Central Community College takes part in Metallica Scholars Initiative for third year

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - The band, Metallica, doesn’t only provide some heavy metal to jam out to, they also provide scholarships and grants for students. Central Community College in Grand Island is one of the lucky few schools that received one of those grants.

It’s a part of the ‘All Within My Hand’ Metallica Scholars Initiative and this is the college’s third year receiving funds. The director of the criminal justice department, Michael David said the funds will benefit the entire criminal justice program.

“It provides funding mostly for scholarships for criminal justice students,” David said. “There are also some extra funds in there to help us with materials, forensic supplies, and a couple of field trips. We have been able to mainly direct it towards students.”

This year only 31 institutions were selected nationwide by the program. David said it is a great partnership between the band and the college.

“Any program you are always looking for funds. We are a very dynamic criminal justice program. We have a lot of initiatives going on,” David said. When we had the Metallica Program come in our crime house was coming on board. A great plan comes together and when you have plans, you need resources, and you need partners.”

The crime house at the college helps criminal justice majors practice criminal investigations. David stated becoming a Metallica scholar is something that makes the students’ day.

“‘We want to make you a Metallica scholar.’ Students’ eyes light up. It’s prestigious, we got these cool shirts, and people know who the Metallica scholars are,” David said. “They have become leaders in our program. They are at our events, they serve as ambassadors and role models to the other students.”

The band is currently entering their fifth year of the initiative and by the end of this year, they will help over 6,000 students pursue their careers in trade.