He was a frequent contributor to Historia, The Classical Journal, and Gnomon, and achieved world recognition as an expert on Julius Caesar.
Not ready to retire, he sought the aid of a former student, and protégé W.R.S., who was in a position to discuss the matter with then Illinois Governor Richard Ogilvie.
Mr. S. explained to the Governor that such an eminent Professor as John H. Collins was too highly respected in both American and European intellectual circles to fall victim to the state's arbitrary mandatory retirement system.
Moreover, such an arbitrary decision pursuant to these select intellectual circles would bode ill for the State of Illinois' university system.
Upon Collins' retirement in 1978, a Northern Illinois University lecture hall was dedicated in his honor.