Being pushed out of his comfort zone is what Grant Epstein wanted from UToledo.
And it more than fulfilled those expectations, said Epstein, who graduates May 6 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: UToledo recognizes the Class of 2023 with a series of stories featuring students receiving their degrees at spring commencement.
“I got into both the University of Cincinnati and UToledo. Both had good engineering programs and both had mandatory co-op programs,” he said. “The biggest thing that drew me to UToledo was the fact that I wanted to venture out. My brother and some friends were going to UC. I could see myself getting stuck in Cincinnati after college. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I wanted to explore the world.”
And explore the world, he did.
Epstein, who went to William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio, near Cincinnati, got involved with UToledo’s study abroad program and spent a semester in Turin, Italy, the fourth largest city in Italy and a place of immense culture.
“I would highly recommend studying abroad to anyone who can do it,” he said. “It was not part of my major but counted about nine credit hours toward my gen-ed course requirements, but UToledo helped me see the world through the eyes of engineers because of the great courses offered. I went with my friend, Nick Lombardi. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life. I met so many people and experienced so many different cultures.
“When I first came to The University of Toledo, I knew only one other person here. I did not know if I had made the right choice and I missed my friends and family back in Cincinnati. That forced me to leave my dorm every day and figure out how I was going to make my life more exciting. This pushed me to join Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, get involved in student government (where he became Student Government vice president), and become an advocate for smart sustainability thanks to Mike Green’s Green Fund — as well as studying abroad. Without leaving my hometown, I probably would have been content, but never pushed myself.”
People like Dr. Sammy Spann, vice president of student affairs and dean of students, helped Epstein in his quest for a larger life.
Grant Epstein, who went to William Mason High School in Mason, Ohio, near Cincinnati, got involved with UToledo’s study abroad program and spent a semester in Turin, Italy.
“Dr. Spann was an advisor for student government. He was an encouraging leader and was someone to look up to,” Epstein said. “You would tell him an idea and he would never shoot it down; rather, he would work with you to make it happen — and he’s also just a nice guy.”
Dr. Spann added: “Grant is an amazing student who understands that ‘Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone’ and with this understanding, he will go far in life. Grant has always been a curious student and that curiosity has brought him a long way. I am so proud of the contributions he’s given the University as VP of Student Government, and I can’t wait to see the contributions he will give as an alum.”
Grant also shared what an impact Dr. Adam Schroeder, an assistant lecturer in mechanical engineering, had on him.
“Dr. Schroeder was someone who inspired his students. He always wanted you to learn the fundamentals of something before diving into anything else. He also taught extremely interesting courses like Matlab and Autonomous Vehicles Technology. These topics also tie into his lab that deals with swarm robotics — really fascinating stuff.”
“Grant is a stellar student and a good person whom I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know,” Dr. Schroeder said. “He has solid technical skills, an openness to learning and compassion for members of his community, which together make up a well-rounded engineer.”
As for his plans after graduation, Grant has several job offers, and still has interviews lined up.
“The co-op program allowed me to learn about what I like doing and, more importantly, what I don’t like doing. This allowed me to pick jobs that pique my interest.”
Grant’s advice for other students: “College is about falling into the mud and having the people around you lift you back up to become more resilient. Pushing forward, I forced myself into situations where I didn’t always have the answer. I came out of it as a more confident person, a good listener and a grateful person. The University of Toledo gave me new passions, from robotics/automation to advocating for those who do not have a voice.”
