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Public Relations and Marketing | Published Jul 21, 2021
For the third year in a row, College of Lake County (CLC) was selected as a recipient of the Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) grant through Metallica’s All Within My Hands (AWMH). The funding, in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), is worth $25,000, and will be matched by CLC for a total of $50,000 in scholarships for students studying in career and technical programs. The scholarships are part of the MSI sponsored by the band’s foundation.
CLC was one of 23 schools chosen to receive the scholarships. That number has risen from 15 a year ago, even during the pandemic, and from 10 in 2019. This year, a total of $1.6 million will be given out.
“The foundation and the band pay attention and follow these programs and students, and there is no doubt that lives have been changed,” said Dr. Edward Frank, executive director of AWMH. “What makes this work so unique is that in addition to supporting students directly, our goal is not just to change individual lives, it is to unabashedly promote the trades as meaningful and well-paying career pathways. We are not afraid to be loud nor to dig in on things we believe in, and we believe in these students.”
The grant provides scholarships and services to students in career and technical programs including:
“As a touring entity, we are in direct involvement with multiple essential career choices along our path,” said James Hetfield, Metallica’s vocalist/guitarist and co-founder. “From electrical, professional driving, culinary, mechanical maintenance, public safety, logistical organizers. And that just scratches the surface. Those, along with a multitude of other technical careers, make our touring and our performances possible. We are passionate and grateful to these trades and tradespeople.”
Eric Purvin, who is working on his associate degree in graphics, animation and presentation, was a recipient of the scholarship in Fall 2019 and said it was a big help.
“Money was tight, and I found this opportunity while looking for scholarships,” Purvin said. “I was really happy I received it. I recommend that anyone eligible should apply.”
The Metallica Scholars Initiative was created in 2019 through a partnership between All Within My Hands and the AACC, a Washington, D.C. based organization representing the country’s more than 1,000 community colleges. The goal is to help students get higher paying jobs and establish stable careers.
“The Metallica Scholars funds will focus on addressing financial barriers for students, the main cause of non-completion, allowing them to focus on achieving their goal to complete a credential and obtain a family sustaining career,” said CLC President Dr. Lori Suddick.
For more information on the AWMH and Metallica Scholars Initiative, visit https://www.allwithinmyhands.org/welcome.html.
About College of Lake County
College of Lake County is a comprehensive community college committed to equitable high-quality education, cultural enrichment and partnerships to advance the diverse communities it serves in northeastern Illinois. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, college classes are affordable and accessible to help each student achieve academic, career and personal goals. More than 70,000 students graduated with degrees and certificates since the college opened in 1969. College of Lake County is the only higher-education institution ranked among the top 15 best places to work in Illinois by Forbes and is a national leader in many areas, including sustainability and conservation.