A scholar of American and southern literature, Wilson received the Robert L. Stern Award for Excellence in Teaching from ODU’s College of Arts and Letters in 1998. In 2000, he received the university’s A. Rufus Tonelson Award for Teaching, Research and Service, and in 2001, he was named a University Professor for his outstanding teaching. Prior to serving as English chair, Wilson served as director of ODU’s graduate program in English, And immediately prior to joining ODU’s faculty, he received an Outstanding University Professor award for his work at Christopher Newport University.