Students' research topics and Powerpoint presentations from the Geography capstone, Fall semesters.

2008

• Tarah Burgess. Analysis of preschool safety in urban and rural areas.
• Richard Cole. The impact of campus forests on air quality: An exploratory study of Grand Valley State University.
• Enzo Crescentini. The diffusion of Islam in the United States of America, 1920 to 2008.
• Ian Fox. Measuring land use change from 1978 to 2005 in the Benton Harbor area using remotely-sensed data.
• Tyler Homrich. An exploratory study on the affect of Rivertown Crossings mall on the City of Grandville.
• Nick Langeland. Democracy and freedom in the Middle East and North Africa, 1973 to 2007.
• Greg Lowman. Improving the classification of plant functional types using evidential reasoning on remotely-sensed imagery of lower Michigan.
• Elizabeth McMurray. Urban redevelopment and migration into the city: An exploratory study of Baker Lofts in Holland, Michigan.
• Nathan Mort. Oil Prices and Amtrak Ridership: 2002-2008.
• Michael Nowak. Geographic patterns of rent in the Grand Rapids to Allendale transportation corridor, 2008.
• Diana Page. Hispanic migration to the United States, 1980 to 2000.
• Erin Piscopink. An analysis of Detroit and its potential for success as a viable city.
• Craig VanGalder. Globalization of basketball: diffusion of American culture.
• Whitney Willis. Social service dependency among Habitat for Humanity homeowners in Kent County, Michigan.

2007

• Kevin Coles. The problem with a third party and it's influence on voter behavior during the 2000 and 2004 Presidential Elections in Florida.
• Danielle Danowski. Comparative analysis of mothers who give birth at North Ottawa Community Hospital: pediatrician use in Grand Haven vs. elsewhere.
• Eric Guikema. Sustainability of Michigan's six largest universities: a comparative study.
• Dustin Hall. Changing geography of church adherence in Michigan 1952 to 2000.
• Patrick Jurgens. The foreclosure problem in Michigan.
• Pete Papadakos. Crime on university campuses in Michigan.
• Sarah Phillips. Study of the causes of the organic movement in the United States.
• Ben Sanborn. College recruitment: a comparison of geographic origins and majors for university student populations and their football Players (an exploratory study) .
• Joseph Shafer. Land use cover change analysis in Georgetown Charter Township, Michigan, 1998-2005.
• Brent Thelen. Mapping the shoulders of Ottawa County roads: A helpful guide for biking enthusiasts in the county.
• Andrew VanderMeer. The causes of the invasion and occupation of Iraq.
• David Welch. Mapping land cover change in Grand Haven Township.

• Craig Bettis. A study of crime trends at GVSU.
• Rochelle Bright. HIV/AIDS: the case of Subsaharan Africa.
• Ian Clowes. An exploratory study examining the impact of the South Beltline Freeway on land use in the Kalamazoo Avenue area south of Grand Rapids, 1988-2005. 
• Colleen Cone. The effect of poverty on education and education funding.
• Bret Groendyke. An exploratory study on firefighter attitudes towards combining fire departments in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.
• Clinton Klamer. Spatial diffusion: the spread of soybean cultivation in the United States, 1927-2005.
• Matt Lashell. An exploratory study of crime and demographics in the city of Grand Rapids.
• Andrew Million. Land use change along the coast of Grand Haven Township.
• Trent Mills. A deer hunter's journey to hunt.
• Seth Rennie. Study of E. coli contamination in the Coldwater River near Freemont, Michigan.
• Sunalath Siakhasone. Exploratory study on gas station location: why do they locate the where they do?
• Sara Smith. An exploratory study of housing costs and proximity to Grand Valley State University.
• Jon Vos. Where sex offenders live: A study of two hypotheses using GIS technology.

• Alyssa Cebula. Success in an unsuccessful market: Why is Happy Chickens on the rise despite the falling egg industry?

2004

• Neil Besteman. Crime rate and income level in a rural Michigan county.
• Matt Catanzarite. Testing exotic flora locations: landscape and knotweed colonization.
• Tisha Cooley. Change in the distribution of HIV/AIDS in Africa.
• Karen Cooper. Residential buildout analysis of Allendale Township.
• John Dillay. Analysis of Michigan's Trophy Game Fish and the Best Areas to Catch Them.
• Brent Hutton. Growth of golf courses in Michigan.
• Carissa Jackson. Bamboo.
• J.R. Lotto. Patterns of Arson in Michigan between January 2001 and October 2004.
• Joe Kalee. Using Landsat 7 imagery and aerial photos to identify land-use patterns near active volcanic regions of New Zealand's North Island.
• Ben O'Connor, Stephen Carlson, Malinda VanSledright. Citizen Survey of Grand Haven Township: a sample survey of knowledge of and satisfaction with Township services.
• Leon Palmer. Analysis of commuter habits of students adjacent to Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan.
• Aaron Ratke. Diffusion of grape cultivation from 1982 to 1997, USA and selected states.
• Jeremiah Saier. Using GIS to determine the difference in frequency of vehicle - deer collisions along two different routes between Benzonia and Allendale, Michigan.
• Jason Skantze. Michigan golf and its courses: it's all about a good lie.
• Blake Terhune. The human contribution and reaction to desertification in Northern Africa.
• Joe Van Alten. Price and change in field crops grown in Michigan, 1981 to 2001.
• Brian VandenBrand. Twenty Years of land use change in Grand Haven Township: Patterns of change and economic implications of development.

2003

• Ryan Bosscher. "Distribution and statistical analysis of traffic accidents in Grand Haven Township, September 2002 to September 2003." Powerpoint presentation.
• Tim DeYoung. "The impact of current events on students' mapping of the Middle East, 2000 to 2003." Powerpoint presentation.
• Jay Dirkse. "Changing geography of soybeans in Michigan counties, 1950 to 2002." Powerpoint presentation.
• Andy Moore. "A study of bus rider satisfaction in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area." Powerpoint presentation
• Matt Rowbotham. "Build-out analysis: A GIS Approach for understanding the effectiveness of land use regulations." Powerpoint presentation.
• Jessica Stempky. "Mapping the Middle East: gender differences and spatial cognition of students." Powerpoint presentation.
•   Michelle Bootz. "Examining big box mega malls and local businesses: who gets the sales?" Powerpoint presentation
• Jim Hauter. "Analysis of point and nonpoint e coli contamination in the Sand and Deer Creek watersheds."
• Michele Kintigh. "Geographical analysis of client distribution."  Powerpoint presentation.