Walter B. Jones Jr. Scholarships Support Future Leaders

Walter B. Jones Jr. Scholarships Support Future Leaders

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The transformative legacy of architect, visionary and esteemed former MetroHealth executive Walter B. Jones, Jr., lives on through three Northeast Ohio college students - the first recipients of one-time $5,000 scholarships bearing his name.

• Aaron Burnett, from Willowick, attends Morehouse College.
• Brennan Christian, from Fairlawn, also attends Morehouse College.
• Azalia Crumb, from Maple Heights, attends Howard University.

The Walter B. Jones, Jr., Scholars Endowment was established shortly after Jones passed away in late 2023. As MetroHealth's Senior Vice President of Transformation, Jones had a tremendous impact on the MetroHealth community. He joined the system in 2014 and went on to lead the design, construction and opening of The Glick Center, which stands as a lasting tribute to his vision, leadership and commitment to excellence.

Over his decades-long career in construction and related fields, Jones had a unique and profound influence on individuals ranging from lifelong managers to high school students.

During the building of The Glick Center, Walter was especially invested in the success of the high school students in construction mentorship and internship programs who worked alongside him at the Campus Transformation Center.

He fostered a welcoming, collaborative learning environment where young people gained hands-on experience by contributing to a billion-dollar construction project in real time.

Now, through the Jones Scholars Endowment, established in partnership with the Jones family, students continue to build upon the foundation Walter laid.

Through the Jones Scholars Endowment, MetroHealth provides a one-year, non-renewable $5,000 scholarship to a highly deserving high school senior, with preference given to students from any of the following programs:

• Lincoln-West School of Science & Health - a Cleveland Metropolitan School District high school with classrooms located at MetroHealth, the country's only high school inside a hospital
• ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentor Program of Cleveland, which provides internship and shadowing experiences at MetroHealth
• Student interns from a construction firm or subcontractor who have completed work at or with MetroHealth
• Students who are participating in any other formal MetroHealth mentoring or internship program

Longtime MetroHealth partner Turner Construction was the lead funder for the Jones Scholars Endowment. As construction manager on The Glick Center, the Turner Construction team collaborated closely with Walter and shared a mutual understanding of the importance of the project in the community.

"Walter was one of a kind, a true visionary leader," said Taurean Spratt, Vice President and General Manager of the Ohio Region at Turner Construction. "We are proud to contribute to carrying forward his legacy."

Other supporting donors with gifts of $1,000 or more include:

• The Jones Family
• American Institute of Architects - Cleveland Chapter
• CBLH Design, Inc.
• Gorman-Lavelle Corporation
• HGA
• Industrial First
• Karpinski Engineering
• Larry Mack
• Perspectus Architecture
• Regency Construction Services, Inc.
• The Moss Family Fund
• U.S. Communications and Electric, Inc.

Supporting this endowment honors the collaborative, innovative spirit of Walter B. Jones, Jr., whose legacy continues to shape healthcare - and MetroHealth - for generations to come.

For more information, contact Marcia Meermans at [email protected].