ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

 I would like to thank Alaina Rodriguez and Julia Thomas-this project would not

have been possible without their help and continued encouragement. Academically, I

would like to thank two of my committee members-Dr. John Sutherland for sharing his

fatherly advice and guidance, and Dr. Robyn Goodman for her patience. I truly

appreciate the help that Dr. Jim Geason, Patrick Reaves, Jody Hedge, and James Albury

offered to me-this project would not have completed in time without them.