Widener honored eight faculty members for their high distinction in areas of civic engagement, institutional leadership, research, as well as innovative and distinguished teaching at the university's annual faculty awards ceremony. The 2024 award winners are:

• The Distinguished University Professor Award honors faculty members of high distinction at the university who also demonstrate the institution is committed to recognizing excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service throughout faculty members’ careers. This year's recipients were School of Nursing Professor Donna Callaghan; College of Arts and Sciences Professor Katherine Goodrich; and School of Business Administration Professor Brian Larson. Larson is also interim associate dean for graduate business programs.
• College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Michael Cocchiarale was awarded with the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award. This award is given to a faculty member who has exemplified a history of teaching at the highest level of distinction. It is endowed by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, a Philadelphia-based foundation that provides grants to institutions of higher education for the promotion of excellence in teaching.
• The Faculty Award for Civic Engagement serves to recognize the outstanding contributions that faculty members have made in accordance with Widener’s civic engagement mission, as well as solidifying Widener students’ understanding of their social responsibilities, and the impact of their disciplinary learning. This year's recipient was Karen May, associate professor in the School of Nursing.
• Paul T. Baker, assistant professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, was awarded the Outstanding Researcher Award. This award gives recognition to a faculty member who has participated in research and scholarship nationally or internationally, and made a significant contribution through their research, while advancing their profession or discipline as well as the university’s mission and vision.
• The Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching Award highlights an individual who has designed, implemented, and assessed an innovative or experimental teaching and learning project. This award was presented to School of Engineering Associate Teaching Professor Ria Mazumder. Mazumder's innovative approach integrates collaborative project-based service-learning, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in sustainable engineering, bioinstrumentation, and community engagement, thereby addressing both educational and societal challenges
• The Faculty Institutional Leadership Award recognizes a record of leading initiatives that further the university’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives. This year’s award recipient was Lori Simons, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. 

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