Who Wants to Be a Metallica Scholar?

Ten community colleges across the country recently received a substantial gift from a somewhat surprising source — the iconic heavy metal band Metallica. The donation is part of the group’s Metallica Scholars Initiative.

Last month, Inside Higher Ed reported on a $1 million donation — $100,000 for each school — through the group’s foundation, All Within My Hands. It was made through a partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges.

The foundation All Within My Hands — named after a song on Metallica’s 2003 album St. Anger — was established in 2017 to help communities that have supported the band. Funds from the foundation are geared toward alleviating hunger and poverty and supporting and enhancing work-force opportunities.

The $1 million announced last month “will support students who are entering a traditional trade or work-force program,” Inside Higher Ed reported. “These students will be part of the Metallica Scholars Initiative to improve career opportunities for students at two-year colleges.”

Why did one of the founding bands of thrash metal choose work-force education?

“All of us in the band feel fortunate that music has provided us the opportunity to be successful doing something we are passionate about,” said Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. “We want to share our success with others so that they can find a job where they can do the same.”

Through the gift, 10 colleges will receive $100,000 each. They were selected around stops on Metallica’s current WorldWired Tour and include:

  • Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, N.C.
  • Clackamas Community College in Oregon City
  • College of Lake County in Grayslake, Ill.
  • Community College of Baltimore County
  • Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wis.
  • Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan
  • Lone Star College in The Woodlands, Texas
  • North Idaho College
  • Spokane Community College
  • Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology in Kansas

By Kevin Hyde, Senior Content Writer, Capture Higher Ed