Honors Program Degrees with Distinction

Eligible Fashion & Apparel Studies students participate in the University Honors Program.

Here is information about a few Degrees with Distinction that have been recently completed.

Michelle Fay Guthrie
A Fashion Merchandising graduate, from Chambersburg, PA, won the 2005 Undergraduate Research Paper Competition at the International Textile and Apparel Association annual conference. Her paper titled “Brand perceptions and facial image related to cosmetics usage” was developed from her honor’s thesis she completed in partial fulfillment for a degree with distinction. Michelle’s research studies women’s attitudes and behaviors related to cosmetics usage and brand perceptions. Her study examines consumer perceptions and preferences for brands in conjunction with personal (cosmetic usage and facial image) and brand (brand personality) characteristics. Michelle graduated Cum Laude in 2005 with a double major in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing and a minor in International Business. Dr. Hye-Shin Kim served as her thesis advisor.

Andrea Shelhamer
A Fashion Merchandising major, from Wilmington, DE, graduated with a degree with distinction in spring 2005. In partial fulfillment of a degree with distinction, Andrea completed a honor’s thesis titled “Effects of acculturation, product involvement, and fashion leadership on the purchasing decision of American students studying abroad.” Andrea’s research examined the interrelationships of fashion leadership, acculturation, and product involvement as they related to purchasing behavior. Andrea found evidence that the interest/pleasure aspect of product involvement to be a strong influencer of how much and how often one shops when abroad. Andrea presented her research at the 2005 International Textiles and Apparel Association annual conference in Washington, D.C. Andrea graduated with a major in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in History. Dr. Hye-Shin Kim served as her thesis advisor.