Four students are several hundred dollars richer, thanks to their interterm internships and the new Baker Organizational Observation for Knowledge program.

The program, more commonly referred to as BOOK, awarded $1,500 to senior Kendra Cody for her presentation about her internship at Frito-Lay in Topeka.

Junior Matthew Mills, sophomore Renea Lindberg and senior Josh McDaniel were named outstanding merit winners in the competition and took home $500 each.

Professor of Business and Economics Kevin McCarthy said Assistant Professor of Business and Economics John Pepper came up with the original idea for BOOK.

McCarthy said the $3,000 funding came from University President Pat Long’s Vision Fund.

“It is part of her program to enhance experiential learning,” he said.

Twenty students began the process, but only nine actually completed presentations. In order to be eligible to give presentations, students were required to get out of their area of the companies and ask questions to employees in all fields.

The nine students gave their presentations to a six-judge panel Feb. 17. Wade served as one of the judges, and she said the winner was obvious.

“Kendra’s presentation had so much depth,” she said. “She answered every section of the questions thoroughly and hit every subject. Afterwards, we all agreed she was outstanding.”

Although the program originated in the business and economics department, McCarthy said it is open to students in all majors.

“In fact, two of our four winners were not business majors,” he said.

He also said the department is considering implementing a similar program for summer internships this year.

Sophomore Dana Hacker said she will participate if the program is offered again.

“It sounds like a good experience,” she said. “I think it would help me make an internship even better.”