Catching Up With…
(English Literature) Rob Pearigen.
Question
#1: What was your position at Towering Oaks and how long did you
work there?
Mr. Pearigen: I taught 12th grade English Literature and 11th grade American Literature in 1977.
Question #2: Please tell us how you are doing and about your life today?
Mr. Pearigen: Life is happy and full. I live in Sewanee, Tennessee with my wonderful wife, Phoebe Stone Pearigen, our two delightful children, Carolyn (age 11) and Wesley (age 9), and our golden retriever, Talley. We live in a house on the brow of the Cumberland Plateau with a panoramic view of the mountains and valleys of East Tennessee. We are indeed blessed.
I am dean of students and a professor of Political Science at the University of the South. Phoebe teaches in the Theatre Department at Sewanee and has a dance conservatory for children in the community. (She was a ballerina before she threw her life and career away to marry me!) We enjoy living in this small and intimate community of Sewanee where we are able to make lasting friendships with our colleagues and our students.
Question #3: Fill us in on what you have done over the years since your days at Towering Oaks.
Mr. Pearigen: After teaching at Towering Oaks, I attend Duke University where I received my M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science. I taught for several years at Virginia Tech and Hillsdale College (in Michigan) before returning to my alma mater, Sewanee, in 1987. Since returning to Sewanee it has been my privilege to teach and serve in a senior administrative capacity at one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the country.
Question #4: What is your favorite memory(s) from Towering Oaks?
Mr. Pearigen: My fondest memory is of the gracious way that the students accepted me, mid-year and novice that I was, as their English teacher. They embraced learning in a receptive and enthusiastic manner (or at least fooled me in thinking they were doing so!) and made the experience most enjoyable. We studied more Shakespeare than they bargained for (since that was one of my concentrations in college), but they were wonderful in their willingness to change course and adapt to my background and teaching methods.
I also have fond memories of the faculty, and I especially enjoyed teaching alongside my good friend from high school days, Brad Smith.
Question #5: Is there a message to the alumni of Towering Oaks that you would like for us to pass along?
Mr. Pearigen: Please pass along my warmest regards and best wishes. I would love to see any of my former students should they be in my neck of the woods.
Thank you Mr. Pearigen and we wish you continued success. For all of you ladies out there his email address is rpearige@sewanee.edu.
