Westminster Senior History and Sociology Majors Presented Capstone Research Projects

More than 30 Westminster College senior history and sociology majors recently presented their capstone research.

The final component of Liberal Studies at Westminster is a senior capstone course, which is at least a four-semester-hour course within the major designed to provide an opportunity for students to evaluate and assess the strengths and limitations of their major field.

Beaver Falls, PA
 Nicholas Kleck is a son of David and Vickie Kleck.  Kleck, a senior sociology/criminal justice major, is a graduate of Blackhawk High School.  The title of his research is "Rationalization of Living Environments for Mentally Handicapped in Pennsylvania."

Cheswick, PA
 Joseph Switalski is a son of Joseph and Judith Switalski.  Switalski, a senior history major, is a graduate of Deer Lakes High School.  The title of his research is "Stonewall Jackson's Death and Its Impact on the Outcome of the Civil War."

McDonald, PA
 James McDowell is a son of Robert and Tammy McDowell.  McDowell, a senior history major, is a graduate of Fort Cherry High School.  The title of his research is "The War Between the Southern States: States' Rights Conflict and Confederate Demise."

Rochester, PA
 Tara Timpano is a daughter of Anthony and Terri Timpano.  Timpano, a senior sociology/criminal justice major, is a graduate of Rochester Area High School.  The title of her research is "Closed on Sundays: The Amish Response to Rationalization."

Pittsburgh, PA
 John Baker is a son of Arthur and Noel Baker.  Baker, a senior history major, is a graduate of Seton-La Salle High School.  The title of his research is "The Dropping of the Atomic Bomb."
 Ronald Florian is a son of Ronald and Laura Florian.  Florian, a junior history major, is a graduate of Brashear High School. 
 Erin May is a daughter of Helen and John May.  May, a senior sociology major, is a graduate of Woodland Hills High School.  The title of her research is "McDonaldization of Aging: Nursing Homes as Total Institutions."
 Crystal Schumacher is a daughter of Margaret Schumacher.  Schumacher, a senior broadcast communications and history major, is a graduate of Baldwin High School.  The title of her research is "Wealth, Power, Murder, Media, and the Law: A Look Into the Free Trial vs. Free Press Debate."

Scenery Hill, PA
 Amy Rentz is a daughter of Matt and Christie Rentz.  Rentz, a senior sociology/public policy major, is a graduate of Bentworth High School.  The title of her research is "Bathtubs and Spinal Taps: The Continuum of Rationalized Childbirth."

Murrysville, PA
 Christopher Barnabei is a son of Domenic and Janet Barnabei.  Barnabei, a senior history major, is a graduate of Franklin Regional High School.  The title of his research is "The Iroquois: Collapse of the Six Nations During the Revolutionary War."

Ridgeway, PA
 Mark Rhoads is a son of Marsha and Brent Rhoads.  Rhoads, a senior sociology/criminal justice major, is a graduate of Ridgway Area High School.  The title of his research is "For Fun or Money: The Rationalization of Sports."

Zelienople, PA
 Jennifer Wahl is a daughter of Linda and Terry Wahl. Wahl, a senior history major, is a graduate of Seneca Valley High School.  The title of her research is "Akhmim and Egypt."

New Castle, PA
 Lauren Dado is a daughter of Robert and Mary Dado.  Dado, a senior sociology/criminal justice major, is a graduate of Shenango High School.  The title of her research is "Choice, Chance, or Circumstance: The Rationalization of Pre-Conceptive Sex Selection." 
 Kristen Shepherd is a daughter of Glenda Radicella.  Shepherd, a senior history major, is a graduate of New Castle High School.  The title of her research is "Cholera: 19th Century. Filth, Disease, and Sanitary Improvements."
 Angela Sperdute is a daughter of Howard and Carla Sperdute.  Sperdute, a senior sociology/criminal justice major, is a graduate of New Castle High School.  The title of her research is "Strippers, Frat Mats, and Sorostitutes: The Rationalization of Sisterhood."
 Daniel Wellman is a son of Daniel and Nancy Wellman. Wellman, a senior history major, is a graduate of Union Area High School.  The title of his research is "Tha Panama Canal: Its Creation and Its Purpose."
 
Ellwood City, PA
 Joseph Vitullo is a son of David and Beverly Vitullo. Vitullo, a senior history major, is a graduate of Lincoln High School.  The title of his research is "Intelligence, The CIA, and U.S. Foreign Policy During the Early Years of the Cold War."

Greenville, PA
 Lauren Anderson is a daughter of Dale and Susan Anderson.  Anderson, a senior sociology major, is a graduate of Jamestown Area High School.  The title of her research is "Burnout Rates in Social Workers: Compiling the Causes."

Grove City, PA
 Kevin McCreary is a son of David and Lynn McCreary.  McCreary, a senior political science and sociology major, is a graduate of Grove City Area High School.  The title of his research is "All the News That's Fit to Rationalize."

Pulaski, PA
 Willis Bretz is a son of Willis and Kim Bretz.  Bretz, a senior history major, is a graduate of Wilmington Area High School.  The title of his research is "The Implementation of Photography in the Civil War."

Dayton, PA
 Dennis Buffone is a son of Judy and Dennis Buffone. Buffone, a senior history major, is a graduate of Dayton High School.  The title of his research is "Fred H. Moore: Redefining the Cause Lawyer in the Sacco and Vanzetti Case."

Knox, PA
 Derek Myers is a son of Chris and Deborah Myers.  Myers, a senior history major, is a graduate of Keystone High School.  The title of his research is "Psychological Trauma of the Civil War Soldier as Seen Through Civil War Soldiers' Letters."

Rimersburg, PA
 Mary Eaton is a daughter of James Eaton.  Eaton, a senior English and history major, is a graduate of Union High School.  The title of her research is "Anne of Green Gables: Currant Wine, Anodyne Liniment, and Enduring Politics."

Cochranton, PA
 Alicia Heinle is a daughter of Rosemarie and Norbert Heinle.  Heinle, a junior history major, is a graduate of Cochranton High School.  The title of her research is "Decolonization: The Role of Independence in the Rwandan Civil War."

Corry, PA
 Abigail Sumpter is a daughter of Linda Sumpter.  Sumpter, a senior history major, is a graduate of Corry Area High School.  The title of her research is "Blonde-haired Blue-eyed Betty or Hard Hitting Hannah: Projections of All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players in the Press 1943-1954."

Fairview, PA
 Jessica Pettit is a daughter of Karen Pettit.  Pettit, a senior sociology major, is a graduate of Fairview High School.  The title of her research is "College Students Respond to the Media's Commodification of the Body."

Brookfield, OH
 Katherina Paroz is a daughter of Roger and Janice Paroz.  Paroz, a senior history major, is a graduate of Brookfield High School.  The title of her research is "Japanese Internment."

Lake Milton, OH
 Bradley Hochendoner is a son of Laura Hochendoner.  Hochendoner, a junior sociology/criminal justice major, is a graduate of Ursuline High School.  The title of his research is "Major Division I College Athletes and the Regeneration of the Undergraduate Education."

Warren, OH
 Craig Bohyer is a son of Tom and Celeste Bohyer.  Bohyer, a junior sociology/criminal justice major, is a graduate of Warren G. Harding High School.  The title of his research is "The Disenchantment of Sex in America."

Dalton, OH
 Thomas Oyer is a son of Robert and Rebecca Oyer.  Oyer, a senior sociology major, is a graduate of Dalton High School.  The title of his research is "Seeing Double?  Looking at Movie Remakes Through the Lens of McDonaldization."

Enon, OH
 Christian Davoli is a son of Adrian and Debby Davoli.  Davoli, a senior history major, is a graduate of Greenon High School.  The title of his research is "Cesar Chavez and the Chicago People: A Labor Movement to Remember."

Lakewood, NY
 Matthew Klizek is a son of Ronald and Denise Klizek.  Klizek, a senior history major, is a graduate of Southwestern Central High School.

Fairfax, VA
 Samuel Seo is a son of Bochang and Kijung Seo.  Seo, a senior sociology major, is a graduate of Fairfax High School.  The title of his research is "The Rationalized Individualism: Emerging Characteristics in the Spirituality of College-Aged Students."

For more information, contact Dr. Dwight Castro, chair of the Religion History, Philosophy & Classics Department, at (724) 946-7150 or Dr. Gary Lilly, chair of Political Science & Sociology Department, at (724) 946-7204.

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