Andrews University

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Institute of Archaeology, Andrews University

Front View of American Community School

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Dry-Brushing Pottery

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Samir Counting Pottery

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Mohammed Murshed

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Lunch Line

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Gunn, Nicholas

Andrews University 
Digital Commons @ Andrews University 
Lake Union Herald Lake Union Herald 
1-2025 
Old Clothes, New Purpose 
Nicholas Gunn 
Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/luh-pubs 
Visit LakeUnionHerald.org |  JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025  |  23
SPECIAL FEATURE / WORLD CHANGERS MADE HERE.
Old Clothes,  
New Purpose
Katherine Pierre, a senior biology ma-
jor on the pre-medical track at Andrews 
University, has made a significant impact on 
the Andrews campus through a clothing do-
nation initiative that promotes sustainability 
and supports those in need. Pierre began this 
initiative during her sophomore year, begin-
ning with the simple goal of recycling, but it 
has since evolved into an important resource 
for multiple local families.
Hailing from Maryland, Pierre attended 
Tacoma Academy before coming to Andrews. 
Her passion for service was ignited during a 
medical mission trip to Haiti in eighth grade, 
where she witnessed disparities in access to 
basic needs and education. This experience 
shaped her commitment to helping others, 
inspiring her to engage in various service 
projects both internationally and locally. 
The disparities in health care that she wit-
nessed in Haiti encouraged her to pursue the 
pre-medical track at Andrews with the goal 
of one day becoming a doctor to help those 
in need. She chose to study medicine after 
discovering a passion for being hands-on and 
involved in the communities she has served.
While living in Lamson Hall on the cam-
pus of Andrews University, Pierre noticed an 
abundance of clothes left behind by students 
at the end of the school year, often destined 
for the trash despite being in fine condition. 
Determined to change this, she collaborated 
with dorm administrators to create donation 
bins in the laundry rooms, encouraging stu-
dents to recycle their clothes instead of dis-
carding them.
“At first, I would collect the clothes and 
take them to thrift stores, but I wanted to 
find a way to directly support those in need,” 
Pierre said. With the help of Diana Baltazar, 
custodial supervisor at Lamson Hall, Pierre 
was introduced to immigrant families living 
nearby who could benefit from the dona-
tions. Now, Pierre collects, washes and dis-
tributes the clothes directly to these families.
The initiative not only helps reduce waste 
but also addresses a critical need for cloth-
ing among local families. “For me, this isn’t 
a big deal,” Pierre shared. “It’s just about 
making a simple solution for something that 
should already be happening.” By trans-
forming discarded clothing into a resource 
for those less fortunate, Pierre emphasizes 
the importance of community and environ-
mental stewardship.
Katherine Pierre, a senior biology major on the pre-medical track at Andrews University, 
has made a significant impact on the Andrews campus through a clothing donation initiative 
that promotes sustainability and supports those in need. 
Now, as she approaches the end of her se-
nior year, Pierre hopes to pass her project on 
to other students. “I want to find someone 
to take over this initiative and possibly turn it 
into a thrift store at Lamson Hall,” she shared. 
“There are many students here who might 
need clothes or want to recycle theirs, and I’d 
love to see this grow.”
For Pierre, the act of giving back is not a 
burden but rather a calling. “I feel like I’m just 
a connecting piece between surplus clothing 
and those who need it,” she said. “It’s re-
warding to know that these clothes are being 
used rather than thrown away. I hope to in-
spire others to take up similar initiatives.”
Pierre’s vision extends beyond clothing do-
nations. She encourages her peers to adopt 
sustainable practices, including recycling. “I 
think there’s a lot of room for improvement in 
recycling on campus,” she remarked. “I hope 
to see more students get involved in this and 
take it to the next level.” P
Nicholas Gunn is a University Communication student 
writer.
E Andrews University senior Katherine Pierre stands outside Lamson Hall, showcasing a basket filled with recent-
ly donated items from University students. 
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Front View of American Community School

Dry-Brushing Pottery

Samir Counting Pottery

Mohammed Murshed

Lunch Line

Dry-Brushing Pottery

Old Clothes, New Purpose

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