Dn. Patrick Hirl

Deacon Hirl graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Following graduation, he was commissioned an officer in the US Navy and served aboard the nuclear submarine USS PITTSBURG (SSN-720). In 1993, Dn Hirl returned to the University of Notre Dame to pursue a doctoral degree in civil engineering focusing on biological waste treatment and bioremediation. Following graduation, he has taught at the University of Illinois Chicago, the University of Minnesota, and University of St Thomas. Dn Hirl has been a practicing professional engineer for the past 25 years working on projects from bioremediation of soil and groundwater, to treatment of industrial wastewater, and renewable energy. His experience spans the full gamut of engineering from process development, laboratory studies, pilot studies, conceptual/preliminary design, detailed design, construction, commissioning, startup, operation, and troubleshooting. Dn Hirl has received patents for the integration of anaerobic digestion into ethanol facilities for improved energy efficiency. He was ordained a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church in 2017.

Degrees