MADISON – Alex Clark and Viral Patel of Madison will represent the University of Alabama at Birmingham as TrailBlazers during the upcoming 2018-2019 academic year.

Clark is a freshman majoring in accounting in Collat School of Business. His parents are Deena and Frank Clark of Madison.

Also in Collat School of Business, Patel is a freshman finance major, with a minor in health care management. His parents Vimala and Pravin Patel are Madison residents.

The TrailBlazer Student Recruitment Team assists the Division of Enrollment Management by providing in-depth information about UAB to prospective students and their families. The TrailBlazers conduct campus tours, meet with prospective and admitted students and participate in receptions and UAB preview day programs.

“TrailBlazers are an important group on campus and must represent UAB in a positive light at all times, whether on duty or off duty,” public relations specialist Shannon Thomason said. TrailBlazers must be comfortable speaking to students and others from all walks of life and sharing their stories and experiences about UAB.

“The TrailBlazers are key in forming a positive first impression of UAB for prospective students and faculty, as well as other visitors and dignitaries on our campus,” UAB President Ray L. Watts said. “As knowledgeable and gracious ambassadors for our university, they play a central role in recruiting the best and brightest to UAB and assisting in the college-decision process.”

TrailBlazers are chosen through a competitive application and interview process. Applications are typically available beginning in November and are usually due in January.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center, as well as Alabama’s largest employer with some 23,000 employees. UAB’s annual economic impact exceeds $7 billion on the state.

For more information, visit uab.edu or Facebook/UAB.