1958
Born to Harry Joseph Ragen and Helen Louise (Abel) Ragen in San Diego, CA.
1980
Earns a Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College.
1983
Achieves a Master of Arts from Princeton University.
1984
Is a lecturer in English at Princeton University until 1988.
1986
Is a lecturer in English at Bryn Mawr College until 1987.
1987
Obtains a Doctor of Philosophy from Princeton University.
1988
Is an associate professor of English at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville until 1993.
1989
Authors “A Wreck on the Road to Damascus.”
1992
Serves as editor of “Papers on Language & Literature” until 2008.
2002
Authors “Tom Wolfe: A Critical Companion.”
2004
Is named a Knight of Justice by the Most Venerable Order of St. John.
2009
Receives the Design Award for Corporate Heraldry from the American Heraldry Society.
2011
Is named Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael of the Wing.
2013
Is honored as professor of English emeritus.
2016
Receives the French decoration, Médaille d’honneur du service (Military Health Service Honour Medal).
2018
Is named Knight Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.
2018
Produces the CD “Words to Music: Songs of Eugene Field” featuring Christine Brewer and Scott Kennebeck.
2019
Is named a Knight of Magisterial Grace by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
2022
Receives a Service Medal of the Order of St. John with 3 bars “for 25 years of service” from HRH, the Duke of Gloucester.
2023
Is honored as Catholic Man of the Year by St. Joseph Media.