Honorary Degree, Doctor of Humane Letters

Sally Ives Gore

Innovative human resources executive, you received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary and a master’s degree in education from the University of Delaware.

Following work as an educator, you joined W.L. Gore Associates, where you developed one of the country’s first flexible benefit plans, created an employee-focused culture, and started a child-care center. During your time as head of human resources, Gore was repeatedly named by Fortune as one of the Best Companies to Work For in the United States.

Champion of youth and education, you are a major supporter of opportunities for youth and college students. You have been a loyal advocate of the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay, and you brought to Delaware the organization Vision to Learn, which provides free eye exams and glasses to children in need. You and your family established the I Have a Dream Foundation of Delaware, a program for disadvantaged youth. In recognition for these and other outreach initiatives, you received a Leadership and Community Service Award in 2017 from UD’s College of Education and Human Development, where you also serve as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council.

You have established scholarships at both William and Mary and the University of Delaware. You have served your undergraduate alma mater on numerous committees and boards, including its governing body, the Board of Visitors.

Dedicated Blue Hen, the impact of your support can be seen throughout the University of Delaware campus in numerous buildings and spaces. Your generosity and commitment to education in the community and at your alma maters has been life-changing for countless students.Therefore, under the authority of the Board of Trustees of the University of Delaware, I have the pleasure and honor of conferring upon you, Sally Ives Gore, the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters and do declare you entitled to all the rights, honors, and privileges to that degree appertaining throughout the world.

Terri L. Kelly
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
May 2023