Marathon Petroleum Company LP, which is headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, recently made a gift of $5,000 to the Ohio Northern University T.J. Smull College of Engineering as part of Marathon’s Adopt-A-College program. The funds will be used to support student organization activities in ONU’s College of Engineering, particularly student design competitions.

The endeavor is beneficial to both organizations and recognizes the long-lasting connection between Marathon and ONU. Marathon has recruited numerous ONU engineering students for co-op positions and graduates for career opportunities. Marathon design coordinator Amy Pierce, a 2009 ONU graduate who majored in mechanical engineering, was involved with the recent check presentation to her alma mater.

The partnership also has value for ONU’s College of Engineering by keeping it connected to the industry and providing students with professional opportunities.

“This ongoing relationship with Marathon Petroleum Company has been invaluable in offering ONU engineering students the type of experiences that bridge the classrooms and labs with the profession,” College of Engineering Dean Eric Baumgartner said. “This is an essential component of the high-impact learning experience that defines the College of Engineering and gives its students an edge in their academic and career pursuits.”

ONU and Marathon share an interest in providing engineering students with experiential opportunities such as cooperative education or co-ops.

“You cannot overestimate the value of these types of situations. Co-ops and similar experiences build upon the technical knowledge that students gain in the classroom and help them put those concepts into practice while further developing problem-solving skills,” Pierce said. “The students are able to apply their knowledge to real-world experiences they will encounter in the workplace.”

These co-ops often result in positive outcomes for all involved.

“The Adopt-A-College program is focused on identifying and recruiting individuals who may eventually join our team at Marathon,” Pierce said. “For example, one of the main functions of a starting engineer is project management. Through co-ops, we look to refine traits that are needed for this, such as interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with contractors. This is something the ONU College of Engineering also stresses.”

For Pierce, being involved with both her employer and her alma mater is particularly rewarding.

“It is especially fulfilling. Plus, based on my own experience, I know we will find good students at ONU,” Pierce said. “It is gratifying to see students you recruited on campus now succeeding as Marathon employees.”