NASHVILLE — Union University awarded a bachelor of arts degree to Pauline LaFon Gore, the 87-year-old mother of Vice President Al Gore, at an April 10 private luncheon in Nashville.
Pauline Gore is a former student at the 2,500-students Baptist-affiliated university, which was founded in 1823. Gore also is a native of Jackson, Tenn., where Union is located.
Gore attended the nonpolitical event in honor of his mother and credited Union with starting his mother on the road to her life’s accomplishments. Also in attendance were the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s president, Jerry Tidwell, and executive director-treasurer, James Porch, who gave the benediction.
“As long as I love,” Gore said. “I will be grateful to Union University for starting my mother on her path in life to higher education, and for granting her the diploma she first worked so hard for 70 years ago.
Pauline Gore, a member of New Salem Baptist Church, Carthage, Tenn., attended Union for two years, 1931-1933, before entering Vanderbilt University’s law school in Nashville. For many years, she had expressed disappointment at not being able to complete her four years at Union and earn a degree. She entered law school at a time when students were allowed to enroll in law school or medical school after only two years of undergraduate study.
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