International Programs is pleased to announce that David A. Hamod (BA political science ‘81), an advocate for U.S. businesses overseas and champion of American citizens abroad, and Richard J. Tyner (BA French, political science '70), an international business lawyer by trade and staunch proponent of international education, are the winners of the 2024 International Impact Award.
Hamod is currently president and CEO of the National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce (NUSACC), the No. 1 commercial bridge between the U.S. and the Middle East and North Africa. In addition to receiving his BA from the University of Iowa (UI), Hamod received an MA from the Johns Hopkins University School of International Studies.
Hamod’s professional career has revolved around such global entities as the Brookings Institution, IBM, New York Times, OECD (Paris), and the World Bank. Hamod has also testified before the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives on numerous occasions.
“I am humbled to return to Iowa City – my hometown – to receive this prestigious award dedicated to international understanding,” said Hamod. “This is a great honor for me and my family, one that I proudly accept on behalf of Americans abroad, who serve as ‘ambassadors’ for our country all over the globe.”
Hamod was nominated for this award by American Council of Life Insurers President & CEO Susan Neely, who highlighted his leadership of NUSACC, his support for American citizens overseas, and his service to others, including how he has improved lives through humanitarian projects abroad, the innovative 40-foot mobile medical bus for Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C., and the establishment of scholarships for UI students.
“In the spirit of what he learned at Iowa, David has blazed his own trail around the world,” said Neely. “His international understanding is unparalleled, in my experience, and David’s respect for other peoples and cultures has served to guide him globally as an entrepreneur, business leader, proponent for Americans abroad, advocate for humanitarian causes, and longtime supporter of Iowa.”
Tyner grew up on a farm south of Shenandoah in southwest Iowa. After graduating from Iowa, he was awarded a Marshall Scholarship to complete an MA in government at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, then completed a PhD in international relations at the London School of Economics. He then received a JD from Yale Law School. After passing the California Bar, he joined a large law firm in San Francisco, but soon went international, practicing law for many years in Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as well as in Paris, France, and finally Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“Because my life has been so deeply impacted by international interests and experiences,” remarked Tyner, “I want new generations of Iowa students also to have international opportunities. To that end, I have endowed scholarships in the Honors Program, International Relations, French, and International Programs. I hope that the international impact from which I have benefitted, as illustrated by this award, can in turn serve to impact and inspire others to commence their own international journeys."
Tyner was nominated by UI Center for Advancement Executive Director of Planned Giving Susan Hagan, who highlighted his early global experiences and illustrious career in international business law. Additionally, Hagan illustrated the ways in which Tyner has helped UI students start their own global journeys—through mentoring, study abroad scholarships, and assistance with conference attendance and living expenses.
“His incredible generosity has provided support for dozens of students over the years, including nearly 20 who have used his International Programs scholarship to fund study abroad to such countries as Spain, Germany, Uruguay, and Scotland,” said Hagan. “Richard’s scholarship winners have gone on to win other prestigious awards, including Fulbright awards and Critical Language Scholarships.”
The International Impact Award, established by UI International Programs in 2010, recognizes distinguished alumni and other individuals with significant ties to Iowa who have made sustained and deep contributions internationally or in the U.S. to promote global understanding.
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.