Celebration of Scholars
shared self-concepts and a common mission or core vision. Are congregations more like arts organizations with weekly worship as the main performance or more like social service organizations offering interpersonal support, life coaching, social networking and opportunities for civic engagement? These issues are addressed in the Social Ecology of Congregations Project. Visit www.carthage. edu/congregations
Power of Calligraphic Words Amanda Volkmann, 2011 Major: Graphic Design Hometown: Des Plaines, Ill. Faculty Sponsor: Mimi Yang
The ancient art of Chinese calligraphy started as an expressive art, continued as the primary form of communication for China, and is used today as a trendy, symbolic art. In today’s modern art world, the art of Chinese calligraphy is used for its visual aesthetic more than its intended meanings. While many choose to use the calligraphic forms for their aesthetic and intended meaning, often it is not confirmed what is written. Due to the complexity and ability to still communicate the intended thought, westerners often ignore slight discrepancies in the written characters. My work is unique for combining the topic of Chinese writing with the topic of communication. In this research I analyze Chinese calligraphy communicatively and visually to see what is expressed and how. The research explains how Chinese calligraphy was used, artistically, until the early 1900s, versus how it is used today. It explores the signifier versus the signified and how space is used to express the written character.
Disney: The Adult Vacation Jamie Waelti, 2011
Major: Marketing Hometown: Rockford, Ill. Faculty Sponsor: Jan Owens
I have decided to focus my thesis on marketing to an older adult market, with no children, to the Disney World Resort, EPCOT. Since Disney is seen as a place for children, I want to bring back adults to their childhood. This is important because these adults have more vacation time, more money to spend, and should have just as much fun as a family with children. This project seeks to identify factors that would encourage older adults with no children to frequent Disney parks, especially EPCOT. This study will show where the adults typically vacation and how to attract this market to Disney. The study will rely on primary and secondary data. The one-on-one interviews and descriptive surveys will help identify the specific market that would be interested in this vacation, as well as what types of activities adults like. This will also be helpful in finding out if the customer even thinks about Disney since they have no children. The literary reviews will help specify background information, and information about Disney that wouldn’t be accessible otherwise. The results of these studies will provide insights to attract a new market, to a highly vacationed area. This market is one with money, time, and many other variables that would be a good investment to Disney and hopefully increase their business to create a successful new market to adults with no children. 34
Financial Analysis of Briggs and Stratton Tony Walek, 2012
Major: Economics, Finance Hometown: Woodbury, Minn.
Josh Khoshbin, 2011
Major: Accounting, Finance Hometown: Hawthorn Woods, Ill.
Zak Khoshbin, 2012
Major: Accounting, Finance Hometown: Hawthorn Woods, Ill. Faculty Sponsor: Joe Wall
Based on guidelines provided by the Chartered Financial Analysts Society (CFA) we have formed an investment thesis on Briggs and Stratton Corporation (NYSE: BGG). Briggs and Stratton is an international company based out of Milwaukee, Wis. With approximately 80% market share, Briggs and Stratton is largest producer of small gas engines and power products in the world. We are issuing a BUY rating for Briggs and Stratton with a price target of $25. This price target is based on values derived from valuation models including discounted cash flow, price to next twelve months EPS, and enterprise value to EBITDA. In order to create these models several assumptions were formed about the future of the company. These assumptions include profit margins of 3-4%, sales growth of 4-5% year over year and stable pension costs. We performed a sensitivity analysis in order to determine the effect of these variables on our target price. To support our models we present a financial analysis of Briggs and Stratton, and discuss key investment drivers such as emerging market expansion, U.S. market recovery and higher margin business opportunities. In addition to these investment drivers, the lean company structure Briggs and Stratton has created as a result of the recent recession will allow them to capitalize on future opportunities with higher operating margins than in the past. As the global economies continue to recover, Briggs is in a prime position to generate quality earnings.