2013 winners, Zach Hughes and Deidra AtkinsonThe top 10 finalists for one of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s oldest Homecoming traditions have been selected, and the winners of the 33rd annual Mr. and Ms. UAB Scholarship Competition will be announced at UAB’s Homecoming game Saturday, Oct. 11, at Legion Field.
Sponsored by the UAB National Alumni Society, this tradition recognizes outstanding male and female students on campus 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 in the coming year. The first alternates will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Finalists are selected through two rounds of interviews and a student vote, which is held during Homecoming Week.
2014 Ms. UAB finalists:
Candy Mosley, 20, is a junior from Foley, Alabama, majoring in public health. She is a member of the University Honors Program and a recipient of the License to Learn Scholarship. Director of marketing and public relations for the Student Activities Council, Mosley is also the vice president of communications for the University Student Government Association and a member of the Student Alumni Society Leadership Committee. She volunteers with Into the Streets and Walk Now for Autism Speaks. She is the daughter of Ted and Dawn Mosley.
Lauren Osburn, 20, is a junior from Navarre, Florida, majoring in neuroscience with a minor in chemistry. She is a Blazer Elite Scholarship recipient and a secondary author on a neurobiology paper presented at the Society for Research on Biological Rhythms. An orientation leader, Osburn is also a member of the University Honors Program and an undergraduate research assistant. She volunteers at VCA Becker Animal Hospital and the Humane Society. She is the daughter of John and Debbie Osburn.
Nicole Rodriguez, 20, is a junior from Prattville, Alabama. She majors in international studies and is pre-law. She won first place in the Bachelor’s Category at the annual School of Public Health Research Day and was awarded the Global and Community Leadership Honors Program Scholarship. A UAB ambassador, Rodriguez is also a UAB international mentor and the attorney general of the USGA. She is the director of production for Relay for Life and vice president of the UAB Chapter of the Alabama Alliance for Healthy Youth. She is the daughter of Dr. Oscar and Rosemary Rodriguez.
Weslie Shannon, 20, is a junior from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, majoring in political science and international studies. She is a member of the University Honors Program and a recipient of the Golden Excellence Scholarship. Shannon is the vice president of finance for the USGA as well as recruitment for the PanHellenic Executive Board. She is a mentor at Arrington Middle School and volunteers with Oxfam America. She is the daughter of Wesley and Kim Shannon.
Asia Sullivan, 20, is a junior from Castleberry, Alabama, majoring in public health with a concentration in global health studies. She was named Outstanding Student Leader in 2014 and is a recipient of the Alliance Scholarship. A resident assistant, Sullivan is an orientation leader coordinator and is a teacher’s assistant for the University Honors Program. She volunteers with the Humane Society and 1917 Clinic. She is the daughter of Mary Sullivan.
2014 Mr. UAB Finalists:
Thomas J. Bailey II, 20, is a junior from Dothan, Alabama. He majors in biomedical engineering and is pre-med. He is a Gates Millennium Scholar and a Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Scholar. Bailey is vice president of the Iota Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha and is a member of both the University Honors Program and Biomedical Engineering Honors Program. He volunteers with the March of Dimes and the Birmingham Division of Youth Services. He is the son of Thomas and Jennifer Bailey.
Ben Burgess, 20, is a junior from Trussville, Alabama, majoring in biomedical sciences. He is a Jack Parker Scholarship winner, is in the Science and Technology Honors Program, and recipient of the Lambda Chi Alpha Scholastic Achievement Award. A trumpet player in the Marching Blazers, Burgess is also a resident assistant and member of Lambda Chi Alpha. He volunteers at Amedysis Hospice Care and North American Food Drive. He is the son of Ben and Janet Burgess.John Wesley Chancellor, 20, is a junior from Enterprise, Alabama, majoring in neuroscience. He is a teaching assistant for the University Honors Program, is a vice president for Tau Kappa Epsilon and is on the Student Alumni Society Leadership Committee. Chancellor also is a 2014 Goin’ Green Orientation Leader. He volunteers as a Spanish translator for Cahaba Valley Health Care and is an ACT mentor with the Birmingham Education Foundation. He is the son of Scott and Regina Chancellor.
Ethan Gissendaner, 20, is a junior from Eufaula, Alabama, majoring in health care management. He is a member of the Global and Community Leadership Honors Program. A resident assistant, Gissendaner is also the chapter president for Alpha Tau Omega and an intern with UAB Digital Media. He volunteers as Read-a-thon coordinator for Desert Island Supply Company and at Gentiva Hospice. He is the son of Jim and Tracy Gissendaner.
Chirag Patel, 19, is a sophomore from Enterprise, Alabama, majoring in chemistry. He is a recipient of the Golden Excellence Scholarship. A UAB TrailBlazer, Patel is the director of Spirit and Traditions, is a member of Pi Kappa Phi, is in the Experiential Learning Scholars Program, and volunteers with Desert Island Supply Company. He is the son of Yogesh and Bharti Patel.