From examining dinosaur footprints in Gettysburg to exploring glaciers in Iceland, Environmental Studies Prof. Sarah Principato guides Gettysburg College students on a journey of understanding and exploration of the many geological components that make up and sustain our Earth.
Principato majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College, where she developed a fascination with landforms and surface processes. After earning a master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she completed her Ph.D. in geological sciences at the University of Colorado, where she benefited from many opportunities provided by her Ph.D. advisor, John Andrews, and from working at the interdisciplinary Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR). Today, she aims to provide similar opportunities to students at Gettysburg, working side-by-side with them and making discoveries about the physical world we live in.
“I love teaching students about the Earth system, and my goal is to share my enthusiasm with students as much as possible,” said Principato, who has taught at Gettysburg since 2003. “One of the best ways to study the Earth is through fieldwork of course. We collect data on our field trips and test hypotheses, and students learn the scientific process.”
For more than two decades, Principato has conducted research with students including fieldwork around the northeastern United States and to Iceland and the Faroe Islands. There, she has taught them how to use implements like the Schmidt hammer and Brunton compass to analyze glacial landforms and the impact of climate change on the Earth. Students bring a wealth of interdisciplinary training into collaborative research with Principato, resulting in several co-authored journal articles and conference presentations.
“These types of experiences build independent thinking, analytic and critical thinking skills, and teach students how to work collaboratively and in leadership positions,” Principato noted. “They prepare Gettysburg students extremely well for graduate school and jobs.”
Empowered by the integrative experiences at Gettysburg and inspired by Principato’s passion for teaching, students studying Environmental Studies (ES) have pursued a wide range of careers in environmental science, public policy, consulting, advocacy, environmental law, park service, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and many other fields of work.
“A real highlight that makes me so happy is keeping in touch with ES students after they graduate,” Principato said. “I love hearing from them, and it is so great to watch their careers and lives evolve. I am proud of my students, and I could brag about them forever. It is a wonderful perk of the job!”
By Corey Jewart
Photos courtesy of Sarah Principato
Posted: 04/21/25