David Carpenter proves it’s never too late to achieve your academic goals. 

By Francis Von Mann

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 30, 2025) – Nineteen years after first enrolling at the University of Kentucky, Dave Carpenter returned to the College of Arts and Sciences to complete the degree he began in 2006.

Carpenter – now head distiller at Jeptha Creed Distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky – once dreamed of earning a history degree. Life, however, led him down a different path. But with encouragement from his family and support from UK’s Project Graduate program, Carpenter came back to finish what he started. 

“This university will always be here for you,” Carpenter said. “I’m just so glad I was able to finish what I started 19 years ago, graduating with my degree in liberal studies.”

Watch the video above to hear Carpenter’s inspiring journey from culinary school to bourbon craftsmanship to UK graduate.