As part of Suntory Global Spirits’ ongoing support of the University of Kentucky James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits (JBBI), the first class of James B. Beam Scholars has been announced. 

The purpose of the James B. Beam Scholars Endowed Fund is to support one or more annual scholarships for students enrolled in the Distillation, Wine and Brewing Studies Certificate program, age 21 or over. This year, $15,000 was awarded to the three students, all of whom are from Kentucky. 

This year’s recipients, selected by a committee of JBBI faculty, include Kyle Heffernan, product design major at the UK College of Design; Zachary Lockhart, chemical engineering major at the UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering; and Sophie Cox, also a chemical engineering major at the UK Pigman College of Engineering. 

“Having lived in Kentucky my entire life, I’m excited to study a field that is so deeply rooted in the state,” Cox said. “This certificate gives me the ability to blend traditions with modern science, enabling me to contribute to an industry that is both a proud part of our history and essential to our future. I’m eager to create products that honor Kentucky’s legacy while driving innovation forward.” 

Lockhart served in the first class of Beam Institute interns this summer. 

“As a Kentuckian, I am proud to be earning my Distilling, Wine and Brewing Studies (DWBS) Certificate because Kentucky is the ‘Home of Bourbon,’” Lockhart said. “Getting to learn about physical bourbon production and the science behind it allows me to do my part in keeping Kentucky labeled this way.” 

Heffernan shared that his time at the Institute has earned him an external internship. 

“I believe that the certificate will propel my value as an employee, allowing me to gain knowledge that will help me improve my future employer’s brewing and distilling operations,” Heffernan said. “I secured an internship with Briggs of Burton, where I worked with process and design engineers to help plan the expansion projects at breweries and distilleries around the world.” 

Freddie Noe, 8^th Generation Master Distiller at Jim Beam and Fred B. Noe Distillery, understands the importance of investing in the future. 

“Our industry depends on the next generation of farmers, scientists, engineers and distillers who are passionate about making quality bourbon and spirits,” Noe said. “The hands-on experiences that students get at the Beam Institute is second to none in supporting their technical education, and we’re proud to provide this scholarship to invest in the future leaders of the spirits industry.” 

Applications for next year’s Beam Scholars will open in January 2025 at https://beaminstitute.ca.uky.edu/scholarships. Information about other available scholarships for the Institute can be found there as well. 

“I am proud of our incredible JBBI students, and it is humbling to celebrate them as Beam Scholars,” said Seth DeBolt, director of JBBI. “The Beam family motto of, ‘come as friends, leave as family,’ is the DNA of this gift to support the next generation of distillers as family. We at the University of Kentucky James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits are very grateful.” 

To learn more about JBBI at the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, visit https://beaminstitute.ca.uky.edu. 

Writer: Grace Sowards, grace.sowards@uky.edu 

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