MORRISTOWN, NJ, May 21, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Michael Aaron Rockland with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Mr. Rockland celebrates many years' experience in his professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Now a professor emeritus of American studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey, Mr. Rockland led an illustrious career in academia that spanned more than 50 years. Recruited by the institution in 1969 to serve in the role of an assistant dean, he later attained full professorship and chaired the department of American studies before retiring in 2021. Prior to his teaching and administrative work at the university, Mr. Rockland briefly worked as an executive assistant to the chancellor for the Department of Higher Education in New Jersey during 1968, shortly after acquiring his doctorate degree. He also spent seven years in the diplomatic service as a cultural attaché in Argentina and Spain.
An invited lecturer for many years who has spoken in 28 different foreign countries, Mr. Rockland has taught such courses as Mobility and Americans, American Jewish Literature and What's American About America? in both English and Spanish. He also frequently spoke at Harvard and Princeton University, as well as the Library of Congress, and served as a keynoter speaker at the annual convention of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Aligned with several key professional organizations relating to his career in academia and writing, Mr. Rockland is prolifically active with the American Studies Association, the Spanish American Studies Association and PEN America.
As a published writer, Mr. Rockland has contributed 16 books, several of which have become award-winning publications. Among them, his first book, "Sarmiento's Travels in the United States in 1847," was selected by the Washington Post's Book World as one of the Fifty Best Books of the Year. Mr. Rockland also contributed several memoirs, as well as several novels, including "A Bliss Case," which in 1989 was named as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
That same year, Mr. Rockland co-published "Looking for America on the New Jersey Turnpike," which was chosen by the State Library as one of the 10 Best Books Ever Written on New Jersey or by a New Jerseyan. His most recent novel, "Married to Hitler," was released in 2020 along with his book "The George Washington Bridge: Poetry in Steel." Besides his books, Mr. Rockland found his niche as a regular contributor to New Jersey Monthly magazine and through involvement in film and television production for PBS and other networks. Most notable was his adventure film, "Three Days on Big City Waters."
Mr. Rockland earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and English at Hunter College in 1955. He later spent time at the Foreign Service Institute of the U.S. Department of State between 1961 and 1962, having previously served for two years as a medic in Japan for the U.S. Navy. Additionally, Mr. Rockland acquired both a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in American studies at the University of Minnesota in 1960 and 1968, respectively.
Named as one of the Five Best Professors at the University by Rutgers University students for his teaching credentials, Mr. Rockland also received the National American Studies Teaching Award in 1997 and a Rutgers Scholar-Teacher of the Year Award in 2002 and 2005. He was honored with several journalistic awards as well, including a First Prize for Feature Journalism by the New Jersey Press Association in 1981 and the American Press Association in 1993 and a First Prize for two of his books by the New Jersey Studies Association. Additionally, Mr. Rockland was inducted into the Hunter College Hall of Fame and received a New Jersey Governor's Award for a Lifetime of Contributions to New Jersey History and Culture in 2013.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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