CLINTON, Iowa — Clinton Community College was one of nine community colleges chosen to participate in the Metallica Scholars Initiative. Those schools were each given $100,000 grant from the band’s All Within my Hands Foundation.
“We've been a part of a lot of the initiatives for community colleges. And we've been recipients of million-dollar grants and National Science Foundation grants. And this one just seemed extra special and extra cool,” said Dr. Brian Kelly, Clinton Community College President.
The community college will use the money to fund scholarships for students who enroll in their Engineering Technology program.
“They've sold over 100 million records, and this was their opportunity to give back to folks in the community that helped make them successful. They wanted to recognize electricians, they wanted to recognize carpenters, and lighting technicians and sound technicians,” Kelly said.
One scholarship recipient, Nick Scott said the money helped him return to school after he took a twenty-year break.
“Just with having kids and busy, hectic schedules, my wife and I didn't want to rely on loans and having to repay loans. So that was just a big relief,” Scott said.
Clinton Community College has already given out $60,000 worth of scholarships – and hope to use the rest of the grant to bring more students to enroll in their Engineering Technology program.
“I've always admired them (Metallica),” Kelly said. “They have been around for my entire life. So, I admire them. I think that their new philanthropic piece is an amazing piece to a band that's meant so much to so many people.”