Decades in the Making: 79-year-old graduate fulfills lifelong dream

>>This month, Liberty University celebrates over 32,000 graduates who are ready to impact the world as Champions for Christ. Follow Liberty News for full Commencement coverage and more stories of trial and triumph from the Class of 2026.

Sara Poore (’26) knows it’s never too late to set goals — or to learn more about God’s Word. At 79 years old, Poore has earned a Bachelor of Science in Religion, making her the oldest graduate to earn a bachelor’s degree in Liberty University’s Class of 2026.

Though Poore had an interest in attending college after she graduated high school in 1964, she went on to marry her late husband, Charles, and they focused on raising their three children while volunteering in churches and ministries in their hometown of Jackson, Tenn. For decades, returning to school only seemed like a far-off dream.

Charles passed away in 1986, and just five years later Sara was diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation throughout the body. Her condition was serious enough that doctors told her she would not live past five years, but Poore overcame those odds.

In 2012, she said she started to yearn for something more in her life. Still battling lupus, there wasn’t much she was able to do physically, and she found herself bored. Since her husband was gone and her children were all grown up with families of their own, she wanted a new goal to focus on. She knew it had to be something she could do from the comfort of her home because of her chronic sickness.

One Sunday morning, she was watching the broadcast from Thomas Road Baptist Church, with Liberty Chancellor Jonathan Falwell, senior pastor, when an advertisement for Liberty’s Willmington School of Bible (an online diploma program) came on. Poore grew up studying the Bible and always stayed involved in church, and she had a desire to strengthen her knowledge of the Word. When the advertisement showed a 75-year-old woman graduating, Poore was inspired to enroll.

“When I saw that advertisement, I said ‘This is my chance,’” she said. “I had lupus, and I thought this would give me something to do and be able to study something I was really interested in. The Bible has always been the center of our family.”

Poore completed the diploma and was able to transfer her credits to the Bachelor of Science in Religion through Liberty University Online Programs. She said her children were stunned at her decision to go back to school at her age, but she remained determined to complete an undergraduate degree.

Poore slowly completed her studies over many years, occasionally putting her courses on hold when her lupus flared. But the convenient online format allowed her to pause and move forward whenever she needed. Though she said she struggled in some subjects, like math and English, she enjoyed the research aspect of her classes, noting it stretched her thinking.

“There’s so much you can get from other people’s ideas, even if I don’t always agree with them,” she said.

Her lifelong dream has finally been reached as Poore joins over 32,000 other graduates celebrating during this week’s Commencement.

Poore plans to use her degree to help bring others to the Lord through everyday encounters.

“I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to go finally complete my degree,” Poore said. “I love the Bible, and I can’t wait to share my new knowledge with everyone who needs the Lord in their life.”