December 08, 2025
Josh Donaldson has earned a Marshall Scholarship, one of the world鈥檚 most prestigious academic honors. As the University of Missouri鈥檚 newest Marshall Scholar, he joins a distinguished tradition of Tigers whose curiosity, leadership and drive have reached a global stage.
鈥淚 honestly had the time of my life during the interview,鈥 Donaldson said. 鈥淲e were cracking jokes and the discussion was so conversational. When I received the call that I had received the scholarship, I was speechless. After thanking them over and over, I hung up and just sat there for a bit to process everything. I was smiling from ear to ear.鈥
Donaldson is a senior biological聽engineering聽major who is also pursuing the聽Honors Certificate聽in Mizzou’s聽.
The Marshall Scholarship, a fully funded postgraduate award that allows scholars to study at any university in the United Kingdom, was first awarded in 1954 and is one of the most prestigious international scholarships for U.S. students. Nearly 1,000 students apply for the Marshall Scholarship each year. Around 200 finalists interview for the award, with up to 50 scholars named. Only 43 scholarships were awarded for 2026.
鈥淲e are proud that Josh is among an elite group of students to receive the prestigious Marshall Scholarship,鈥 University of Missouri President Mun Choi said. 鈥淭his incredible honor recognizes Josh鈥檚 hard work, resilience and commitment to serving others. His success also demonstrates the power of a Mizzou education, which prepares all students to achieve excellence and make a global impact.”
Donaldson, a St. Joseph, Missouri, native, plans to spend one year at the University of Leeds where he will pursue a master鈥檚 degree in water sanitation and health engineering. He will then travel to the University of Edinburgh to study global environment, politics and society.
鈥淚 love my engineering background; I love solving problems from start to finish,鈥 Donaldson said. 鈥淚鈥檝e quickly realized that there are a lot of pieces to the puzzle that I鈥檝e been missing, though. I want to learn more about the political and social dimensions that make an engineering solution work, specifically tied to water, which has kind of become my obsession.
鈥淭he Marshall Scholarship is going to allow me to pursue those passions, and I鈥檓 so excited for the opportunity.鈥
Donaldson is Mizzou鈥檚 first Marshall Scholar since 2010 and just the fifth Tiger to earn the distinction since the award was created.
鈥淚t is an outstanding academic achievement to be named a Marshall Scholar. Josh鈥檚 dedication and work ethic serves as an exemplary model for all of our students,鈥 Matthew Martens, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs for the University of Missouri, said. 鈥淭his is an extremely proud moment for Mizzou and certainly represents the standard of excellence students find when they choose our university.鈥
The Marshall Scholarship is the latest in long list of awards and honors for Donaldson. He was named聽, a prestigious award named in honor Missouri鈥檚 only president, Harry S. Truman, that identifies aspiring leaders and rewards students who are committed to careers in public service. Donaldson studied Swahili in Tanzania last year through the聽聽and was recently one of four Tigers to聽聽from the Board of Curators, which is the highest student leadership award bestowed on students across the UM System. Donaldson was also a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, one of the oldest and most prestigious international scholarships that allows scholars from around the world to study at the University of Oxford.
He worked with the Mizzou Office of Global and National Fellowships on nearly all his award applications.
鈥淭he team has been instrumental in aligning my career progression and helping make everything come together,鈥 Donaldson said. 鈥淵ou come into their office with an idea or a thought on how to change the world, and they do an incredible job of guiding you as you chase your goals. They are so great at finding unique avenues, and my work with them has been life-changing.鈥
Donaldson has conducted research at Mizzou through the School of Medicine and is currently a research fellow with the Missouri Water Center. He is the president of Mizzou chapter of Engineers Without Borders and serves as the basic needs officer for the Missouri Students Association, where he coordinates the Midwest Food Pantry Alliance.
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