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Stockton University has named professor Brian Tyrrell as the next faculty director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute for Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism, effective July 1. He will succeed Jane Bokunewicz at LIGHT, who will retire June 30.

Professor and former casino industry executive Bokunewicz has led LIGHT since 2020, helping elevate it into a nationally recognized resource on gaming and tourism. During her tenure, she oversaw the launch of the International Journal of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism; introduced two industry-focused certificate programs; led more than 20 webinars and co-produced the Atlantic City Casino Industry Impact Report.

She has also received recognition on NJBIZ’s Education Power List, with her analysis regularly featured in media coverage of gaming and tourism trends, including in these pages.

“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,” said Bokunewicz. “We have accomplished a lot together in the last six years.”

William Minnis, interim dean of Stockton’s School of Business, said the university is deeply grateful for Bokunewicz’s “outstanding leadership and the strong foundation she has built for LIGHT’s continued success.”

More about Tyrrell

Tyrrell, a longtime Stockton faculty member, has more than 20 years of experience in the university’s Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management program and played a role in LIGHT’s formation, including serving as interim director of its predecessor research center.

“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,” said Tyrrell. “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.”

“Brian’s long-standing commitment to Stockton and his expertise in hospitality and tourism make him exceptionally well suited to lead LIGHT,” said Minnis. He added that Tyrell’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the both the institute and university. “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.”

Tyrell added, “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.”