In memory of Walter McCombs: McCombs Plaza – The Cauldron
When construction crews took over the plaza between the Student Center and Rhodes Tower, it was impossible not to notice the bold new CSU letters rising.
Behind the transformation of the courtyard lies a remarkable story of adversity, perseverance and generosity tied to one of the largest gifts in Cleveland State University’s history.
The late Katherine McCombs (1950-2022) and Walter McCombs (1945-2004) bequeathed $13.1 million of their estate to Cleveland State University (CSU) in the spring of 2025.
A portion of the gift is allocated to the existing Walter Lee McCombs Endowed Scholarship Fund in the College of Law, providing scholarships for law students. Walter McCombs was a law student himself, and having received a scholarship from CSU during his time as a student, this scholarship fund can help law students struggling to finance their education and push through to the finish line.
The bulk of the gift, however, will establish the Katherine F. McCombs and Walter Lee McCombs Transformative Impact Fund, which will enable CSU to help students in need cover the costs of tuition, room and board, and more. As of Oct. 16 2025 there is no publicly available information regarding the Transformative Impact Fund or the Walter Lee McCombs Endowed Scholarship Fund in the College of Law on CSU’s website.
To honor the legacy and incredible generosity of the McCombs family, President Bloomberg announced at the 2025 Radiance event in the spring that CSU would be naming a space on campus that people visit regularly.
The green space between the Student Center and Rhodes Tower being a common gathering place and throughway, it seemed to be an excellent location right in the heart of campus to honor the McCombs family legacy.
The Cauldron reached out to the Director of Marketing and Communications Jordan Burress. Jordan Burress communicated that the McCombs family lived life with resilience, connection and generosity. Walter McCombs was born right here in Cleveland, Ohio. He lost both parents by the age of 6, and was raised in a Catholic orphanage. Later, he moved in with his uncle and graduated as valedictorian.
Struggling to finance his education, he enrolled in the U.S. Air Force. There, he rose to sergeant in the Security Service division and held top-secret clearance, a testament to his character and ability.
Walter McCombs pursued and completed a thorough education, from his BA at Kent State University (cum laude, Honors College) to his MBA at The Ohio State University, his JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and finally his LLM in Taxation at New York University.
Walter McCombs was a 1976 graduate of the CSU College of Law, and during his time as a college student, CSU was the only school to offer him a scholarship. No other university he had intended had given him scholarship support.
In his career, he practiced law at Midland Ross, Arthur Young & Co., and ultimately rose to Divisional Vice President of International Taxes at Abbott, directing global tax operations until his death in 2004.
His classmates remarked that Walter McCombs was incredibly tenacious, a smart go-getter. The scholarships provided by his initiatives and legacy aim to assist students just like him, as his story resonates with the stories of many other students. He came from nothing, an orphan who would one day leave a multimillion-dollar legacy. His story is what CSU hopes for their students. To transform their lives through higher education, and provide opportunities when others can’t.
The bright emerald-green CSU letters stand tall in the courtyard now, with new plants and foliage rooting in the soil. Many hope the new renovation will bolster pride, becoming a campus staple for tours and graduation photos, but more than just a photo backdrop, they hope it becomes a reminder that one student’s journey from overcoming hardship to championing success can ripple across decades, and across our campus.
Following the State of the University address on Oct. 21, President Bloomberg and members of the McCombs family will gather on the plaza for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Those interested can register to attend.
For Walter McCombs, his legacy lives on. Students can look to his story for hope that great success can be born from unexpected places.