He has published essays on Cather, is an editor of the Willa Cather Review, and serves on the Board of Governors of the Willa Cather Foundation. He appeared onstage with Laura Bush for the dedication of the National Willa Cather Center, is a friend of the "real" Antonia's granddaughter, and has recently returned from presenting a paper at a Willa Cather Symposium in Northern Ireland.