Honoree, Plastics History and Artifacts Program, Plastics Pioneers Association (named one of fewer than a thousand individuals worldwide who have had the greatest impact on the history of plastics) (2001)
Chemical Pioneer Award, from the American Institute of Chemists (national lifetime achievement award) (2019)
Roy T. Gottesman Leadership Award, from the Vinyl Institute (first recipient from academia of national lifetime achievement award inaugurated in 1997) (2016)
Invited interviewee, Virginia Tech Oral History Project (vtstories.org)(first honoree associated with the Virginia Tech Department of Chemistry) (2018)
Hall of Distinction, Virginia Tech College of Science (inaugural honoree; the only chemist selected) (2013)
Outstanding Alumnus, Georgia Tech School of Chemistry and Biochemistry (inaugural recipient) (2012)
D.Sc. (honoris causa) (2013), Distinguished Alumni Scholar (2009), Union College, KY
Elliott Weinberg Vinyl Communications Award, from the Society of Plastics Engineers, Vinyl Plastics Division [inaugural recipient of national lifetime achievement award (2011); co-recipient with former student Dr. X. Ge (2014)]
Technical Contributions to Vinyl Award, from the Society of Plastics Engineers, Vinyl Plastics Division (first recipient from academia of national lifetime achievement award inaugurated in 1982) (2009)
Charter inductee, Southwest Virginia Walk of Fame (2008)
ANTEC Best Technical Paper national award, from the Society of Plastics Engineers, Vinyl Plastics Division (2011)
Senior author, ANTEC Best Paper national award (2009) and Mentor, ANTEC Best Student Paper national award (2007), from the Society of Plastics Engineers, Vinyl Plastics Division
Thesis Advisor national awards, from the Society of Plastics Engineers, Vinyl Plastics Division (1996, 1998)
Excellence in Innovation Award, from the Hampton Roads Technology Council (2004)
38th Annual Honor Scroll Award, from the American Institute of Chemists (New Jersey) (1989)
Commission, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (2009)
Fellow, Society of Plastics Engineers (2001)
Fellow, New York Academy of Sciences (1997)
Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (1975)
Fellow (1973) and Life Fellow (1977), American Institute of Chemists
Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in America