UA Student Receives Award for Focus on International Issues

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Brandon Hooks, president of the Alabama International Relations Club at The University of Alabama, was recently presented with the UNA-USA Greater Birmingham Chapter Campus Leadership Award at the United Nations 70th anniversary banquet in Birmingham.

Hooks, of Wetumpka, was nominated for the award by his fellow club members and selected for his proven record of furthering international education and encouraging others to seek solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.

Hooks formed an award-winning Model United Nations program at UA, directing committees, participating in debates on and off campus, writing and publishing background guides for the International Model United Nations Association and presiding as the secretary-general of the Alabama Model United Nations Conference. He has also organized events to promote awareness for International Women’s Week, International Peace Day and refugee awareness on campus. Hooks, who serves as resident adviser for the UA Honors housing community, personally provides campus tours and visits for groups of international high school students who come to the Capstone on State Department leadership scholarships.

“Through all of Brandon’s personal efforts, the AIRC is very well regarded among the international scholars in our chapter, said Rebecca Kinney, UNA-USA Greater Birmingham Chapter president. “We are honored to give him this award, and know that the works that this young man has already accomplished have had a positive impact with youth here and around the world.”