Tennessee Tech Associate Chemistry Professor Dr. William R. Carroll has been named the 2024 Distinguished College/University Teacher of the Year by the Tennessee Academy of Science.
The award is given to a university professor in Tennessee who demonstrates significant contributions to science education, research, and intellectual growth in the state. Carroll said his work consisted of having organic chemistry students work together so they would feel they would have an extra resource to go to.
“For me, I was doing this for the students, and it just, you know, happened to be that I was recognized by the Tennessee Academy of Sciences,” Carroll said. “And that was something that I was really honored, because my peers wrote letters supporting me for this. So my peers also recognize what I was doing.”
Carroll said his efforts made his courses more engaging for students. Carroll said more engagement provides a better learning experience for all students.
“I mentioned organic chemistry as a class has a reputation,” Carroll said. “When we communicate better, and when we share an expectation of what we are trying to do, when we have a shared vision on what we are trying to achieve, learning how to make molecules, molecules that matter to fight different diseases and make the world better, that’s something that makes the whole class a more pleasant experience.”
Carroll has taught at Tennessee Tech for more than 12 years. Carroll said he and the rest of the professors at Tennessee Tech are committed to innovation and helping students achieve their desired careers.
“I like to think that we help students find and open doors towards careers they care about,” Carroll said. “If we have a student who is looking to be a chemical engineer, or a doctor, or a pharmacist, or wherever they are going, we want them to find their passion in that area and have the experiences they need at Tech to open the door to that area.”
Carroll also said with the help of students and retired Tech Chemistry Professor Ed Lisic, they were able to produce a publication about small molecules that could be used to fight cancer.
