Posted on August 30, 2004 at 10:58 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Two undergraduate students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have been selected to present scholarly papers at the International Studies Association-South annual conference, October 22-24, in Columbia, South Carolina. The students selected to present papers are Mila Heersink, 20, and Mary Hawkins, 22.

Selection was based on abstracts submitted by the students in June. Heersink and Hawkins also were awarded scholarships of $100 each and a small stipend from the International Studies Association-South.

“This is the first time that UAB undergraduate students have participated in this prestigious, professional conference,” said Nikolaos Zahariadis, Ph.D., an associate professor of political science who directs UAB’s International Studies Program. “This is not a conference designed [for] undergraduate students, but [for] professors, which makes the students’ accomplishment even more exciting.”

Heersink, a senior international studies major, will present her paper, which analyzes the effectiveness of Uganda’s ABC program to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. A native of Dothan, Heersink is a graduate of Houston Academy and a student in UAB’s Early Medical School Acceptance Program. She plans to enter medical school next year. She is the daughter of Marnix and Mary Heersink of Dothan.

Hawkins is a senior seeking a double major in political science and philosophy. She will deliver a paper analyzing several popular theories that attempt to explain the actions of governments and human behavior. The Chicago native plans to enter graduate school and eventually become a journalist. Hawkins is a graduate of Homewood High School and is the daughter of Amanda Deason of Homewood.