for
Teaching Innovation, Research and Civic Engagement
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| Widener University President James T. Harris III (left) and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Stephen C. Wilhite (right) congratulate award winners Jill Black and Scott Van Bramer |
Widener University on Thursday
honored the top faculty in the areas of teaching innovation, research, and
civic engagement at its annual Faculty Awards Banquet. Dr. Jill Black,
assistant professor of physical therapy; and Dr. Scott Van Bramer, professor of
chemistry, garnered top honors at the event coordinated by the Office of
Teaching, Learning and Assessment.
“I share the external reviewers’
commendation of our faculty’s remarkable contributions and take great delight
in being associated with each and every one of them,” said Stephen C. Wilhite,
senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “I am honored to
champion their dedication to their students and their constant pursuit of
excellence.”
Black, a resident of Claymont, Del.,
received both the Outstanding Researcher Award and the Faculty Award for Civic
Engagement.
The Outstanding Researcher Award
recognizes a faculty member who is acknowledged nationally for his/her research
and scholarship, quality of scholarly work, contribution to the
profession/discipline and contribution to promoting the university’s mission
and vision. Dr. Itzick Vatnick, professor of biology and environmental science;
and Dr. Ning Wang, professor of education, were honored as nominees.
The Faculty Award for Civic
Engagement recognizes a faculty member’s contributions to Widener’s civic
engagement mission, especially the contribution to students’ understanding of
their social responsibilities, and the impact of their disciplinary learning in
a particular program involving community constituencies. The winner of the
award is selected from the finalists for the Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching
Award and the Outstanding Researcher Award. Dr. Vatnick was honored as a
nominee.
Black’s research focuses on
exploring cultural issues and community engagement in physical therapy. She
contributed to the creation and operation of the Chester Community Physical
Therapy Clinic, the first student-led, stand-alone pro bono physical therapy
clinic in the United States.
Black’s article highlighting the
model for the clinic is published in the journal Physical Therapy. This
model has been used by at least 10 other physical therapy graduate programs to
establish their own student-led physical therapy clinics.
Black has utilized quantitative and
qualitative methodologies to research and provide evidence in support of
community engagement, service-learning, international clinical education and
student-led pro bono services in physical therapy. Black has 23 publications in
peer-reviewed journals, and more than 25 professional presentations related to
her scholarly works. She has also contributed several book chapters and
monographs, served as co-editor of a textbook on cultural competency in
physical therapy, and as assistant editor of special topic issue on the
internationalization of physical therapy in The Journal of Physical Therapy
Education.
Black earned a doctorate in
physical therapy from Widener, a doctorate of education in curriculum and
instruction, a master of science in exercise science, and a bachelor of science
in physical therapy from the University of Delaware.
Van Bramer, a resident of
Wilmington, Del., received the Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching Award, which
recognizes a faculty member who has designed and implemented an innovative or
experimental teaching/learning project. Dr. Robert Bonk, professor of
professional writing; and Dr. Brent Satterly, associate professor of social
work, were honored as nominees.
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