Throughout his career, John received numerous accolades, the Penn State's Faculty Scholar Award, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation Fellowship, the National Science Foundation's National Young Investigator Award, and the Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowship. John was passionate about graduate education and supporting young scientists. During his career, he served as the chair of the chemistry department's Graduate Admissions Committee, mentoring more than 40 graduate students and postdoctoral associates.