CLEMSON — A research, education and training institute for park professionals at Clemson University will be named for the recently deceased George B. Hartzog Jr. and his wife, Helen, in honor of Hartzog’s contributions to the profession, most notably as director of the National Park Service during a time of tremendous growth.
Plans for the George B. Jr. and Helen C. Hartzog Institute for Parks were in the works for the last couple of years, but the final legal documents were completed in the days just prior to Hartzog’s death June 27 in Washington, D.C.
The institute will create, conduct and disseminate a broad range of education and training programs for current and prospective park professionals. Hartzog is widely considered to have been the most influential director in the history of the National Park Service aside from the service’s founder, according to Brett Wright, chairman of Clemson’s parks, recreation and tourism management department. The department will be home to the Hartzog Institute, but several other universities and park agencies will be actively involved as a network of park research and education units.


“George was a legend among park professionals, a real larger-than-life character,” Wright said. “Mentally, he stayed on top of his game into his final days, and we were very pleased that he was aware of, and approved, our plans to establish this institute in his and Helen’s name.”


Under Hartzog’s leadership from 1964 to 1973, the National Park Service underwent its largest expansion. He added 72 parks to the system and, for the first time, the NPS worked to bring its services to urban residents. The George B. Jr. and Helen C. Hartzog Institute for the Parks will continue that legacy of making parks relevant to the people they serve. The institute will be a destination and resource for park professionals interested in advancing their careers.
Clemson University has been a leader in park management and education for more than 40 years, serving national, state and local park systems. The forestry and natural resources and parks, recreation and tourism management departments have been associated with the National Park Service since the establishment of the George B. Hartzog Jr. Environmental Lecture and Awards Program in 1978. The park service’s most recent leader, Fran B. Mainella, joined the Clemson faculty after retiring as director in 2006. The official papers of several former National Park Service directors are housed at Clemson.