David Solomon ’84, chairman and chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs, has been unanimously elected to serve as chair of the Hamilton College Board of Trustees, effective July 1.
Solomon currently serves on the board as a charter trustee and as co-chair of the College’s Because Hamilton capital campaign, an effort to raise $400 million by June 30, 2023. More than $320 million has been committed thus far, the majority for student scholarship aid.
Solomon succeeds Stephen Sadove ’73, former chairman and chief executive officer of Saks Inc., who was elected a life trustee and chairman emeritus. Robert Delaney ’79 and Linda Johnson ’80 were re-elected vice chairs of the board. Trustees Aron Ain ’79, Robert Delaney ’79, Amy Owens Goodfriend ’82, and Lea Haber Kuck ’87 were re-elected as charter trustees for six-year terms.
Every day I rely on the critical-thinking and communications skills I developed there. I’m honored to serve as board chair and look forward to making Hamilton even stronger for its students, faculty, administration, and alums.
“David Solomon is a gifted leader and strategic thinker who understands the foundational role a liberal arts education can play in preparing students for lives of meaning and purpose,” said President David Wippman. “He is committed to keeping a Hamilton education affordable, and he is eager to build on Hamilton’s growing national and international reputation. I look forward to working even more closely with him as we seek to provide students with the finest liberal arts education in the country.”
“Hamilton is a special place which had an enormous impact on my life and career,” Solomon said. “Every day I rely on the critical-thinking and communications skills I developed there. I’m honored to serve as board chair and look forward to making Hamilton even stronger for its students, faculty, administration, and alums.”
Solomon first joined the Hamilton Board of Trustees in 1996. In addition to serving as the co-chair of the current campaign, with fellow trustee Jeff Little ’71, he has chaired the student affairs and nominations committees, and been a member of the investment and executive committees. He has also engaged and mentored many young alumni and served as a volunteer for the Career Center.
Before assuming his current position at Goldman Sachs, Solomon served, among other roles, as president and chief operating officer of the firm and earlier as co-head of the investment banking division. He is the parent of a 2016 Hamilton graduate.
Solomon’s philanthropic interests at Hamilton include student scholarships, faculty professorships, and improvements to the campus infrastructure. He is a member of the board of directors of the Robin Hood Foundation, the board of trustees of New York Presbyterian Hospital, and the executive committee of the Partnership for New York City.
Speaking at the June 11 meeting of the Hamilton Board of Trustees, Solomon paid tribute to Sadove, noting the many accomplishments of his tenure, such as the launch of the Because Hamilton campaign, the addition of state-of-the-art facilities, and an over 60 percent increase in the College’s endowment.
