The Distinguished Professor Award was established in 1983 and is given in recognition of significant achievement in teaching, scholarship and service. Recipients a stipend underwritten by generous donors to the USI Foundation.
| 2023 | Jill Raisor '03 | Education |
| 2022 | Melissa Stacer | Criminal Justice |
| 2021 | No award given. | |
| 2020 | Silvia Rode | World Languages and Culture |
| 2019 | Ernest H. Hall, Jr. | Management |
| 2018 | Glenna G. Bower '95 | Kinesiology and Sport |
| 2017 | Stephen C. Zehr | Sociology |
| 2016 | Kathy V. Rodgers | Mathematics |
| 2015 | Kathryn M. Waters | Art |
| 2014 | Kent W. Scheller | Physics |
| 2013 | Robert E. Boostrom | Teacher Education |
| 2012 | Paul A. Kuban | Engineering |
| 2011 | Barbara A. Davis | Nursing |
| 2010 | Brian L. McGuire | Accounting |
| 2009 | Kevin J. Valadares | Health Services |
| 2008 | Sherry Bevins Darrell | |
| 2007 | Paul Doss | Geology |
| 2006 | No award given. | |
| 2005 | Timothy J. Schibik | Economics |
| 2004 | Gene Freudenburg | Mathematics |
| 2003 | John McNaughton | Art |
| 2002 | Marie G. Hankins | Chemistry |
| 2001 | Aimee Luebben | Occupational Therapy |
| 2000 | John Gottcent | English and University Core Coordinator |
| 1999 | Oscar Ozete | Spanish |
| 1998 | Mehmet C. Kocakulah | Accounting |
| 1997 | James H. Bandoli | Biology |
| 1996 | No award given. | |
| 1995 | Charles F. Petranek | Sociology |
| 1994 | Daniel C. Scavone | History |
| 1993 | Augustine Jay Fredrich | Civil Engineering Technology |
| 1992 | Aldo Cardarelli | Teacher Education |
| 1991 | Marlene V. Shaw | Biology |
| 1990 | Charles L. Price | Science Education |
| 1989 | Darrel E. Bigham | History |
| 1988 | No award given. | |
| 1987 | Melvin W. Denner | Biology |
| 1986 | Wanda Hibbitts | Accounting |
| 1985 | Howard E. Dunn | Chemistry |
| 1984 | Donald E. Pitzer | History |
| 1983 | Daniel A. Miller | History |