BGSU junior attributes successful summer co-op at Honda to University’s strong engineering program

Junior Adrien Tolento leveraged his AutoCAD and machining skills throughout the co-op

By Laren Kowalczyk ‘07

Growing up, Bowling Green State University junior Adrien Tolento often tagged along with his dad to fix cars, fascinated by the systematic, step-by-step processes used to take something from broken to operational.

Those experiences led to an interest in engineering, and this summer, Tolento found himself in familiar territory during a co-op at auto industry giant Honda.

Tolento, a first-generation college student and Thompson Working Families Scholar, worked at the company’s engine plant in Anna, Ohio, south of Lima, on various projects that bolstered his engineering knowledge and reaffirmed the industry relevance of the mechanical and manufacturing engineering degree at BGSU.

“Everything I’ve learned so far at BGSU directly translated to my co-op experience,” he said. “One of the strengths of this program is the foundation you build beginning on day one. BGSU prepares you for what you’ll experience in the professional world.”

The mechanical and manufacturing engineering degree is among the three reimagined engineering programs BGSU now offers in the School of Engineering. The programs are strategically aligned to meet evolving industry demands through a focus on science and the application of engineering.

The innovative degree programs aim to bridge the gap between conventional engineering and cutting-edge technology to ensure BGSU students graduate with the skills employers seek.

Tolento’s journey to a co-op at Honda began his freshman year when he met with company representatives at a career expo hosted by the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections.

Although he didn’t receive an offer that year, Tolento returned to the career expo the following year, underscoring the value of establishing professional connections while still in college.

During the co-op, Tolento strengthened his computer-aided design and engineering knowledge, leveraging his classroom experience with AutoCAD and Solidworks. He led a project to design an aluminum safety guard for a machine, which required collaboration with numerous departments at the facility.

Mark Wendel, a Honda staff engineer and Tolento’s direct supervisor, said the BGSU junior was diligent, knowledgeable and understood the importance of collaboration across teams. For the guarding project, Tolento worked with the safety team to ensure it was designed correctly, quoted material costs through the equipment manufacturer and prepared for installation. 

“Adrien was engaged every day and eager to learn,” Wendel said. “This guarding design project is something we’ve wanted to do for a while. Bringing on a student for a co-op is a win-win for Honda and the student. Adrien did a great job, and we’ll definitely look to BGSU in the future for engineering co-ops.”