The city of Fresno proclaimed Tuesday, Aug. 19, Josh McDonald Day to honor the California State University, Fresno student and Dean’s Medalist for his five years of volunteer service to the city.

A ceremony was held at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Fresno City Hall Council Chambers, 2600 Fresno St. (on P Street between Fresno and Tulare streets).

McDonald, who graduated from Fresno State in May with three degrees, served as an intern for District 2 Council member Brian Calhoun.

He was honored for such accomplishments as researching and writing new public policy to include local air quality and global warming, adaptive reuse of vacant buildings to revitalize neighborhoods, regional cooperation through creating efficiencies in government and
strengthening the vicious dog ordinance to improve public safety.

“Josh has researched and provided many solutions for neighborhood and quality of life issues and has become very effective in resolving neighborhood problems while accruing a large fan base among the constituents of District 2 and City of Fresno staff,” the proclamation said.

Fresno City Council member Brian Calhoun said, “Improving the quality of life in our community is a key component of public service. Josh exemplified this.”

Fresno Mayor Alan Autry said, “While we cannot help but be impressed with his achievements outside of City Hall, we are most proud of the outstanding service he has provided to the citizens of Fresno.”

McDonald was a Smittcamp Honors student with a 4.0 GPA and was selected for Division of Student Affairs Dean’s Medal. The Dean’s Medal honors the top graduate for each college, school or division at the university. He also was a leader in sustainability issues, serving as president of the campus Recycling Club and launching a campaign to reduce campus use of Styrofoam.

While earning bachelor’s degrees in philosophy, psychology and political science, McDonald served on the Associated Students Inc. board for two years as the chief of staff for Juan Pablo Moncayo and as the senator for the College of Arts and Humanities. He was honored as top senator of the year. A Smittcamp Family Honors College scholar, he maintained a cumulative 4.0 GPA.

“Josh has served our campus and the community in many different ways and has achieved unprecedented success,” said Dr. Paul M. Oliaro, vice president for student affairs. “He is an individual who will continue to make a positive difference in any community in which he lives.”

A musical composer and performer, he earned a minor in trumpet performance, performed with Fresno State Jazz Band “A” and was selected to the California Institute for the Preservation of Jazz All-State Collegiate Honor Jazz Band. He worked for KFSR, the campus radio station, as the jazz deejay, and participated as a guest lecturer for the English Department at Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, he played his trumpet for the City Council in what may be his final Fresno performance for now. Later this month, he leaves for Boston University to pursue a doctoral degree in philosophy on a graduate teaching fellowship.