Welding student, Metallica Scholar seeks better life for kids

“Welding is a form of art,” said Metallica Scholar and ECTC welding student Megan Miller. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m more of a physical type of person and I don’t want to sit behind a desk.” 

Miller has been at ECTC since spring of 2023. After graduating high school in 2010 in Georgia, she had a rough patch that included drug addiction and homelessness. Now married to a military veteran, she has four children – two boys and two stepdaughters.

“I’m working on building a better future for my kids,” she said. “They drive me to be a better person every day.”

Jared Spalding, Welding Technology professor, selected Miller as a Metallica Scholar because of her exemplary class performance.

“Megan Miller was nominated for the Metallica Scholars scholarship because of her hard work and professionalism in the welding program,” he said. “She continues to prove to her class and instructors that she is among the best welders in the program and works diligently and safely in all her course work. I expect to see Megan as a leading professional in the welding industry in the very near future.”  

Miller chose to study at ECTC because of the college’s location and flexibility. She will use the Metallica Scholars scholarship to purchase welding materials for class.

“It feels really special to earn this scholarship,” she said. “I don’t usually win a lot of things, and my dad loved Metallica growing up, so this is sentimental, too.”