator: Dr. Alyssa Provencio

Liberal Arts Lecutre Hall, LAS L01