Deb Gilmore ’19 is full of big ideas. In fact, her innovative strategy to improve sustainability on campus won her Arcadia’s first Big Idea Competition, sponsored by the Honors Program.

Gilmore plans to place compost bins near the Dining Hall as part of a campuswide recycling initiative. One of three finalists selected to pitch concepts, she received a $500 startup fund and the assistance of a student committee and faculty advisers to execute her project.

“The ultimate goal of this project is that, in five to 10 years, Arcadia will be considered one of the leading schools in sustainability,” said Gilmore. “It sounds like a big goal, but it is absolutely possible with the passion and hard work of the student body and faculty.”

The panel of judges based their decisions not only on the project’s feasibility and magnitude of impact, but also on Gilmore’s determination to create a “greener” campus.

“The Big Idea Competition has the potential to open the doors to long-term, student-driven campus improvement,” said Helene Klein, director of Honors and Accelerated Programs. “As a first year student, Deb has time to further develop Arcadia’s environmental stewardship.”