Donald J. Sterling, Jr., Senior Research Fellowship in Pacific Northwest History, Oregon Historical Society, 2022
Kilian McDonnell Fellowship in Faith and Culture, Collegeville Institute, St. John’s University, MN, Spring 2019
Resident Writer, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China, Fall 2018
Notable Essay (“The Story Catcher”), Best American Essays 2018
John Eliot Allen Outstanding Teacher Award, English Department, Portland State University, 2002-2003, 2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2011-2012, 2016-17
Contemporary Authors, vol. 400, Gale Group, 2017
Lenna Endowed Visiting Professorship, St. Bonaventure University, NY, Spring 2017
Finalist, Biography/Memoir, Washington State Book Awards, 2016
Finalist, Religion Nonfiction Book Award, Religion News Association, 2016
Honorable Mention, Biography Book Award, Catholic Press Association, 2016
Excellence in Publishing Award, Biography, Association of Catholic Publishers, 2016
Selected Book, AAUP University Press Books for Public and Secondary Libraries, 2016 (one of only two biographies and 10 nonfiction books in American Literature)
Special Mention (“A Gyroscope on the Island of Love”), Pushcart Prize 2013
Notable Essay (“A Gyroscope on the Island of Love”), Best American Essays 2013
Artist of the Month, Image literary journal, March 2012
Resident Scholar, Collegeville Institute, St. John’s University, MN, Fall 2011
Leslie Bradshaw Fellowship in Nonfiction Writing, Oregon Literary Arts, 2010
Walden Residency Fellowship, Southern Oregon University, 2001
Literary Award Grant, Illinois Arts Council, 2000
Daniel Curley Award for Best Short Fiction, Illinois Arts Council, 2000
Who’s Who In America, Who’s Who in American Education, Dictionary of American Scholars