Baker announces 2018 BOOK Award winners

Baker University announced the 2018 BOOK Award winners in a ceremony last month. During the Baker Organizational Observation for Knowledge program, students intensify their internship experience by interviewing managers, department heads, and CEOs to learn more about the organization. During the competition for cash awards, they make a formal presentation to a panel of professionals and alumni.

The BOOK program began during Baker’s January interterm in 2007 and has continued for 12 summers. To participate in the BOOK program, students enrolled in a summer internship can research and present a profile of their internship organization. Alumni judges rate the presentations based on criteria developed by the Office of Career Services and the Department of Business and Economics. Students are assessed on how well they get to know the business practices and culture of the hosting organization. BOOK participants often expand and enhance their experience by taking the initiative to seek executives who provide further insight as well as context for the various business components within the organization.

“BOOK participants could have chosen to just participate in an internship, and that would have been fine,” said Dr. Darcy Russell, dean of the College and Arts and Sciences. “However, they instead chose the more challenging pathway of participating in the BOOK award program. They chose to do more, to invest in themselves, and in their futures. That is impressive. I congratulate the participants and the award winners on their work and also thank them for representing Baker University so well during their internships.”

Grand-prize winner Caringtyn Julian was one of 33 interns at Lockton this summer. Lockton is an insurance broker, and Julian’s internship was in the Agriculture National Accounts unit. Julian is putting the cash award of $1,500 toward her tuition this semester at Baker.

“Gaining presentation skills, especially in front of a nonpeer panel, is an invaluable experience,” Julian said. “I believe, through BOOK, that Baker students are fully prepared to present themselves in the workforce. This will be a huge talking point in my interviews moving forward. BOOK covered every aspect of a business, giving me a holistic view of my company and a deeper understanding. I was very thankful and excited for the award.”

The following students received Outstanding Merit Awards:

• Cooper Karlin (JAWBATS) $750
• Chloe Rodenbeek (Valeo Behavioral Health) $300
• Mariq Stigler (Burns & McDonnell) $300
• Penny McCowen (Baker Wetlands) $150
• Kyle Barbee (Community America) $150

New this year were two awards for the treatment of issues of social responsibility. The students recognized were Emily Pennington (U.S. Department of Justice) $350,  and Penny McCowen (Baker Wetlands) $150.