NU's Gary Praetzel named to Darwin Martin House board of directors

Dr. Gary Praetzel, dean of Niagara University's College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, has been elected to the board of directors of the Darwin Martin House.

The 22-member board is responsible for the oversight of the multi-structure estate designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Darwin D. Martin and widely considered a masterpiece of 20th century architecture.

Praetzel has been a member of the Niagara University community since 1978, save for a short time when he worked in the Federal Reserve System. He was appointed director of the university's Institute of Travel, Hotel and Restaurant Administration in August 1999. On Feb. 8, 2001, the institute became the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, only the fourth college of its type in the country, with Praetzel assuming the title of dean. Under his leadership, the college has grown into a leading national and international program, as evidenced by its national ranking, its role as a founding member of The Leading Hotel Schools of the World, and its prestigious industry partnerships.

Praetzel earned B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in economics from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has served on the boards of many organizations around the world.

For more information on the Darwin Martin House, visit http://www.darwinmartinhouse.org.

To learn more about Niagara University's programs in hospitality and tourism management, including a new master's degree program in sport management, visit http://www.niagara.edu/hospitality or call 716-286-8279.