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Dr. William Chirdon is an associate professor of chemical engineering whose areas of research encompass polymers, plastics, heat transfer, and sustainable materials. He also serves as the graduate coordinator for the chemical engineering master’s degree program.

The Graduate School has selected Chirdon as a recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Master’s Mentor Award.

“Dr. Chirdon is known to be knowledgeable, respectful, challenging, fair, compassionate, and approachable. He always has the best interest of his students in mind, challenging them to be future leaders in industry and chemical engineering education,” says Dr. Rafael Hernandez, J. Madison Nelson/BORSF Professor and department head for the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Mentoring students has been a highlight during Chirdon’s 16 years as a faculty member at UL Lafayette. To date, he has served as a primary advisor for 14 master’s students and three doctoral students.

“While I thoroughly enjoy leaving my mark in my field through papers and patents, I truly feel that my greatest legacy will be left through my mentorship of the next generations of engineers, scientists, business leaders, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals who have passed through this program,” he says.

Chirdon views his mentorship of students as a long-term relationship with far-reaching impacts, looking ahead to the time when “the students of today will be professionals of tomorrow upon which the University will depend on for financial, political, and vocal support.”

Past students, he notes, have maintained a close relationship to the department, including assisting with recruiting and co-writing proposals with his research group.

By meeting regularly with his graduate students and continuously providing feedback, Chirdon ensures they “are always seen, heard, respected, and appreciated.” This has been particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been intent on providing the extra support students need to “navigate through the manifold adversities caused by the pandemic.”

“I have done my best to mentor my students through these difficult times by dedicating my energy, empathy, and my own brand of humor,” he says.