Joe Gromek named chairman of The New School board

NEW YORK—Joseph Gromek, the former chief executive of Warnaco, has been elected to chairman of the board of trustees at The New School. Gromek, who left Warnaco in February after almost ten years, has been a New School trustee since last year and a member of the board of governors at Parsons The New School for Design since 2005.

“The New School occupies a singular place in today’s higher education landscape,” Gromek said in a statement. “As a university with expertise in two distinct, but critically related fields—design and the social sciences—The New School can educate a generation of creative and civic leaders to meet the challenges of a new economy.”

Added New School president David Van Zandt, “Joe’s election as chair comes at an opportune moment because he values the innovative characteristics of The New School. Joe understands the non-traditional role we have played in the past and the clarity of vision required to advance in the future. Our students and faculty creatively address critical global issues, guided by a persistent commitment to social justice and changing the status quo. This is a fundamental New School value and I am confident Joe will lead the Board to sustain and support it.”

The New School was founded in New York City in 1919. Parsons, its design school, was founded in 1896, adding a fashion design program in 1904. Parsons merged with The New School for Social Research (now called simply The New School) in 1970.