Want a place to just “hang out?” Want a student-run center to go to after latenight? Want a real mascot, because after all, “what the %$#@ is a Laker?” These are all questions that junior adolescence education major Jonathon McDonald is trying to answer next year as the newly-elected Student Association (S.A.) President.
McDonald has become a well-known student this year as he campaigned for the presidential title. Currently, he is the Social Events Coordinator for the Student Association Programming Board (SAPB) and he plans small social events on campus like the “Pillow Fight,” which promotes International Peace Day, and Thrill the World. Presently, he is working on Oswego Idol, a spin off popular TV show “American Idol,” with the help of the music department, the LifeStyles Center, Residence Life and Housing, WTOP and WNYO.
McDonald got involved with SAPB after being a member of his high school student government. Although they didn’t have very much power, they were able to plan pep rallies and the Winter Ball. Planning events came naturally to him and, with a little imagination, McDonald realized he could basically do anything.
“I love being behind the scenes, putting everything together, getting people to work together to make something happen and then seeing it unfold in front of my eyes,” McDonald says. “Then I see people actually enjoying these events and it makes it all worthwhile.”
McDonald realized that he needed to get involved on campus after feeling the excitement of people who helped organize the Goo Goo Dolls concert last spring.
“I wanted to have that feeling of accomplishment again, the same feeling I got when planning events in high school,” McDonald says. “Being a part of SAPB fills that void for me.”
Although McDonald loves planning events, especially ones that bring entertainment to a wide variety of people, he really wants to make a difference in people’s lives. For now, he believes the best way to do that is to go into education as he considers teaching student affairs for a college.
“College students are still young and have hope and excitement for life,” McDonald says. “As people get older, they lose that excitement and hope. I would love to help send people in the right direction while they still have a zest for life.”
McDonald also makes it clear that he lives for the challenge. Although traveling is on his agenda, he isn’t looking to always visit places with sunny weather and tropical beaches. Instead, McDonald hopes to go to places that challenge him.
“If I’m able to get whatever I want, whenever I want, then it’s time to leave,” he says.
One thing that won’t give him whatever he wants is Mount Kilimanjaro. The daunting climb up that mountain is one challenge McDonald is looking to take on at some point, along with other “bucket list” items like sky diving and participating in “Burning Man,” which involves living in the desert for a week.
“I want to die with scars on my body,” he said.
With the way he’s going, we’re sure McDonald would not only do what he could to be a great S.A. President, but he’ll definitely die with some fantastic memories.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Oswego chapter.