Academic Symposium Shoutout

On April 4, Centenary University proudly presented the research and professional endeavors of 17 students during its annual Academic Symposium, held from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Students at Centenary benefit from mentorship by faculty experts in their respective fields, fostering exceptional learning experiences. The symposium featured Poster Presentations in Seay Front Parlor, Oral Presentations in Seay 307, and Honors Capstone Presentations in Seay 305, showcasing the diverse talents and achievements of our students.

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This study focuses on the flow of water from Weldon Brook to the Musconetcong River through several lakes, including Saffin Pond, Lake Shawnee, Lake Hopatcong, Lake Musconetcong, Waterloo Lakes, and Tilcon Lake, before eventually reaching the Delaware River. The water quality analysis for each individual body of water, followed by comparisons with all connected bodies, is crucial for understanding the potential impact of upstream water quality on downstream bodies. This project aims to measure and compare water quality in different bodies of water, analyze critical data such as chemical concentrations, and provide valuable information for managing and preventing pollution incidents. 

Jayden Pennella and Nicole Manton, two second year students, conducted this study based on facial symmetry and attractiveness. The study was to determine if college students and faculty members of all ages were influenced by the symmetrical faces shown compared to the model’s typical face. The conductors of the study created a Microsoft form for the participants to complete. The test included three pictures, the far-left picture showed the left symmetry of the model’s face, the far-right picture showed the right symmetry of the model’s face, and the middle picture showed the typical face the model has. The participants were then asked to select which picture they found most attractive.

This study focuses on the flow of water from Weldon Brook to the Musconetcong River through several lakes, including Saffin Pond, Lake Shawnee, Lake Hopatcong, Lake Musconetcong, Waterloo Lakes, and Tilcon Lake, before eventually reaching the Delaware River. The water quality analysis for each individual body of water, followed by comparisons with all connected bodies, is crucial for understanding the potential impact of upstream water quality on downstream bodies. This project aims to measure and compare water quality in different bodies of water, analyze critical data such as chemical concentrations, and provide valuable information for managing and preventing pollution incidents. 

Psychology and behavior analysis are relatively new and growing sciences in general. Therefore, these systems are significantly lacking in developing nations (previously referred to as third world countries) because they do not have the funding necessary to implement a new field that does not appear to be indispensable. However, the researcher recognizes the importance of this area of health care in all nations. Therefore, the researcher conducted a systematic review regarding these systems in developing nations and gathered observational data while volunteering in hospitals in Sri Lanka, a developing nation in Asia. It was concluded that developing nations may attempt to create psychological assistance but typically subject their patients to dangerous conditions, or they completely disregard this population.

For the Fall 2023 semester I worked with Patricia Mahaffey, director of International Programs, and went to study abroad at the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia. I had an amazing opportunity where I was able to work with other students and teachers from all around the world, explore a new country and those surrounding, and build new connections. I would love to share my experiences in hopes of encouraging other Centenary students to take the same chance I did. This was truly a life changing experience and I believe it is so important for me to be able to talk to others about it and share the opportunities we have as students.

My poster represents my time shadowing physical therapists at Atlantic Medical Rehabilitation in Hackettstown. I had a brief section on the site, myself and some of the case studies I had observed. It also has a section talking about some of the advantages to this site with their equipment and onsite exercise physiologist for post therapy exercise. The site has Red Cord which is bungee assisted suspension exercises for neuromuscular stimulation. My poster includes a brief overview of Atlantic Health Hospital and their impact in the field of medicine in NJ and the history/overview of the physical therapy portion of the hospital.

Incarcerated Americans are an isolated and neglected population subject to high expectations and little resources with which to reach them. In the matter of recidivism, education is the advantage many will need in order to remain free once they are released. Whether it’s GED prep, trade training, or writing skills workshops like the one I teach, the opportunity to learn is everything. It provides inmates with purpose, hope, and the chance to better themselves, but the value of correctional education is hardly recognized by those besides students behind bars. Between minimal funding, harsh policies and public perceptions, and the dire circumstances of the private prisons we become increasingly dependent on, it will take years of determined advocacy and intentional change to shift the narrative to reform the future of inmates and our country. In this presentation, I discuss my experience working as a teacher in correctional facilities and a photojournalist working with incarcerated writers, the inequities faced by inmates on a daily basis (particularly disparities in socioeconomic conditions and prejudiced policies on the basis of disability), and what can be done to remedy this dire issue.

Through a randomized controlled trial, this study investigated the impact of various exercise intensities on cortisol concentrations and mood in 159 pregnant Islander women. The Islanders were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: a relaxing outdoor walk, a brisk outdoor walk, and a control group, where participants were asked to sit. The hypotheses were that as aerobic exercise increased in intensity across treatment groups in healthy pregnant Islanders, the average blood cortisol concentrations would decrease, and the median mood scores of anger, anxiety, and depression would be significantly different. However, there was no significant difference in the mean change in cortisol concentration between the control group and the relaxing walk group ( = .01 (F(2, 153) = 0.594, p = .554)). An exploratory regression analysis combined the data from the control and relaxing walk groups, revealing a significant difference in the mean change in cortisol concentration when compared to the brisk walk group with specific baseline cortisol levels (p < .01). No significant differences were found in the median change in self-reported anger (χ2(2) = 0.363, p = .834), anxiety (χ2(2) = 0.006, p = .997), or depression (χ2(2) = 3.497, p = .174) scores across the three treatment groups.

The health outcomes of counties in New Jersey were compared to the counties level of air pollution. It was hypothesized that areas with higher levels of air pollution pose a greater risk to community’s health than counties with lower air pollution. Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic, Camden, and Essex counties consistently ranked low on health outcomes from 2013-2023. Camden and Salem consistently had higher-than-average air pollution (particulate matter) levels from 2013-2023. Air pollution was shown to be worse in some areas with worse health outcomes, however other factors also contribute to health outcomes that might have a greater impact on the communities.

This study fulfills several University-wide Service-Learning Outcomes including: Social and Community Responsibility - we partner with the United Way to provide this service to the community. The United Way offers this service in the spring during tax season. Individuals reach out to the United Way to set up appointments, we step in and our students provide the service. Local and Global Citizenship - Our students meet many different people from many different backgrounds, which forces them to step out of their bubble and see how different people live. This gives them a greater knowledge of the world around them. Integrative Learning - In the fall these students are certified by the IRS to prepare taxes and they are able to take this knowledge and immediately apply it into real life situations in the spring. This program is open to all students from Freshman to Senior level and the skills that these students learn go far beyond taxes. They learn how to talk with individuals from diverse backgrounds about their finances, which in many cases takes tactfulness and understanding. In conclusion, this study shows how the experience benefits the student in their career path: Students that have passed through this program have been able to get internships and positions in their fields, in and out of the field of accounting. In part this is because they feel more comfortable working with people from diverse backgrounds. Students feel that they can connect on some level with these individuals and gain confidence and that they can be part of a solution.

This capstone project focuses on the creation of Centenary University’s inaugural chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha), a national honor society for first- generation college students. This project aimed to provide support and resources to empower first-generation college students despite the plethora of challenges faced by these individuals, such as confusion, shame, guilt, lack of resources, and isolation. The research demonstrates that first-generation college students enroll in less- selective colleges, possess lower grade point averages, have decreased graduation rates, and obtain smaller salaries post-graduation, as compared to non-first-generation college students. The goal of this project was to create a supportive environment through the establishment of Centenary University’s chapter of Tri-Alpha, enabling first-generation college students to thrive academically, develop leadership skills, and achieve their full potential. This project contributes to the broader goal of equity, inclusivity, and belonging at Centenary University and across higher education, by ensuring all students have access to the support and resources they need to succeed.

Diversity plays a critical role in both early childhood education (ECE) and elementary education, commonly referred to as “primary education.” Existing research underscores the importance of educators incorporating restorative practices in classrooms to fully embrace and acknowledge diversity. This capstone project uses research to propose and advocate for a course aligned and consistent with Centenary University’s educational guidelines and current education courses. Titled “EDU-1001: Restorative Practices in Early and Elementary Education,” this theoretical course is designed for Education majors (pre-service teachers). A central element of this capstone is a detailed syllabus for EDU-1001, encompassing course objectives, a code of ethics, attendance policies, and recommended materials. It also outlines assignments, including projects, written tasks, and presentations, with corresponding evaluation rubrics and criteria. Beyond presenting research and data on restorative practices, this capstone highlights specific assignments from the syllabus, emphasizing their role in equipping future educators to navigate and foster diversity among young learners. Ultimately, this capstone seeks to offer a comprehensive approach to diversity education, preparing future teachers to create inclusive learning environments in their prospective classrooms. This project supports the necessity and benefits of integrating a restorative practices course into undergraduate education programs, such as Centenary University’s, through EDU-1001.

In the animal community, which includes the veterinary profession, it is a well-known theory that animals presenting with a predominantly white phenotype appear to bleed longer. Several studies exist to support the theory that phenotype affects the expression of medically important characteristics in humans, but this research has not been mirrored in animals. As such, this research study sought to prove if blood clotting time is linked to phenotypic status. There are countless studies that use clotting times to study other factors in animals. These studies serve as a template for how to conduct this research, but no other studies include each animal’s phenotype as a delineating factor. As such, the research must be performed again with phenotype in mind. A total of 8 rabbits: 4 coloured and 4 white, had their blood drawn and clotting times manually determined. The expected clotting time was 180 – 220 seconds based on a study by Pichotka & Reichel. The clotting times were then compared using a 1 tail T-test between the groups. The data was found to be statistically insignificant (p= 0.05, t (5) = 1.99), even though the white clotting time mean was 169.92 seconds longer than the coloured clotting time.

In recent times, the value and purpose of higher education has come into question not only because of the cost but also because of the rather narrow thinking that many institutions have taken when it comes to the education process. The purpose of higher education is to disseminate and create ideas, providing students with the ability to apply those ideas to their careers and their interactions with the world. Innovation is required in order to allow universities to better accomplish these goals, and that innovation should start here at Centenary. At Centenary University, our goal will be to develop students who are interculturally competent, emotionally resilient, and intellectually curious through collaborative classroom spaces, mentor-like relationships with professors, and a transition into the workplace during the four years of college/university that not only pays but is backed by mentorship.

Equus Caballus have survived in the wild for over 53 million years. They have superior night vision due to the increased ratio of rods to cones in the eye and a reflective membrane behind the retina called the tapetum lucidum. This experiment aimed to investigate the visual abilities of horses by analyzing reactivity to novel objects in regular and low light settings. The hypothesis claimed that reactivity would be similar in both conditions. Eighteen adult geldings, all acclimated under the same conditions, were utilized for testing. They were randomly divided into two groups, regular and low light. Each group was individually shown four novel testing objects, one at a time, and reactivity was measured using heart rate monitoring alongside a behavioral scale. The heart rate values and behavior scores were recorded. Utilizing a Mann-Whitney test, the mean and standard deviation of the observed heart rates were analyzed. The median and interquartile range of the behavioral values were calculated. The mean heart rates in each group did not show a significant difference and the median behavioral scores for all groups fell between 0 and -1. The IQR stayed between 1 and 3. The results support the rejection of the null hypothesis.