Robert Sigmon Collection

Robert Sigmon was a pioneer on the forefront of experiential learning and experiential service. The majority of his manuscript collection reflects the decades of the 1970s through the 1990s in this field. His teachings, research, and development through workshops, discussions and classes provide insight into the field as it progresses away from rote or didactic learning. This type of learning is beneficial for self-directed students who take the initiative to acquire, apply and create the knowledge and skills needed to build character and community into creating a meaningful social change. In essence, experiential learning means taking the participant out of the classroom and into the world of reality. The information below was written by Robert Sigmon. Robert Sigmon was born in Lincoln County, NC, grew up in Charlotte, NC, graduated from Harding High School, and received a B.A. degree from Duke University in 1957. Following college, he served in West Pakistan as a lay missionary with the Methodist Church where he managed a hostel for 130 boys. Bob oversaw the care, feeding, study halls of the non-classroom life of these youngsters (ages 11-16) who came from the lowest caste families in the Punjab region of Pakistan. After three years in Pakistan, he studied for nine months at United Theological College in Bangalore, in southern India. Bob completed a Master of Divinity degree in 1964 at Union Theological Seminary, holding a two year field assignment as convener of a young adult ministry project at The Riverside Church in New York. During the Civil Rights era (1964-66) Bob and his wife, Marian, co-directed a Quaker Peace Corps type program in the southeast with the American Friends Service Committee. Given his work in Pakistan, New York and with economically and racially oppressed communities in the southeast, he became intrigued with the kinds of learning that occur when young people and adults engage in direct service activities with oppressed and marginalized people. So for the next 40 years he worked in positions centered on promoting public service based experiential learning, primarily in the southeastern USA. Through the Southern Regional Council (1966-1970) he promoted service based experiential learning throughout the southeast. He helped create in 1969 the North Carolina Internship Office (NCIO), a joint project of the Governor's Office and the Board of Higher Education (later became the consolidated UNC system) which promoted service based experiential learning throughout the state. From 1970-75 he directed the NCIO. During this time, he was part of a group that formed what is now the National Society for Experiential Education. He designed and managed a student initiated community based practicum for the new School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina (1975-78) and managed clinical training and continuing education programs for health care practitioners from 1978-91 in Raleigh, NC. Since 1991 he has consulted with national, state, and local programs supporting community-based public service based experiential learning. In the early 1990s he designed and presented workshops promoting servant-leadership through the Robert K. Greenleaf Center. For ten years he served as Senior Associate with the Engaged Community and Campus initiative of the Council of Independent Colleges in Washington, D.C. The Sigmon's moved to a small farm in Western North Carolina in 1999, although Marian continued to work from her home for the N.C. Division of Aging until 2001 and Bob continued his consulting business until 2005. He now aspires to become a competent gardener, beekeeper, woodworker and handyman. The family (his daughters and their families share the farm space) reside on a small farm in the Riceville community of northeastern Buncombe County. Biographical Sources: Composed by Robert Sigmon.