Finding Inspiration
To celebrate their daughter’s transformative experience at RISD, the Hetfield family offers support to future students.
Because the Hetfields’ daughter struggled with dyslexia, she found doing homework and work in the classroom during her precollege years to be very difficult. School was not a source of joy.
“She had to work very hard, was often frustrated and never felt completely satisfied with what she was able to do then,” recalls Francesca Hetfield P 20. “But coming to RISD was a whole new world for her. The RISD faculty and classes inspired her. For the first time in her life she felt really good about her work. She fit into the community so well and was excited to be here. As a parent, it was wonderful to see her thrive.”
The positive impact RISD had on her daughter has reinforced Hetfield’s belief in the importance of supporting creative students. “Art school can seem frightening to some parents. We are not all artists, so this creative world can seem scary. Parents wonder how their student will find a job when they get older,” says Hetfield. “But, if someone loves what they are doing, they will find a job and love their life. Forcing them to do something they don’t enjoy won’t work.
“We saw our daughter thrive at RISD like never before. She was welcomed warmly into the community and received incredible support. We want to offer other students the same opportunity to learn and grow with RISD,” says Hetfield of the family’s decision to endow the Hetfield Family Scholarship to support future generations of students.
“I also enjoy seeing what RISD alumni are doing out in the world. It is exciting to observe how students form such strong bonds on campus and continue to choose to be part of the RISD community after graduation. As our daughter completes her senior year, it is nice to know that sense of connection is not lost,” she adds.
