An NIU student was one of 26 winners chosen out of several hundred national candidates presented with a $1,000 Carnation Merchandiser Scholarship award Tuesday.

Bill Graham, a sociology major, was chosen as the outstanding merchandiser in the Chicago region for his “excellent performance” during his internship with the company.

Graham was presented with a framed certificate and a check by Carnation Company representative Lisa Schaff.

Graham said, “It (the internship) was good preparation for my major. I hope to go into sales so it was an excellent opportunity.”

Schaff, Carnation ice cream specialist, said, “The ice cream season is relatively short so merchandisers are very important to our program.”

Graham said it was his job to route a specific territory and approach grocery stores in the area to market Carnation products.

Schaff said the company was not looking for specific majors. “Once you’re hired it really makes no difference what your major is, we were looking for good people-skills and progressiveness in our merchandisers.” She also said one thing she looks for when hiring is good writing skills.

Sociology Chairman William Minor said, “More companies are much more interested in liberal arts majors than they used to be. A lot of our students have been going into business positions and the feedback has been pretty good.”

Minor said, “We (sociology) have a departmental writing requirement. All majors should require some type of writing class.”

Schaff said, “The Merchandiser Scholarship award was initiated this year and will be offered again next spring and summer.”

She said the internships call for students who are relatively mature because the position requires very little supervision.

Cooperative Education Associate Director Virginia McKeefery-Reynolds said, “Students interested in internships can be eligible for credit through the Cooperative Education office.”