Michael C. Hirschi is a professor emeritus of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is also a senior sustainability advisor at Agrible, Inc., in Champaign, Illinois and is being honored for outstanding contributions to the education of young engineers through teaching, advising, mentoring, and accreditation activities.

While at the University of Illinois, Hirschi served as an assistant, associate, and full professor. He also served as assistant dean of undergraduate programs in The Grainger College of Engineering where he was responsible for undergraduate scholarships, donor stewardship, advising students, and accreditation details.

Hirschi is author or coauthor of more than 160 peer-reviewed books, book chapters, conference proceedings, manuals, and other articles. Additionally, Hirschi has made more than 500 presentations on behalf of University of Illinois Extension. He has received six ASABE Educational Aids Blue Ribbon awards and has also received many awards for teaching and work in extension from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign College of Agriculture and College of Agricultural, Environmental, and Consumer Sciences. Hirschi was made an Honorary Knight of St. Pat at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign College of Engineering in 2008 and has served as St. Pat, knighting engineering undergraduates selected for that honor since 2009.