Academic Advisory Committee Member. Academy of Tourism and Leisure. Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
2015-2016 Pengcheng Scholar. Shenzhen Tourism College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
2014 National Distinguished Professional Award. National Recreation and Park Association.
2014 Best Paper Award. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. Liechty, T., Andrew Mowen, A. Payne, L. Henderson, K. Bocarro, J., Bruton, C. and G. Godbey.
2013, 2014, 2015 Sir Yue-Kong Pao Visiting Professor Asia Pacific Center for the Study of Leisure, Zhejiang University, China
2014 World Leisure Visiting Scholar, Vancouver Island University
2013 Listing in Encyclopedia of Play and Playgrounds
2012 Honorary degree: Doctor of Humane Letters. State University of New York: Cortland. May.
2011 Distinguished Alumni Award. Penn State University. College of Health and Human Development.
2011 Distinguished Alumni Award. Penn State University. Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management.
2001 Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt Award for Excellence in Recreation and Park Research.
1999 Allan V. Sapora Research Award, University of Illinois.
1996 Robert Crawford Lecture, NRPA Congress, Kansas City, MO.
1992 National Literary Award, National Recreation and Park Association.
1991 Jay B. Nash Scholar, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.
1990 Distinguished Fellow Award, Society of Park and Recreation Educators.
1990 Elected to membership in American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.
1989 Distinguished Visiting Professor, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, February.
1988 Distinguished Visiting Professor, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, April - May.
1988-1989 President - Society of Park and Recreation Educators.
1987 - 1990 Board of Directors, World Leisure and Recreation Association.
1987 - 1988 President, Academy of Leisure Sciences.
1987 Scholar in Residence, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, March.
1987 Distinguished Alumnus Award, New York State University, College at Cortland.
1986 Visiting Scholars Program, Brock University, St. Catherine, Ontario, Canada, February.
1986 National Literary Award, National Recreation and Parks Association.
1980 Founding Member of Academy of Leisure Sciences.
1978 Society of Park and Recreation Educators, Distinguished Service Award.
1974 University of Waterloo, Recreation Student Association Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Recreation Students.