The UAB National Alumni Society has named the 10 finalists for Mr. and Ms. UAB 2012.
The scholarship program, now in its 31st year, recognizes outstanding male and female students who have demonstrated scholastic achievement, leadership, campus and community involvement and overall enthusiasm for UAB.
The winners of the Mr. and Ms. UAB competition will each receive a $2,500 scholarship and serve as representatives of UAB. The first alternates also will each receive a $1,000 scholarship.
The Ms. UAB finalists are:
Hannah Bowers, a junior from Madison majoring in Spanish and biology; she also is pre-med. Bowers received a Charles W. Ireland Presidential Scholarship, is a member of the University Honors Program, a UAB Ambassador and president of Global Café. She is the daughter of Glenn and Teresa Bowers.
Clarissa Deal, a junior from Montgomery majoring in chemistry. Deal is a member of the Global and Community Leadership Honors Program, event chair for Blazer Nights with UAB Student Life, vice president of recruitment for Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and an intern for Greater Birmingham Alliance to Stop Air Pollution. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Connie Deal.
Deepa Etikala, a junior from Madison majoring in neuroscience. Etikala is a member of the University Honors Program and the leadership team for the UAB TrailBlazers, a UAB International Mentor and a volunteer with the Birmingham Crisis Center. She is the daughter of Sandya and Devender Etikala.
Aditi Jani, a junior from Pelham majoring in molecular biology. Jani is a recipient of the Regions Academic Scholarship, a UAB Ambassador, vice president of the Indian Cultural Association and a UAB Healing Words volunteer. She is the daughter of Hiren and Kalyani Jani.
Karla Khodanian, a junior from Madison majoring in communication studies with a specialization in public relations. Khodanian was awarded the Golden Excellence Academic Scholarship. She is committee chair for Student Life’s Blaze Productions and webmaster for UAB’s PRCA/PRSSA’s executive board. She also planned UAB’s first Blazing on the Green fall concert. She is the daughter of Gary and Fay Khodanian.
The Mr. UAB finalists are:
Timothy Alexander, a junior from Center Point majoring in criminal justice and communications. Alexander is a member of the UAB Football Team, a volunteer personal trainer at the Campus Recreation Center, a member of Gang Green and a volunteer at UAB Hospital. He is the son of Marvin and Patricia Alexander.
Kevin Jiang, a junior from Mountain Brook majoring in molecular biology and philosophy. Jiang was named National Most Outstanding New Member for Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, is secretary for Pi Kappa Phi, is a member of UAB’s Ethics Bowl team and a call volunteer at the Birmingham Crisis Center. He is the son of Wei Jiang and Liu Zhiyong.
Ali Massoud, a sophomore from Cairo, Egypt, majoring in English and French. Massoud is a UAB Presidential Scholar, a senator for the USGA, an attorney for the Mock Trial A-Team and a volunteer fundraiser for the Jean Dean Reading is Fundamental Campaign. He is the son of Omar Massoud and Amal Abdelmotalleb.
Dhruv Patel, a junior from Decatur majoring in biomedical engineering. Patel is a UAB Beckman Scholar, coordinator of the USGA Emergency Loan Program, senator for the School of Engineering and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. He is the son of Kalpesh and Alpa Patel.
Tushar Ramesh, a junior from Madison majoring in biomedical engineering. Ramesh is a UAB Presidential Scholarship recipient, Supplemental Instruction leader, president of the Biomedical Engineering Society Student Chapter and volunteer with Evercare Hospice. He is the son of Gopal and Anu Ramesh.