Euclid Alumni Take 5 with Gretchen Harnick '86

Gretchen Harnick, Euclid High School Class of 1986.

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Gretchen Harnick is a global business strategist specializing in fashion, beauty and wellness. She spent the past 15 years living in New York City, Pittsburgh, Pa. and Paris. In New York, Gretchen worked as a full-time Assistant Professor of Fashion Marketing at Parsons School of Design. She launched the school’s social media and managed external partnership competitions with well-known luxury brands. She taught internationally in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Paris and presented her research globally in Amsterdam and London. Prior to academia, she worked in fashion and retail for companies in Northeast Ohio, owned a clothing boutique in Tremont and a wholesale showroom in Chicago. She also worked in the corporate world while earning an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. Gretchen attended Wittenberg University and earned a BA in Psychology with a Minor in Business Administration. She is a certified yoga teacher, and currently works for a number of clients in Northeast Ohio, New York City and internationally conducting marketing communications and project management.

1. Where did you grow up in Euclid?
I attended Wells Elementary School on Lloyd Road from kindergarden to third grade. At the end of third grade, my parents purchased a house and I transferred to Glenbrook for fourth through sixth grade. I will never forget April Fools Day in sixth grade. Mr. Fakult and the other teacher had us pretend one of the students fainted. Someone ran down to tell Principal Jeanne Howard. When she found out it was a joke, she told us she was going to fire Mr. Fakult. We were beside ourselves! We cried, “No! It was our idea, don’t fire him!” We were really worked up. The next thing you know, all of the teachers and Principal Howard came into the classroom and said “April Fools!” I will never forget how clever they were to twist that joke back on us!!

2. Where did you go to school before Euclid High?
I went to Euclid Central for seventh and eighth grade. I loved the modern building. Mr. Berke was the best math teacher and I guess it didn’t hurt Sharon Berke was one of my best friends! I ran Cross Country under Leo Collins, and, oh my, I remember having to run up Chardon Road. Colleen Coyne and I would dally around and if we were slow enough we just had to wait for the first runners to have turned around so we would join them on the way back down the hill.

3. What teacher or class do you most remember and why?
I remember Mr. Charlie Reno’s Physics class. Norma Jalovec and I studied together and I always would think, wow, it’s crazy that Physics is my favorite class. Mr. Reno was such an exceptional teacher and made it so much fun. I ended up taking Physics again at Wittenberg because of his influence.

4. Did you have a favorite spot in Euclid, and what did you like about it?
I went to the C.E. Orr Ice Arena to ice skate on Friday nights. I remember going in junior high to meet up with my best friend from Wells, Robin Ramlow, as she went to Forest Park when I was at Central. Heading into early high school, we had a regular group every Friday. I met Patti Jones and Kris Faletic who were of course amazing skaters. I was just there for the pretzels, to skate around with friends and talk to boys.

5. What, if anything, about your Euclid High experience would you do over?
I was focused on doing well in college prep, including learning French with Mr. Ahmed Fellague. This influenced me to study French in college, spend a semester in France, and return to live and work in the country over the years. When I look back, I wish I would have explored my potential with art at Euclid High. I think having multiple interests makes you well-rounded and I always loved various art mediums. I have since taken drawing classes while working at Parsons, but studying art early on would be the one thing I would go back and do over.