Named in honor of Missouri’s only president, Harry S. Truman, the award identifies aspiring leaders who are in their junior year of college and is designed to recognize and reward students who are committed to careers in public service.

Donaldson, who is from St. Joseph, Missouri, is Mizzou’s first Truman Scholar since 2021.

“To be from Missouri and honored with a scholarship that is named after our only president, it truly means the world,” said Donaldson, a junior biological engineering major who is also pursuing the Honors Certificate. “President Truman was dedicated to public service and making the world a better place, which is something that I’m also passionate about. This is definitely the biggest honor of my life to this point.”

Potter, program manager of the Mizzou Office of Global and National Fellowships, worked with Hamblin-Dold, the basic needs coordinator in the Office of the Dean of Students, to make the surprise a reality. Donaldson was also offered congratulations by Provost Matthew Martens and Kevin Gillis, chair of Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. Attendees included Susan Lever, adjunct professor of chemistry; Michelle Teti, associate dean of the Honors College; and Lauren Pike, fellowships coordinator for Office of Global and National Fellowships; among many others.

“To turn around and see so many people from across campus there to celebrate was really heartwarming,” Donaldson said. “I couldn’t have done this without the incredible people at Mizzou who have supported me throughout my time here.”

Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school and are able to participate in unique leadership development programs. Nearly 750 students from across the country applied for the scholarship. Donaldson is one of 54 awardees.

“Josh is amazing,” Potter said. “He represents the best of Mizzou as a land-grant university: intelligent, curious and driven to serve others. And I know he’s not alone. The Truman Scholarship gives student leaders a wonderful opportunity to develop their vision for their career and how they want to make an impact on the world.”

Donaldson has been incredibly active throughout his time as a Tiger and has been very focused on helping others. He’s previously participated in undergraduate research and studied Swahili in Tanzania through the Critical Language Scholarship. He currently serves as an involvement ambassador at Mizzou, where he helps connect students with involvement opportunities.

Donaldson is the executive director of Tiger Pantry, which serves, educates and empowers individuals facing food insecurity within the Mizzou community. He began as a volunteer and then served as an ambassador before moving into the executive director role. Through that work, he manages a team of 30 student leaders and 45 volunteers to offer free food, hygiene items and clothing to more than 450 households every month. Donaldson also recruited 10 universities to a Regional Food Pantry Alliance, which represents 150,000 students and led to new programs at three universities.

“Through the Truman Scholarship application, I did a lot of soul searching on how we all can work together to make the world a better place,” Donaldson said. “The entire process allowed me to grow in various ways, and I just feel like I’m a better person from the work.

“If I could just use one word to describe how I’m feeling, it’s grateful.”

This story was originally published by Show Me Mizzou.