Posted on April 20, 2004 at 3:51 p.m.
BIRMINGHAM, AL — Students and scholars from around the world were honored at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) International Awards Banquet April 9 at the Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 8th Avenue North. UAB International Scholar and Student Services is a sponsor for the event that recognizes the achievements of the university’s international community.
Retired Professor John D. Jones, Ed.D., received the Phi Beta Delta Global Citizenship Award. The award, presented by the Beta Nu Chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, recognizes individuals or organizations that have had a significant impact on the internationalization of UAB or had a humanitarian impact on the global community.
Jones was UAB’s first vice president for student affairs, 1978-1990, and was the first full-time director of the Center for International Programs, 1990-1995, where he was instrumental in improving and expanding international research, teaching and service programs. He also directed the design, construction and operation of the UAB Smolian International House at 1600 10th Avenue South.
Other award winners included Aaruni Khanolkar from India who was named as the Outstanding Visiting Scholar. The award honors non-immigrant visiting scholars with less than three years of experience at UAB. Khanolkar is a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Microbiology.
The Outstanding Achievement Awards was presented to Laila Abou-Agag, a doctoral student in nutrition sciences from Egypt, and Madhavan Mahendrakumar, a graduate student in engineering from India. Abou-Agag was elected president of the Egyptian Student and Scholar Association in 2003 and has volunteered with the Muslim Women’s Group of the Birmingham Islamic Society. Mahendrakumar is president of the Hindu Student Council at UAB.
To qualify for the Outstanding Achievement Awards, students must have a minimum 3.5 grade point average and demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, ability, and community service.
The Academic Excellence Awards were presented to Najaf Ali Shah, a senior computer science major from Pakistan; Sandra Astrid Nunez, a graduate student in civil engineering from Columbia; and Zhuo Zhang, a joint health science doctoral student in pharmacology/toxicology from the People’s Republic of China. The awards are presented to students who have at least a 3.5 grade point average and have achieved scholastic honors and/or professional achievement while attending UAB.
Brooke Mangan, a senior accounting major from Australia and a member of the UAB women’s golf team, was named International Athlete of the Year. The Athlete of the Year award is presented to student athletes and those who have made significant contributions to the athletic program. Nominees must also maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average and perform community service.
The Outstanding Study Abroad Student Awards are presented to students who demonstrate academic excellence and participate in UAB approved study abroad programs and activities. The winners are Todd McCarty of Mobile, a junior biology major, who traveled to Granada, Spain for a study abroad program, and Marianne McLaughlin, a senior anthropology major, who participated in a study abroad program in Chilapa, Guerrero, Mexico.
The Turkish Student Association received the Outstanding International Student Organization Award. The award recognizes student organizations with a majority membership of non-immigrant students attending UAB. Criteria for consideration include service with UAB and the community, cultural and educational activities, social and recreational activities and assistance for new students.