 In February 2006 Willie received the Eastern Sociological Society Merit Award, the highest award it can bestow on members.A number of colleges and universities have conferred honorary doctoral degrees upon Willie including Syracuse University, 1992; Haverford College, 2000; Episcopal Divinity School, 2004; Emerson College, 2008, and most recently Morgan State University, 2013.In June 2000 Syracuse University awarded Willie its George Arents Pioneer Medal, the highest alumni honor the University can bestow.