Each year, Widener University in Chester recognizes two longstanding employees for their hard work and commitment to the university with the William David Eckard Jr. Award for Distinguished Service.
This year, President Stacey Robertson presented the awards to Mary Allen, executive director of communications, and Paula Heider, assistant to the dean of Widener University Commonwealth Law School.
The Eckard Award was established by William David Eckard III, longtime vice president of administration and finance at Widener University and a 1966 graduate of Pennsylvania Military College. He and his family created the award in memory of his father to help promote and reward excellence at Widener.
The award is given to two employees who have worked for Widener on a full-time basis for at least 10 years and consistently demonstrate an outstanding level of service.
Allen, a Middletown, Delaware resident, joined the Widener community in 2005. Throughout her career at Widener, Allen earned a reputation as a campus leader and trusted partner, leading critical communications that informed and engaged the campus and external community.
Prior to being named executive director of the university-wide communications team, Allen served as public relations officer for the university’s law school operations in Wilmington, Delaware, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
A prolific writer, creative storyteller, and strategist, this award celebrates Allen’s work to expertly craft and deliver intricate communications plans that directly impact institutional priorities and advance Widener’s mission and values.
“Mary’s level of commitment to Widener and its reputation is unmatched and cannot be overstated,” said Greg Potter, associate vice president of University Relations. “Mary never hesitates to go beyond the call of duty for Widener. Whether she is building a strategy to enhance the university’s reputation, commuting to all three of our campuses to serve as on-hand support, or mentoring our student workers, Mary is committed to seeing Widener and the Pride community succeed.”
Heider, a resident of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is known among her colleagues as a cornerstone of the Widener Law Commonwealth community.
For more than 30 years, Heider has demonstrated her dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to the students, faculty, and staff. Among her diverse skill sets, Heider is celebrated as a problem-solver extraordinaire, ensuring that every aspect of campus life runs smoothly. From managing events to mentoring student workers, Heider is the behind-the-scenes conductor who keeps the law school moving forward.
“Paula has long been the glue that ensures the connectedness of our community at Widener Law Commonwealth,” says andré douglas pond cummings, dean of Widener University Commonwealth Law School. “She has proven over and again that if a critical event needs to be planned and executed, or a new faculty or staff member needs to be welcomed and acclimated, she will answer that call with grace, good humor, and precision.”
Widener University is a private, metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention, leadership development, and experiential learning are key components of the Widener experience.
A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener comprises seven schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
