UK to induct design alum into 2025 Hall of Distinguished Alumni

On Sept. 12, the University of Kentucky will induct 20 alumni into the 2025 Hall of Distinguished Alumni, including one College of Design alum. The alumni will be honored for their meaningful contributions to the Commonwealth, nation and the world. 

The prestigious event, held every five years, is the highest recognition bestowed by the UK Alumni Association. Since its establishment in 1965, the Hall of Distinguished Alumni has celebrated graduates whose professional achievements and community service exemplify the impact of a UK education. 

“The University of Kentucky is proud to count among its alumni individuals whose exceptional accomplishments inspire our entire community,” said Jill Smith, executive director of the UK Alumni Association. “Through the Hall of Distinguished Alumni, we honor these outstanding leaders and offer a powerful example for current and future Wildcats to follow.” 

The 2025 inductees represent excellence across fields including the arts, sciences, public service, business and education. Their selection follows a months-long process led by a volunteer committee of alumni. 

“One of the most rewarding aspects of leading this committee is learning about the extraordinary journeys of our alumni," said Hannah Myers, chair of the selection committee and past president of the UK Alumni Association. “This year’s inductees exemplify the excellence of Wildcats across every field. Their achievements have left a lasting impact on their professions and communities, and we are honored to recognize their remarkable contributions.” 

The 2025 inductees list includes College of Design alum, Clyde R. Carpenter. Carpenter earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering with a focus on architecture in 1959. He was a celebrated architect, educator and preservationist who taught at UK for 57 years, shaping generations of design professionals. He served in leadership roles in the UK College of Architecture and College of Design, specializing in historic preservation and adaptive reuse, and his work was featured in Architectural Digest and on HGTV. Carpenter received numerous awards, including the C. Julian Oberwarth Gold Medal from AIA Kentucky, and his legacy endures in the students he mentored and the historic buildings he helped preserve. Carpenter died in 2022 at the age of 84 and will be inducted posthumously. 

The new class of inductees will join 333 alumni previously honored in the Hall of Distinguished Alumni. To read full Carpenter and the other inductees' full biographies, visit www.ukalumni.net/HODA.  

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For the purposes of this College website, this story has been modified to feature only the inductees related to the UK College of Design. This story originally featured the names and bios of all 2025 inductees and can be found here.