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Sad News for Service Learning


We are deeply saddened to share with you the news of the passing of Dr. Harry C. Silcox on Saturday, December 5, 2009. Founder of the Institute for Global Education and Service Learning, Harry helped popularize the integration of reflection into service learning, created the nationally recognized cross-age tutoring program, the National Literacy Corps, and started some of the first intergenerational oral history service learning projects. Harry passed quietly in his sleep at home.


Educator and historian Dr. Harry C. Silcox first came to prominence in the 1950s as a star basketball player for Temple University. He earned a doctorate in education from Temple and had a long career at Abraham Lincoln High School in Philadelphia, where he started as basketball coach in 1957 and later moved into administration. He served as Assistant Principal of Lincoln High from 1967 to 1976 and as Principal from 1976 to 1991.



An innovative educator, in 1987 he was recognized with the prestigious Marcus Foster Memorial Award, given annually to a Philadelphia public school administrator who exemplifies leadership, compassion, and intellectual curiosity. A leading proponent of service learning, he sought to integrate this philosophy into his work for the Philadelphia School District.


After retiring from the School District in 1991, Harry Silcox established and served as Director of the Pennsylvania Institute for Environmental and Community Service Learning at Philadelphia University, now the Institute for Global Education and Service Learning. As Executive Director of the Institute from 1991 to 2001, he consulted on service learning programs nationally and internationally and oversaw many local service learning projects, including a number of intergenerational projects that brought together students, seniors, and community members to document the unique history of many of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. During this time he also authored several books including Reflection: Adding Cognitive Learning to Community Service Programs, Motivational Elements, and Service Learning: Influence on Education Worldwide.


Best known in his later years as a historian, Harry wrote numerous books, feature articles for the local newspaper, and lectured widely on Northeast Philadelphia history.  Harry Silcox was considered by many as the foremost historian of the area.


Harry will be greatly missed. He touched the lives of many in Philadelphia, across the country, and around the world.


I was lucky to have known Harry all my life, personally and professionally. He helped me to find more than a job or a career - to find my passion and gave me an opportunity to pursue it everyday. He was one of a kind and I will always be grateful for having known him and worked with him.



Joan Lennon Liptrot

Executive Director