At Gettysburg College, students can get involved in several activities that align with their interests. As a leader of many environmentally-friendly organizations on campus, Zoe Koutsokostas ’25 continues to find new ways to appreciate the environment in each setting.
Through a variety of activities, Zoe Koutsokostas ’25, an environmental studies and business, organizations, and management double major from New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, combines her passion for helping the environment with her leadership skills to foster different outlets on campus that promote community around sustainability.
As the house leader of Farm House, a member of the President's Climate Change and Sustainability Committee, and the founder of Gettysburg Thrifts, Koutsokostas finds joy in connecting with students all across campus. With Earth Day on April 22, she continually reflects on how we can save our planet, together.
“Earth Day is often seen as one day to do good for the Earth, but I believe it should be a reminder of our constant commitment to respecting our environment,” she said. “It’s a great way to celebrate the movements and progress we have made as a campus.”
Leading Farm House
This academic year, Koutsokostas is the house leader of one of the 19 College Houses on campus, Farm House. She has lived in this house for the past three years, interacting with and making new friends that help reach the sustainability goals of Farm House as a close-knit residence community. Farm House members devote their living style to an environmentally-friendly mission, and also hold events open to students of the College to discover Farm House’s goals and how to be sustainable in fun and creative ways.
“My housemates have continued to help me learn ways that I can give back and reduce any environmental harm,” said Koutsokostas. “It’s a community of compassionate and driven leaders, and I am grateful to be a part of it.”
Representing the Environmental and Sustainability Committee
The Environmental and Sustainability Committee is a panel of students who form a direct link between the student body and the College to plan campus-wide sustainability efforts. As an active member, Koutsokostas provides a voice for her peers to help the committee be effective navigating struggles in organizing projects to promote environmentally conscious efforts on campus.
“I think efforts of sustainability are often overlooked as a barrier or an extra hassle in plans, but through these discussions, this team has found creative solutions to benefit all parties without compromising our environment,” said Koutsokostas.
Launching Gettysburg Thrifts
This year, Gettysburg Thrifts also gained a lot of attention as a fresh, new sustainability club proposed and made possible by Gettysburg College students. Founded by Koutsokostas, Gettysburg Thrifts collects clothing donations and hosts pop-up shops that are open to the community to find affordable and recycled clothing items. The first sale took place in during the fall semester on Stine Lake, attracting many eager customers.
“Personally, I love finding creative ways to reduce my consumption and waste,” Koutsokostas said. “I started Gettysburg Thrifts as a way of promoting sustainable shopping options on campus and reducing the textile waste we produce. I hope it also brings attention to the harm of fast fashion and other industries supporting mass overconsumption and unethical practices.”
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By Ainsley Green ’27
Photos courtesy of Zoe Koutsokostas ’25
Posted: 04/22/25