Peyton Hall grew up in a small town in Northeastern Kentucky and only dreamed of going to the University of Kentucky. However, with the rising cost of attendance and the barriers to higher education, that dream didn’t always seem possible. Thanks to the generous donors of Gatton College and the University of Kentucky, Peyton received financial assistance.

Payton shares, “Not only have the scholarships that I’ve received from Gatton College and the University of Kentucky allowed me to gain a world-class education, but they have also enabled me to gain a global mindset with professional competencies that I will utilize for the rest of my life. The scholarships I’ve been awarded have alleviated the financial burden on my family. It has allowed me to pursue other educational opportunities that wouldn’t have been possible, including an opportunity to pursue a semester-long study abroad in Paris, France, to satisfy the requirements of the Global Scholars Pathway and earn credits towards my International Business minor. Scholarships have not only given me the privilege to be in the classroom, but they have enabled me to discover the depth of a college degree.”

Peyton walked across the stage this semester, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting with a minor in International Business and a Global Scholars Certificate. He is proud to share that after three years, he graduated summa cum laude with a cumulative 4.0 GPA. “I could not be more grateful for the opportunities given to me by the University, Gatton College of Business and Economics, and the Lewis Honors College, and I believe that I am more prepared for the next chapter," he says. 

We asked Payton what his plans are after graduation. He shared, “I am eager to continue my summer internship with Myers & Stauffer while beginning the next step in becoming a CPA, taking the exams. Once the summer ends, I'm excited to move to NYC to begin my post-graduate journey!”