Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Assessing Land Use Changes Due To Natural Gas Drilling Operations In The Marcellus Shale In Bradford County, Pa, Claire A. Jantz, Hannah K. Kubach, Jacob R. Ward, Shawn Wiley, Dana Heston

The Geographical Bulletin

Extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation began in the mid-2000s, and well pads and their associated infrastructure are now prominent fixtures throughout the Appalachian region. However, there is currently little research available to provide insight into its implications for land use and land cover change. In this case study of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, we used high-resolution aerial photography, land cover data, and well point data to quantify current and potential land use change as a result of gas drilling, as well as the types of land cover to be converted. Based on the number of permits held …

Weather Influences On Raptor Migration Along The Kittatinny Ridge, Pennsylvania, Tara E. Gettig, Timothy W. Hawkins

The Geographical Bulletin

This paper analyzes the relationship between weather patterns and bird migration to determine the feasibility of a site-specific migration forecast. Autumn migration data from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Pennsylvania for ten species were correlated with individual weather variables. Stepwise multiple linear regressions revealed a positive relationship with raptor migration to northwesterly winds and wind speed and an inverse relationship to sea level pressure. Composite maps were created using data from days with the greatest migration counts for each species and categorized by synoptic situations. A relationship between bird migration and cold-front passage was revealed, with five of the species having their …

Cover Cropping: How Sustainability And Economics Can Work Hand In Hand, Emma Reyes

Business and Economics Summer Fellows

Research finds that over half of the agricultural lands worldwide have been moderately or severely affected by soil degradation (Kopittke et al., 2019). This problem is further heightened by the fact that many farmers are concerned about the profitability of sustainable practices. As a result, this may lead to an increase in the practice of more harmful conventional agricultural techniques if they continue to be considered more economically beneficial in comparison. This paper aims to see if the use of a specific sustainable practice known as cover cropping can help to increase the level of economic benefits farmers receive. Cover …

Utilization Of Mental Health Services At Domestic Violence Agencies In Pennsylvania, Kealsey Mcneil

Social Work Student Research

In this research, I examined the use of mental health services at domestic violence (DV) programs in rural and urban Pennsylvania and agency size. I examined the needs, characteristics, and availability of mental health services for DV survivors across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I looked at DV service use from a variety of sources to provide a well-rounded understanding of the factors that contributed to mental health service use. I used three secondary data sources: the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), Adequacies of Network of Services Provided to the Survivors of Domestic Violence in Pennsylvania–Phase II study, and data obtained from …

Hdfs Spring 2024 Newsletter, Raeann Hamon

Human Development and Family Science Student Work

Annual spring newsletter created by the Human Development and Family Science Department. Student, faculty, and alumni updates.

• Message From Dr. Johns
• Dr. Hamon Legacy Award
• HDFS Administrative Assistant News
• Kim Valvo - Outstanding Alumni Recipient
• Jordan Thompson AFCS Board Election
• NCFR News
• FCS News
• Elder Service Partner Program
• MCFR News
• FCCLA And Dr. Hamon’s PA FCS Award
• FCS Educator Day
• 2024 Graduates

Words Without Faces: Anonymous Social Media On Campus, Evelyn Kelly

Language, Literature & Writing Student Scholarship

"A new anonymous social media app, Fizz, has announced intentions to launch on Messiah University’s campus. Anonymous social media apps allow users to post within a set community without their comments being traced back to them. One such popular app around campus is Yik Yak..."

Murray Library April 2024 Newsletter, Murray Library

Library Publications

Contents of this issue include:

• Meet Murray’s New Director, Janet Vogel
• Library Student Research Grant Award
• The Living Library: Signups are live
• National Library Week is nearly here!
• Murray’s Seed Library Newsletter
• Sow and Grow Recap
• Seed Library Lunch and Learn event

Murray In A Hurray Fy24, Sarah K. Myers, Murray Library

Library Publications

Murray Library at Messiah University created a unique marketing tool called Murray in a Hurry. This newsletter is typically distributed every two to three weeks and is hung in all bathroom stalls at the library. It provides information on library events, new materials, literary quotes, fun facts, and humor. This combined document includes all 11 issues during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Law And Literature In Pennsylvania: A Changing Landscape, Juliette Gaggini

Honors Theses

This thesis examines themes of American national identity perpetuated in Pennsylvania surrounding private property through historical, literary and legal analysis. Ideals of private property and land ownership are broken into three transitions throughout Pennsylvania history: the American frontier and initial land claiming by settlers, mass-deforestation and the introduction of widespread agriculture, and finally industrialization and the introduction of mining and fracking. Each of these transitions highlights the physical changes to the region and how they were influenced by American ideals of private property, productivity, and profitability.

Throughout this thesis, I analyze both literary and legal texts to examine societal beliefs …

The Importance Of Endrew: Analyzing The Influence Of A New Legal Precedent In Pennsylvania Due Process Hearing Officer Decisions Before And After Covid-19 Closures, David H. Rush

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

In 2017, a new standard for determining substantive violations of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was established with the ruling for Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District. Recently, the United States Department of Education and State Education Agencies have cited the Endrew decision as being important in defining what constitutes a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) under the IDEA, in light of mandated school closures due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Despite its noted importance, there has been limited analysis into how this new legal precedent has influenced special education due process hearing officer decisions. …

Qualitative Study Exploring The Risk Factors Of Burnout: Pennsylvania Social Work Professionals In Child Welfare, Nicole Ukaegbu

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Burnout is a concern that impacts many professionals in the workplace. This study focused on the risk factors of burnout for social work professionals in Pennsylvania’s child welfare industry. The study was conducted with 10 professionals at children and youth services (CYS) agencies in Pennsylvania, where each of the professionals were interviewed to gain perspective on the problem of burnout. This study used a qualitative approach and was rooted in grounded theory to unravel the findings.

Four risk factor themes, nine risk factor subthemes, and two additional findings themes were generated during the data analysis process. Findings from the 10 …

An Analysis Of Poverty Convergence: Evidence From Pennsylvania Counties, Angel Alcantara, Stephanie M. Brewer, James J. Jozefowicz

The Journal of Economics and Politics

This paper extends applications of unconditional and conditional β-convergence and σ-convergence analysis to poverty rates in a panel data sample of Pennsylvania counties during the period 1990-2019. Spatial structural breaks between rural and urban counties in Pennsylvania plus the possibility that Philadelphia County is an outlier are acknowledged to avoid spurious inferences. The findings support the existence of unconditional β-convergence in the pooled, urban, and rural samples with non-metropolitan areas exhibiting the greatest convergence. However, the largest conditional β-convergence is observed for urban counties, and this outcome is robust to the exclusion of Philadelphia County. Graphical evidence evinces a greater …

Murray Library October 2023 Newsletter, Murray Library

Library Publications

What's new at the library? News and information about Murray Library at Messiah University written by its staff.

• Food for Thought events
• Friends bus trip to DC
• Friends Dinner and Lecture
• Trivia Night recap

Exploring Expansion Of Biogas Energy Production On Homesteads, Small-Scale, And Large-Scale Farms, Morgan Powell

Student Project Reports

No abstract provided.

Does Child Care Works Work? An Exploration Of Pennsylvania’S Child Care Subsidy Program, Samantha J. Martin

The Gettysburg Journal for Public Policy

This article explores the theory and implementation behind Child Care Works, Pennsylvania's child care subsidy program. The article then studies and evaluates the policy through three criterion: effectiveness in providing families with low cost but high quality child care, efficiency in how it uses resources dedicated to childcare in the state, and the equitable distribution of access to childcare. Child Care Works has the potential to increase access to childcare and employment in Pennsylvania, but the current budget does not allot enough money to the program for it to be as helpful as it could be.

2023 Sacs Symposium Schedule, Jennifer L. Thomson

2023 SACS Symposium

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate the excellent research that has been conducted by the students of the School of Arts, Culture and Society. The week will kick-off with a research symposium on:

Monday, April 24th in Hostetter Chapel from 8 am - 8 pm

Student researchers will presenting their data in both poster and oral presentation formats.

At Messiah, we believe in educating "men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith". Through inquiry and scholarship, our students and faculty seek to glorify God and grow in wisdom and understanding of His creation.

Dr. Peter …

Murray Library April 2023 Newsletter, Murray Library

Library Publications

What's new at the library? News and information about Murray Library at Messiah University written by its staff.

• Library Student Research Grant
• Fueled by Failure event
• Chat with a Librarian
• Seed Library

Murray In A Hurray Fy23, Sarah K. Myers, Murray Library

Library Publications

Murray Library at Messiah University created a unique marketing tool called Murray in a Hurry. This newsletter is typically distributed every two weeks and is hung in all bathroom stalls. It provides information on library events, new materials, literary quotes, grammar, and humor. This combined document includes all 12 issues during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Murray Library March 2023 Newsletter, Murray Library

Library Publications

What's new at the library? News and information about Murray Library at Messiah University written by its staff.

• Mini Golf in the Stacks
• Human Library
• Seed Library officially open

Murray Library February 2023 Newsletter, Murray Library

Library Publications

What's new at the library? News and information about Murray Library at Messiah University written by its staff.

• Upcoming Bingo Night
• Student Snapshot – Meet Paige Horne
• Congratulations to Michael Rice
• Murray Library participating in the 2023 Messiah University Humanities Symposium
• Championing Literacy on the National MLK Day of Service

Arlen Specter: How A Jewish Boy From Kansas Became A Mediator For Middle East Peace, Georgia G. Skuza

Arlen Specter Center Research Fellowship

Amongst all the things Senator Arlen Specter had accomplished in his thirty years as a United States Senator, one of the most fascinating is that of the late Senators work on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The long-held debate of the borders surrounding Israel & Palestine has made politicians and people chose sides. As a Jewish individual, Senator Specter had to set aside his religious and personal beliefs to affectively pass legislation in the state of Pennsylvania and United States Congress. One of Senator Specter’s largest areas of study was Middle East Diplomacy. His Pro-Israel stance led him to have an aura …

Murray Library December 2022 Newsletter, Murray Library

Library Publications

What's new at the library? News and information about Murray Library at Messiah University written by its staff.

• Gift of Music Handbell Quartet at Murray
• Exam Cram Extra Hours
• Maximize Reading with Audiobooks
• Friends 20th Annual Dinner and Program with Anita Voelker
• Christmas Film Classics

Murray Library November 2022 Newsletter, Murray Library

Library Publications

What's new at the library? News and information about Murray Library at Messiah University written by its staff.

• What’s a seed library?
• Student Snapshot – Meet Liv Allbee
• Canadian Literature

Building Murray Library, 1977 (Photo Exhibit), Sarah Myers

Library Exhibits & Events

Murray Learning Resources Center was named in honor of the college’s architect, William Lynch Murray and his wife Geraldine. The library expansion project was completed at Messiah College, now Messiah University, in 1977.

Homer Rosenberger: Learning Beyond The Classroom, Theodore J. Szpakowski

Student Publications

Homer Rosenberger, a Pennsylvania historian, cared deeply about sharing information. He collected books and articles on the history of PA, as well as meeting minutes for the many societies he participated in. All of this material is now stored in boxes available at Musselman Library in Gettysburg, PA. This paper is a combination of research and reflection on the experience of working with the Rosenberger collection, specifically a box that deals primarily with correspondence learning and public history.

Unlocking Rosenberger's Research, Victoria N. Ramsay

Student Publications

Homer Rosenberger's unprocessed collection lies in Musselman Library's Special Collections--a multitude of boxes filled with Pennsylvania research and memorabilia. By examining the first box in the collection, it becomes clear that Rosenberger was more than just an avid researcher, but also a man with his own history and reasons for collecting these documents in the first place.

The Culture Of Appalachian Coal Miners And Its Affect On Their Culture, Joanna Mary Ferrell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this ethnographic study was to understand and describe the culture and history of the Appalachian coal mining community and how the culture is impacting their future if they face a mine closure. The theory guiding this study is the Cultural Identity Theory by Mary Jane Collier as it explains that the miners’ culture is influenced by those around them and can change based on their surroundings. There is also influence from mining history, which was explored in detail. Surveys, interviews, and observations were utilized to collect data as well as historic artifacts.

Law Library Blog (March 2022): Legal Beagle's Blog Archive, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Law Library Newsletters/Blog

No abstract provided.

Restorative Justice And Recidivism In Formerly Incarcerated Women, Alfeia B. Devaughn-Goodwin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study explored the experiences of nonviolent women offenders over the age of 50 of all ethnicities who were formerly incarcerated and their involvement with restorative justice and recidivism from a public policy perspective. Although there was prior research on reentry of ex-offenders, the problem was that few studies focused on the barriers and success factors of reentry services for older female ex-offenders 50 years or older. The purpose of the study was to explore restorative justice and recidivism in formerly incarcerated women who were nonviolent offenders in an East Coast state with a focus on the barriers and success …

A Gis Analysis Of Potential Wetland Mitigation Opportunities In The Brandywine Creek Watershed, Chester County, Pennsylvania, Shannon Ryan

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Wetlands provide innumerous functions and values that are beneficial to both the natural environment and economic systems. Historically these habitats have suffered significant losses and it is crucial to preserve existing wetlands and plan for future restoration opportunities. This research examines six sub-watersheds within the Brandywine Creek watershed within Chester County, Pennsylvania to determine where potential wetland mitigation opportunities occur. Using a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis, three wetland characteristics including watercourse locations, existing National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) wetlands, and hydric soils were mapped throughout each of the watersheds. Areas of agricultural easements and steep slopes were used to exclude …