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Atlantic City, N.J. — Professor Brian Tyrrell has been named the new faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute for Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) at �鶹��, effective July 1, succeeding Jane Bokunewicz, who will retire on June 30.

For more than two decades, Tyrrell has served as a faculty member in the Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management program in the School of Business at �鶹��. He served as the Interim Director for the New Jersey Center for Hospitality and Tourism Research Center, before it was commissioned as LIGHT and played a role in the institute’s initial formation.

“Having been part of LIGHT’s development from its early stages, I’ve seen firsthand the impact it can have in connecting research, industry and student opportunity,” Tyrrell said. “I look forward to expanding our partnerships, advancing meaningful research, training industry professionals and continuing to support the growth of Atlantic City’s gaming, hospitality and tourism sectors.”

Bokunewicz, also a professor of Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management at �鶹�� and a former executive in the casino industry, has served as LIGHT’s faculty director since 2020.

Among LIGHT’s accomplishments during her time as its director, Bokunewicz oversaw the launch of the International Journal of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism, the start of two industry-focused certificate programs at �鶹��, the presentation of more than 20 webinars and the publication of the Atlantic City Casino Industry Impact Report in collaboration with the Casino Association of New Jersey.

Under Bokunewicz’s leadership, LIGHT has also built a reputation as a trusted source for media across the country for research and analysis of the Atlantic City casino industry and the South Jersey economy.

“It has been one of the greatest honors of my career to serve as the faculty director of LIGHT because of the privilege of working with our esteemed advisory board of Atlantic City industry leaders and Assistant Director Sarah Grady to advance LIGHT’s mission,” Bokunewicz said. “We have accomplished a lot together in the last six years.”

William Minnis, the interim dean of �鶹��’s School of Business, praised Bokunewicz saying he was “deeply grateful for her outstanding leadership and the strong foundation she has built for LIGHT’s continued success.” He also said Tyrrell’s appointment “marks an exciting new chapter for both the institute and the university.”

“Brian’s long-standing commitment to �鶹�� and his expertise in hospitality and tourism make him exceptionally well suited to lead LIGHT,” Minnis said. “He brings both continuity and a forward-looking vision that will strengthen the institute’s impact on our students, our research enterprise and the regional economy.”

Prior to working at �鶹��, Tyrrell served on the faculty at the University of Nevada Las Vegas’ William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. He received his Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University in Indiana where for three years he both taught and conducted research for the institution. 

“I’m honored to step into this role at LIGHT and build on the institute’s legacy that Jane has worked so hard to establish over the past several years,” Tyrrell said.

-- Story by Mark Melhorn