Annie Townsend '24 blended her interest with history, architecture, and security to form her senior thesis, “A Security Analysis of the Virginia Military Institute’s Barracks through the Lens of Infrastructure," which she presented during Honors Week at Virginia Military Institute.

Freedom of the press in the United States is legally protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. Media freedom is protected in most sovereign nations around the world, but is there a security price to pay for the liberties media enjoy?

Gabriella Handford ’24, a biology major, recently presented her honors research thesis focused on her work and study of the effect of psychedelic drug therapy on male betta splendens as compared to traditional pharmaceuticals.

Brandon Marks ’23, an international studies major at Virginia Military Institute, conducted a two-year-long research project on microfinance, and presented his findings in his senior thesis titled, “The Impact of Domestic Context on Microfinance Provision and Effectiveness” during Honors Week, held

Philip Argauer ’23 conducted a year-long research project on cadet motivation with physical fitness and presented his findings in his senior thesis titled, “Increased Physical Fitness With Volt” during Honors Week, held March 20-28.  

Binh Tran ’23 is working to help parents of children with hearing impairments, and presented his research in his senior thesis. The goal of this multi-student project is to develop an app to help parents of hearing impaired children perceive the same sense of hearing that their children hear.

Claire Curtis focused her Honors Week discussion on two fairly common learning differences: ADHD, which is characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsiveness; and dyslexia, a disorder personal to Curtis, and characterized by issues in reading, writing, and understanding written language.

Nick Schaefer ’23, an international studies major, minoring in national security, focused his research project on finding a pattern of behavior that leads to the use of private military companies.

Colin Butler '23 started his research where most research starts — at the drawing board. He conducted a year-long research project on concrete support beams. He presented his findings in his senior thesis titled, “High Strength Fiber Reinforce Concrete and its Application in Composite Beams.”

Cadet Chris Cocoris ‘23 remembers growing up listening to stories about his great-uncle George Cocoris. They were passed down to his father since his great-uncle had passed before Cocoris was born. George joined the Greek resistance to oppose the Axis occupation in 1941 Greece, Cocoris said.