LEXINGTON,Ky. — A virtual graduation took place Friday afternoon at the University of Kentucky. One of the graduates was Benjamin Scales. 

In the late 1980s, Scales was a student at UK; in 2020, Scales can finally say he's a college graduate. Scales began his college career in Paducah before transferring to the UK campus in Lexington. Because of his failing grades and participation, the university asked him to leave. 

“Studying and my coursework were not very important to me during that time and so I was invited by the university to leave as my grades were so poor that they said maybe you ought to take some time off and reconsider. And that's what I did,” Scales said.

Scales who now owns a roof consulting firm in Texas says using online classes and with help from staff members at the university, he was able to find a way to finish the degree he started 30 years ago. He earned a Bachelors Degree of Liberal Studies.

“Earning this credential was extremely difficult, but through the process of continuing education hours and training, it got my mindset thinking that going in and learning through the internet portal, was a viable way of getting an education obviously,” Scales said.

As Scales went through his classes the second time around, he was determined to be successful. Completing his degree all while running a full-time business. 

“Over the last 16 months, I was able to go through nonstop, 14 classes, and each of those classes I've earned an A because I was so fearful of another fail. I would not be able to live with myself,” Scales said.

The University of Kentucky posted its 2020 Virtual Commencement on its YouTube and social media platforms for students, faculty members, and alumni to watch and celebrate.