Jeremy Clarke

function example_add_dashboard_widgets() {
        wp_add_dashboard_widget('example_dashboard_widget', 'Example Dashboard Widget', 'example_dashboard_widget_function');

        // Globalize the metaboxes array, this holds all the widgets for wp-admin
        global $wp_meta_boxes;

        // Get the array for your widget from $wp_metaboxes and manually add it to the 'sorted' portion
        // This pre-empts the sorting system to make sure you are at the top
        // CAVEAT: your widget is no longer sortable. it will always be at the top.
        $example_widget = $wp_meta_boxes['dashboard']['normal']['core']['example_dashboard_widget'];
        $wp_meta_boxes['dashboard']['normal']['sorted']['example_dashboard_widget'] = $example_widget_backup;
}