2011 Academic Symposium Booklet

Kyle Hogan Major: History Hometown: Baldwinsville, NY To Kindle a Flame: Assessing the Haitian Revolution’s Influence on Antebellum America The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) resulted in the second republic in the Western Hemisphere—after the United States—and the only independent nation ever successfully established by revolting slaves.

Today this accomplishment remains a symbol of black freedom. In early nineteenth-century America, the Revolution profoundly influenced the thinking of many Americans, who lived in a society much dependent on slavery. This presentation explores some of the ways the Haitian Revolution was used publicly by both abolitionists and defenders of slavery in the slavery debates. Both sides of the debate used the Revolution to bolster their own arguments: abolitionists saw the Revolution as a symbol of their greatest potential hope while slavery advocates understood it as the realization of their greatest fear. Finally, the presentation poses the important question: What does the Haitian Revolution mean for American race relations today?

Laura Hughes Major: Music Hometown: Rochester Hills, MI Senior Recital for Voice This vocal recital will highlight works from various Italian, German, French and English composers, spanning from the 17th century to the 20th century. Featured works include the aria, “Vedrai, carino” from W.A. Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni.

Jacqueline Maiuri Major: Psychology Hometown: Davisburg, MI Do Our Siblings Really Drive Us Crazy?

Our relationships with our siblings are potentially some of the most influential relationships in our lives, but when you throw in issues like Autism or Asperger’s syndrome things tend to get more complicated.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) widely affects our society today and very little research has been conducted on the effects children with ASD have on their siblings. This study was conducted to test whether or not siblings of children with ASD experience higher amounts of internalizing (low selfesteem) and externalizing (fighting) behavioral issues than siblings of normally developing children.

This presentation seeks to present previous research on this issue and to address the question of whether or not our siblings really do drive us crazy.

Jeffrey Martin Major: Biblical Studies Hometown: Clarkston, MI The Voice of One Crying Out in the Wilderness: A Study of the Baptism Narrative of the Gospel of Mark Each of the four Gospels opens differently. Matthew and Luke begin with birth narratives. John opens with another creation story. Mark, on the other hand, begins with the start of Jesus’ ministry, when he was baptized in the Jordan by John. John the Baptist is portrayed almost like a prophet of the Old Testament. The call to repentance to prepare the way for the Messiah becomes fulfilled with Christ. This narrative becomes a crucial turning point in the Biblical canon.

Jennifer McKenna Major: Music Hometown: Waterford, MI Senior Recital for Voice A presentation of songs and arias for soprano from composers such as Tchaikovsky, Puccini and Handel, as well as an arrangement for solo piano.