Minnesota native and Grammy-winning Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith will be on campus when the University celebrates Homecoming with a football game against Purdue on Oct. 11.
Smith was born in St. Paul, Minn., and his parents, Curtis and Joan Smith, are University of Minnesota alums.
Smith will play with the University of Minnesota Marching Band – the Pride of Minnesota – at halftime of Minnesota’s Homecoming game against Purdue on Oct. 11 at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Smith will also participate in a luncheon on Saturday that will benefit the newly announced Curtis & Joan Smith Scholarship, which honors his parents and will provide support for aspiring young musicians at the University’s School of Music.
“The University of Minnesota gave my parents the foundation to build a life and support our family, which allowed me to pursue my musical dream,” said Smith when the foundation announced the scholarship earlier this month. “To launch our foundation’s first-ever scholarship at my parents’ alma mater is a huge honor. By connecting the dots between the incredible work of community music schools across Minnesota and the world-class programs at the U, we can create real opportunities for the next generation.”
The scholarship was announced by the Chad Smith Foundation and eligibility will focus on students entering the University of Minnesota’s School of Music who have come through Minnesota’s nonprofit community music programs, with special consideration for those from underserved and underrepresented communities.
Proceeds from the luncheon and ongoing fundraising efforts will support the Curtis & Joan Smith Scholarship fund. For information on the luncheon and how to donate, please visit the event page here.
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