1963
Earns a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from the University of Michigan.
1965
Achieves a Master of Arts from the University of Michigan.
1965
Is a staff archaeologist part of the Missouri Basin Project with the Smithsonian Institution.
1966
Receives the Bobbs Merrill Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Anthropology from the University of Michigan.
1967
Is an instructor of anthropology at Antioch College until 1970.
1971
Is a teaching assistant at the University of South Carolina, Beaufort Regional Campus until 1972.
1973
Is an instructor of anthropology and special assistant to the dean at the University of Michigan-Dearborn until 1975.
1974
Is an assistant, associate and full professor of anthropology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn through today.
1974
Obtains a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Michigan.
1990
Receives a Distinguished Faculty Research Award from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
1991
Receives a Distinguished Faculty Governance Award from the University of Michigan.
1993
Serves as president of the Federation of Small Anthropology Programs until 1997.
1994
Is the William E. Stirton Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn until 2004.
1995
Is honored as a distinguished faculty member by the Michigan Association of Governing Boards.
2000
Receives the Literature Award for a Significant Contribution to Botany or Horticulture from the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries.
2004
Commences his retirement; Is the editor-in-chief of “Economic Botany” until 2009.
2005
Receives a Distinguished Faculty Library Friend Award from Mardigian Library.
2006
Serves as president of the International Society for Ethnopharmacology until 2008.
2009
Receives a Special Presidential Award for Distinguished Service from the Society for Economic Botany.
2009
Receives the Jackie Lawson Memorial Faculty Governance Award from the University of Michigan.