Jonathan Donville

Classroom

Donville has remained devoted to his academics, holding a 3.59 cumulative grade point average at Cornell as a double major in government and history. He has effectively juggled two majors at an Ivy League institution with a rigorous athletic schedule. For his hard work, Donville’s name has appeared on the Dean’s List.

He aspires to be a professional journalist one day, and in order to help him achieve this goal, the Canada native stayed in Ithaca last summer to intern at WRFI, a community radio station. The experience he gained reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic and the current social climate not only kept the Ithaca community informed and engaged on these important issues, but will be invaluable to him as he looks forward to a career in journalism.

Character

A two-time team captain (a rarity for Cornell Lacrosse), Donville’s hard working nature, thoughtful spirit, and relentless positivity have made him a consistent leader for the Big Red. Perhaps what is most remarkable is that Donville has not been tasked with leading his team through two “normal” seasons, but rather, through the difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After abruptly having a promising season canceled in the spring of 2020, he was tasked with managing the fragile psyche of an entire team through the uncertainty of a global pandemic, which carried into the fall semester and continues in the present day. From a 5-0 campaign being permanently halted in the spring to an abundance of restrictions inhibiting normalcy in the fall, Donville has led Cornell with grace and humility through it all. His ability to understand the situation and the emotions surrounding it, ask for help when necessary, and unite those surrounding him has been remarkable.

Donville has proven to be agile and open to growth during a time when neither of these things are easy. He’s been a massive pillar of support for the entire Cornell men’s lacrosse team. He’s inspired confidence within and motivated those around him in a situation where some might consider it impossible. In short, Donville is everything you look for in a teammate.

Community

For the last two years, Donville has helped organize the 21 Run, a 5K that Cornell men’s lacrosse hosts each year in conjunction with the Mario St. George Boiardi Foundation. The run seeks to honor the late George Boiardi ’04, who was a four-year starter and team captain for the Big Red before tragically passing on the playing field in 2004, as well as raise awareness and money to promote children’s literacy in the community.

In its 16th year in 2020, the 21 Run was forced to adopt a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This presented new challenges that Donville and his counterparts successfully navigated, as this year’s event raised the most funds for the Family Reading Partnership of Ithaca in the history of the race. Even in a difficult year, Donville remained committed to upholding Boiardi’s legacy and helping a fantastic cause.

Donville has also been involved with One Love, a foundation that educates young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships, empowering them to identify and avoid abuse and learn how to love better. After undergoing training to become a One Love Facilitator, Donville organized, taught, and facilitated a day-long One Love workshop for the entire Cornell men’s lacrosse team, providing them with the tools they need to foster healthy relationships in their daily lives.

Competition

Donville was recently tabbed a Preseason All-American by both Inside Lacrosse (third-team) and the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) (honorable mention) in advance of the 2021 campaign.

He has been an integral piece of the Big Red’s midfield for the past three years. He’s played in every game since arriving at Cornell as a freshman, starting each contest of his sophomore and junior seasons. Following the shortened 2020 campaign that saw the Big Red get off to a 5-0 start and soar to No. 2 in the USILA Coaches’ Poll, Donville was named an Inside Lacrosse/Maverik Media Second-Team All-American. He finished the season ranked second on Cornell’s team in goals (13) and third in assists (7) and points (20).

Donville experienced a breakthrough sophomore campaign in 2019, being named Honorable Mention All-Ivy after finishing the season as Cornell’s top scoring midfielder with 20 goals, 14 assists, and 34 points. His success carried over into the summer, as he became just the third student-athlete in Cornell men’s lacrosse history to be named the Minto Cup MVP after leading his Junior A Lacrosse team to a National Championship.

As a freshman, he was the most productive offensive player of the freshman class. Donville helped guide Cornell to the Ivy League Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth, ultimately making a run to the NCAA Quarterfinal that year.