2017 Department Sessions
12:15-1:45 p.m. | Abstracts for student presentations are listed after this table.
Art – Cyrus M. Running Gallery and Olin 207
Event #1: 2017 Senior Art Exhibition Opening and Awards Ceremony
The Senior Art Exhibition celebrates those graduating in May 2017 with an art, art education, graphic design or art history major. The
exhibition showcases selections of our graduates’ strongest work created during their artistic careers at Concordia. We officially open
the show and announce the winners of the following awards: Patron Prize, Graphic Design Prize, Best in Show, and three Merit
Awards. Students - MacKenzie Aguirre, Ashley Aubitz, Jack Hinz, Ekke Hyvonen, Sidney Johnson, Emelene Otto, Gavin Patrick,
Chiana Welsch, Bethany Stiles, Helena Langr, Ruth Peterson, Shelby Coulter, Mackenzie Hoffmann, Brianna Lasserre, Megan
Marsolek, Mikaelah Marty, Kassondra Ptak, Alexandra Traynor, Medora Frei, Jacqueline Caughey, Shiyang Feng.
Event #2: Conversations with Invited Alumna Jennifer Mills ‘07
We invite an exemplary alumna of our art program to join us for lunch and conversation. She will share with our current majors and
minors stories about her times studying and making art here at Concordia and beyond and answer questions from our students
about graduate school, teaching art, and more. Jennifer Mills (07) - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert; Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me
Biology – KCC Morrie Jones A
Panel and Discussion with Cobber Alumnae working in Research: Join the Biology Department in welcoming back to campus
four Cobber alumnae working in various fields of research. These women have a wealth of information to share about applying for
and attending graduate school. In addition, they will share their experiences working in agroscience industry, creating a biomedical
start-up company, conducting bench science, running a core facility, conducting clinical research, and heading up biosafety office at
a university. Whether you are planning to attend grad school, medical school, or work directly after you graduate, the experiences
these women will share will be valuable to you! All are welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be provided during the panel.
Attendees are invited to join the panellists for lunch in Anderson.
Classical Studies – KCC Morrie Jones C-D
Research Presentations by Senior Classical Studies and Heritage Museum Studies Majors: Students Layne Cole, Melissa
Thurn, and Mario Williams will share their research in this session. See below for abstracts.
CSTA – Lab Theatre
CSTA Honors and Awards Ceremony: This session will include departmental awards and our Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society
induction ceremony.
English – KCC Centrum
English Department Lunch and Award Ceremony: Jessica Runck, a 2006 graduate with an English Writing and Theatre Arts
double major and History minor, will speak about her life in LA as a writer and actor. We will announce this year’s English Honors
students as well as the recipient of the English Summer Research Grant.
History – King Intercultural Center
History Honor Society Induction Ceremony: Distinguished students will be inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, the National History
Honor Society. The Induction Ceremony will be followed by a buffet.
Mathematics – Grant Center 031
Mathematics in the City: Two student groups will present work based on operations research projects they completed for the
Moorhead Police Department and for Concordia's Registrar's Office, respectively. Student presenters are Ellen Kinney, Megan
Marsolek, Katrina Teskey, Erin Andeweg,and Josiah Kohlmeyer. See below for abstracts.
Music – Christiansen Recital Hall
Alumna Kristi Fullerton Presents "Respectable Woman: Modernizing the Classic Operatic Plot": In a typical operatic plot, one
may often find the iconic love triangle, usually two characters competing for the love of a third. “Respectable Woman” exploits that
plot by taking it a step further than most popular operas have gone. This piece carries heavy undertones of current issues relating to
the stigma surrounding gender stereotypes and sexual identity. Because of the themes my librettist and I chose to incorporate into
the work, many logistical issues came to light as well as assumptions about the content and connections all involved had to the
thematic materials. As an artist, musician, and composer, I find it necessary for my work to be driven by the ideas I want to portray,
be they large scale social issues or simple poetry. “Respectable Woman” is just the beginning of a long line of works that I hope to be
both striking and beautiful in and of their own nature no matter the challenges presented.
Nutrition, and Dietetics – Old Main 131
"Unlocking the Mystery of the Dietetic Internship" What is D & D Matching? What is DICAS?: Nutrition faculty members will
provide an explanation of the requirements for a dietetic internship after graduation and the application process. All juniors in
food/nutrition/dietetics are encouraged to attend.
Philosophy – Bishop Whipple 144
Thinking About Evil: This semester, the students in the Senior Seminar Course have been looking into recent debates over the
legitimacy and utility over use of the concept, evil, in philosophical, moral, social/political, and psychological inquiries. The students in
the course will first offer an overview of debates between "evil skeptics" and "evil revivalists" and then report on their individual
research projects into particular applications of the concept, evil, in philosophical discussions. Student presenters: Adam Kessler Biopolitical Evils in an Era of Mass Media; Hannah Kulus - Diabolical Humor: Voltaire and Bernstein's Candide as Satirical Response
to Logic; Amanda Burton - Defining Evil: The Paradox of Systemic Injustice and Individual Responsibility; Rebecca Ekert - Fatal
Women: A Feminist Philosophy of the Femme Fatale; Katrina Teskey - Evil and the Question of Memory; Katrina Teskey Forgiveness Through a Historical and Linear Remembering
Physics – Grant Center 114
Sigma Pi Sigma Induction and Alumnus Dr. Casey DeRoo ‘11: This year we will induct 3 new members into the
society. Following the induction ceremony, we will have a special presentation by Dr. Casey DeRoo who recently earned his Ph.D. in
Astrophysics from the University of Iowa and has taken a position at the Harvard Smithsonian Observatory. Dr. DeRoo will be
speaking about his experiences since leaving Concordia.
Psychology – Old Main 332
Psi Chi Induction Ceremony, Alumnus Andrew Schramm, and Al Bartz Endowed Research: The psychology department will
hold a Psi Chi Induction ceremony to celebrate the students accepted into the international honor society in psychology. The
induction ceremony will be followed by alumni remarks by Andrew Schramm, M.A. Andrew graduated from Concordia in 2009 with
honors in psychology. He is currently a fourth-year Ph.D. student in clinical-community psychology at the University of South
Carolina. In this session, Andrew will describe his experience with research at Concordia and how it has served him since
graduating. He will also describe his current research activity and share some reflections on his journey that he hopes will be helpful
for attendees as they try to make the most out of their time at Concordia and plan for their future. Following Andrew will be a student
presentation of research completed last summer under the supervision of a psychology faculty member. This summer research was
partially funded by the Al Bartz Research Endowment Award. Student Presenters: Brett Hettenbaugh and Ciara Duffy-Gideon –
"Diocese of Crookston Faith Development Assessment Program". See below for abstract.
Religion – KCC Morrie Jones B
Celebration of Religion Majors’ Scholarship: Graduating Religion majors will describe the work they did in the Senior
Research Seminar (Religion 410); those students who have received honors will be highlighted.
Social Work – Old Main 331
Lessons from the Field: Field placement and seminar are considered the capstone experience for a social work major. The
process of securing a placement and navigating the professional waters of an agency are both challenging and rewarding. This
transformative semester offers great opportunity for growth professionally and personally. Senior Social Work students currently
engaged in their field placement will present on lessons they learned through the process of placement exploration, the incorporation
of the core curriculum in their agency setting, their personal and professional growth, as well as the transition from student to
professional roles. Undergraduate Social Work majors are encouraged to attend to gain understanding of this capstone
experience. Lunch will be served so an RSVP to Laurie Dahley is needed to insure accurate count for the meal. An E-vite will be
sent to all those who are currently listed as majors with RSVP component enclosed.
World Languages and Cultures – Olson Forum 137, 139
Two panels - one in English (OF 137), one in Spanish (OF 139). Student Presenters: Naomi Self, Prashansha Maharjan, Anna
Dovre, Matthew Johnson, Derek Hanson, Taylor Strelow, Kayla Dostal, Teresa Vanderzanden. See below for abstracts.
DEPARTMENT SESSIONS | ABSTRACTS
Classical Studies | KCC Morrie Jones C-D
"The Open-Air Museum: Curation and Conservation of Archaeological Sites and Structures"
Layne Cole
The purpose of this project is to explore new ideas for the long-term preservation, visitation, and study of excavated and exposed
archaeological sites. I propose doing so by adapting and applying newly outlined curation strategies and theories employed primarily by
art, history, and science museums to suit the multiple instances in which archaeological sites occur. Curatorial methods ranging from
standard didactic text panels and informational brochures to interactive technological elements and virtual reality have been explored to
propose methodologies for providing enlightening, accessible, and site-specific information to visitors. These methodologies are applied
to archaeological areas including Fiesole, Morgantina, the Domus Aurea, the Forum Romanum, and Trajan’s Markets (the Museo dei Fori
Imperiali) based on my own observations while on site in the fall of 2016. An overarching theme of this project is the importance of
making heritage and archaeological sites available and accessible to the public while at the same time ensuring the site itself is protected.
It is easily observed that structures which remain in use undergo frequent maintenance and remain well preserved, while those that are
uninhabited quickly fall into disrepair. Each day exposed yet uninhabited archaeological sites are weathered by the unchecked elements.
By instituting curatorial methods at archaeological sites, these exterior historical areas could begin to be brought into the museum world,
thus ensuring their conservation for future generations.
"The Last Days of Pompeian Wall Paintings: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Conservation Measures at Pompeii of the
Ancient Frescoes"
Melissa Thurn
The Pompeii Archaeological site continues to be one of Italy’s top heritage sites, drawing in millions of visitors every year. People from all
over traverse the site of the once buried city and marvel at the ancient wall paintings that remain in situ, However, in 2012 UNESCO
declared the site to be in a state of emergency due to the lack of proper conservation and care. Many of the buildings and the magnificent
frescoes were crumbling into further ruin with irreplaceable damage. UNESCO threatened to remove Pompeii from its list of world
heritage sites if immediate action was not taken. This came as a massive embarrassment to Italy as their heritage sites are not only a
source of pride, but also a driving force of their tourism based economy. “The Great Pompeii Project” was launched with funding by the
European Union in order to reverse the second fall of Pompeii with emphasis placed on the conservation of wall paintings. The particular
issues afflicting the conservation of wall paintings will be examined as well as the failures of previous conservation attempts. Then new
solutions will be proposed that are archaeologically ethical with minimal drawbacks, as well as recommendations for other roman wall
paintings that have recently been unearthed at new sites lest they fall into the same state of neglect. It is crucial to conserve these wall
paintings with adequate conservation methodology before they are lost forever as they provide a unique glimpse into the past and
maintain Italy’s cultural heritage.
"Pliny II the Hero"
Mario Williams
In Epistula 6.20, Pliny the Younger recounts his escape from the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius at the age of 17. He also writes about his uncle,
Piny the Elder’s mission to rescue the people of Pompeii, and how he met his tragic end in Epistula 6.16. Nicholas Jones (2001) makes
the reasonable assertion, “No sympathetic reader could reasonably expect, especially under the unprecedented and trying circumstances
of the eruption, for this adolescent to match the performance of a mature and seasoned public servant” (46). Yet it is clear, from Pliny’s
account, that he himself does try to match his uncle’s performance, and that he feels he did not live up to his uncle’s example. He makes
this clear in the beginning of 6.20 when he is hesitant to tell Tacitus about his escape. Jones later points out, “there is a quiet heroism of
the author of the Letters” (48). I would make the point more strongly, that his actions are in line with the heroic pattern. He seems to be
developing his heroic identity in the same pattern as the way the heroes in the legends, myths, and folklore developed theirs. He performs
daring deeds and overcomes insuperable odds in his youth; he defeats a monster, which was personified as a volcano; and his heroic
skill comes from a divine parent, the famous Pliny the Elder.
Mathematics | Grant Center 031
“Maximizing Weekends Off for Moorhead Police Officers”
Ellen Kinney, Megan Marsolek, and Katrina Teskey
In Fall 2016, Lt. Carey of the Moorhead Police Department contacted the Concordia Department of Mathematics. He was wondering
whether there was a mathematical way of creating duty schedules that give officers more weekends off while maintaining coverage
requirements and respecting union rules. We are currently in the final stages of providing schedules that do just this. In this talk, we will
discuss how one can translate rules such as "We want officers to receive every other weekend off, if possible," into mathematical
expressions.
“Designing a Class Schedule Recommendation Engine”
Erin Andeweg and Josiah Kohlmeyer
Registering for classes the summer before one's freshman year can be a confusing and time-consuming process: incoming students may
know what their academic goals are, but they may not know exactly which classes will get them started on the right track. This summer,
Concordia's registrar's office is going to combine its expertise, expectations set by academic departments, and data from a new student
interest survey to provide preliminary Fall 2017 schedules to incoming students. In this talk, we discuss a mathematical model and
computer program which will automate and optimize parts of this process that were previously done manually, freeing up time for the
registrar's staff to review individual schedules and to handle more nuanced questions from incoming freshmen, such as those involving
athletics, music ensembles, transfer credits, and the like.
Psychology | Old Main 332
"Diocese of Crookston Faith Development Assessment Program"
Brett Hettenbaugh, Ciara Duffy-Gideon
Research in recent decades has shown that increasing numbers of young adults and adolescents are disaffiliating from religious
organizations. This study examined religious and spiritual attitudes among adolescent Catholics from a number of parishes across an
entire Catholic diocese. Previous research has investigated prayer and worship practice, attitudes towards religious organizations and
activities and spiritual well-being. This study investigated these variables in light of participants' belief in a personal relationship with God.
From the 288 valid surveys, regression analysis revealed that personal prayer, denominational participation, and parish denominational
demonstration were significant predictors of students' degree of personal relationship with God.
World Languages & Cultures |English Panel| Olson Forum 137
“The Horror that Made Heroines of Housewives”
Naomi Self
The struggle of the Madres de la Plaza de Mayo to obtain human rights for their missing children will endure in Argentina’s history as a
story of undeniable strength. Faced with the grotesque mistreatment of their loved ones, these women chose to persevere throughout
years of opposition that threatened not only their safety, but their lives and the lives of their children, Los Desaparecidos. Through
research on questions of gender roles, maternal love, and political voice I have analyzed the intentions of these women to act as they did,
the influence these women had on the societal roles in Argentina and its prolonged effect on the Argentinian people. By discussing these
aspects of this movement, I’ve evaluated the personal and societal transformation that occurred as a result. Through a discussion that
explores all the possible intentions for the actions that affected transformation in Argentine society, this paper explains the irreversible
and unavoidable changes on the societal perception of women through an unforgettable tragedy.
"Stereotypical Media Representation of Latino Women in the United States"
Prashansha Maharjan
This paper analyzes the various ways Latino women are depicted in the American media in the United States, which is often misinformed
or based on stereotypes and not on empirical evidence or serious research. Immigrant women from different Latin American countries are
often underrepresented in media and when they are represented, they are repeatedly portrayed as either objects of sex appeal or
sources of humor. The struggles and history of Latino women that led them to be successful is tainted by the negative media messages
that are sent out to society. These negative media messages result in everyday discrimination and prejudice that is almost impossible to
escape. Stories of Latino women and their success need to be circulated in media so that they can inspire other women and break the
chain of discrimination created by stereotypes and misrepresentation.
“Examining Foreign Medical Aid in Francophone Africa from Postcolonial Perspective”
Anna Dovre
A significant aspect of the study of Francophone regions is the understanding of the role that colonization has played, and continues to
play, within those spaces. I will use postcolonial theory to illuminate the ways foreign medical aid has been a major stage upon which
colonial structures of oppression have played out in Francophone Africa. The film Le Grand Blanc de Lambarene (1995) will serve as a
lens to consider the role of racism and orientalism in colonial medical care in Sub-saharan Africa. I will compare this to modern foreign
medical aid provided by Médecins sans Frontières, who are seeking to reframe medical aid by using it to empower local healthcare
providers.
“Can bullying of ugly ducklings be stopped altogether?”
Matthew Johnson
Why do kids like to bully other kids in school? Does it make them feel powerful? Can it be stopped? Will it ever be eradicated from our
society? Bullying has been around since the dawn of time. Almost every place you go in our world you will find both those who bully as
well as those who are bullied. It has never vanished, yet evolves with the changes of society. In 1800 the bullying was more physical than
it is now. Well-known people in history, like Hans Christian Andersen, experienced bullying in school. Today bullying has expanded from
the sphere of physical space and time into the world of cyberspace with the easy access we now have to the internet via computers and
phones. The tale of “The Ugly Duckling” shows how bullying has existed in society for generations. It shows the effects bullying has on
the one who is considered the outcast of society. But it also shows how good influences of others can counteract the negative effects of
bullying. Many studies show how and why bullying happens. They also show the effects bullying has on both children and adults. The
studies also provide details about anti-bullying programs. Yet, the question remains, does this mean bullying will be stopped such that
there is no longer a need for tales like “The Ugly Duckling?”
World Languages & Cultures |Spanish Panel| Olson Forum 139
“Colombian-US relations in the XIX and XX century”
Derek Hanson
When the United States won its independence from England in 1776 a lot of countries in Latin America dreamed of their own
independence from Spain. They looked towards the United States with the hope that one day, they would be free as well. It would take
the Republic of Gran Colombia thirty-four more years to win their independence from Spain. However, when they proclaimed their
independence, the United States was one of the first countries that extended diplomatic recognition to their new government. The United
States even made a promise to protect Gran Colombia and the other countries in Latin America from the future colonization by European
powers and promised to prohibit the Europeans from meddling in their governmental affairs. However, was this too good to be true?
While Colombia benefitted from their relationship and treaty with the United States in the nineteenth century, they experienced a lot of
pain, suffering, and death in the first half of the twentieth century as the United States’ government and businesses took advantage of
their relationship and intervened to benefit themselves.
“The Soldaderas and the Mexican Revolution”
Taylor Strelow
The Mexican Revolution was one of the most important events in Mexican history. During this extremely revolutionary time, many people
carved their place into history with their contributions to the fight, but some were left behind. One group of people who have yet to
receive full recognition for their important contributions are the women of the Mexican Revolution. This paper explores 3 sides to this
omission of women from Mexican history. First, the roles of women during the Mexican Revolution are explained, especially in regards to
las soldaderas, the women soldiers. Second, the ways in which the women were excluded from history, whether complete omission from
books, to incorrect stereotypes, are explored. Finally, the future of the image of “la soldadera” is explored with context on how the
women of the Mexican Revolution are currently remembered and represented in forms such as art, literature, and music.
“Comparing and Contrasting Management Styles in Anglo-Saxon and Latin American Countries”
Kayla Dostal
In a world that is becoming more globalized every day, companies from all over have begun to take advantage of the opportunities that
arise from doing business in countries other than their own. However, problems in business arise when management fails to take into
consideration the cultural differences that other countries may have. Culture plays a distinct role in management and understanding the
culture of the country in which one does business is crucial. The difference in culture and management in Anglo-Saxon and Latin
American cultures is becoming increasingly prevalent as North American companies see the advantages of opening branches in Central
and South America. In this research, I explain in depth the differences in Anglo-Saxon and Latin American culture and how in turn it
affects business practices. The purpose of this research is for listeners to gain awareness about how culture plays a role on international
business.
“El revólver” by Pardo Bazán
Teresa Vanderzanden