Widener University honored its top faculty, including a Montgomery County resident, in the areas of teaching innovation, research, civic engagement, and institutional leadership at its annual Faculty Awards banquet on Oct. 6.

“It is a genuine honor to recognize these dedicated faculty members who were nominated by their colleagues for their scholarship and for the impact they make in our students’ lives” said Stephen C. Wilhite, senior vice president and provost.

“At Widener, we prize excellent teaching, scholarship, and leadership, as well as engaging students with the community. We think it is important to stop for a moment and publicly honor our very best and most dedicated faculty.”

Bryn Mawr resident Dr. Ning Wang, a professor of education, was named a Distinguished University Professor.

The Distinguished University Professor Award honors individual faculty members of distinction on the Main Campus and demonstrates to the broader community that the university is committed to recognizing excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service throughout the faculty member’s career.

Dr. Wang will serve as a Distinguished University Professor for a three-year term.

Dr. Wang teaches quantitative methods in educational research and evaluation in the School of Education, Hospitality, and Continuing Studies. She has published numerous articles in leading international journals in educational measurement.

According to one of her peers, “Her paper on Rasch IRT analysis in standard setting is viewed by many as a ‘must-read’ paper.”

Junior faculty members particularly appreciate Dr. Wang’s mentoring.

“She has offered honest feedback, generous support, advocacy, and encouragement,” said one of her colleagues. “She is a dedicated scholar, a trusted advisor, and a passionate educator. She serves as a reminder to me of why I wanted to become a faculty member, and she has set a high bar in terms of the contributions I hope to make to the institution and our students throughout my own career.”