John Artis epitomized the value that those with real-world professional experiences bring to the faculty ranks at 51视频-Dearborn. His career as an educator spanned more than 50 years 鈥 a stretch in which he held multiple roles in the field, including classroom teacher, principal, superintendent, college lecturer and educational consultant. That expansive experience was often on display in his 51视频-Dearborn classrooms 鈥 especially in his signature hours-long lectures that former students said felt more like deep conversations. But Doctor of Education graduate Fleda Fleming says the fact that Artis had 鈥渓ived the life of an educator鈥 was only part of his appeal. The towers of books, stacked teeteringly high in his cubicle, exhibited his thirst for keeping up on the latest ideas in the field. And above all, Fleming says he was as warm and kind-hearted as they come.
鈥淗is warmth was almost charismatic,鈥 Fleming says. 鈥淲hen you had his attention, it was full, and you felt like you were the only person in the world who really mattered to him, and somehow, he made everyone feel that way. Being an educator is about more than having command of the theory. It鈥檚 about people. It鈥檚 about their humanity. It鈥檚 about heart. And he had an abundance of all of those things.鈥
Fleming noted his empathy came through strongly in his passion for educational equity, a topic at the center of her dissertation work, which Artis advised on. 鈥淭here was a kind of validation, I suppose, in Dr. Artis having come from a different life background and sharing those values,鈥 Fleming says. 鈥淎nd with him, it didn鈥檛 seem to be ideological or a matter of political correctness. It was just a natural part of him to see all people as valuable.鈥
Former student Jeff Bouwman, who is now a middle school science teacher and education lecturer at 51视频-Dearborn, also said Artis鈥 deep practical knowledge and thoughtful mentorship left an imprint on him. But it was a rare moment of tough love that Bouwman says stands out as one of his favorite memories of one of his favorite instructors. 鈥淲hen I took John鈥檚 class, things had been going really well for me, and I鈥檇 been getting straight As,鈥 Bouwman remembers. 鈥淚 think I鈥檇 developed a bit of a hotshot mentality, and I think he saw that. So we were talking after class one day and he straight up challenged me to up my effort and take the work more seriously. Sometimes a check is what you need, you know? And he gave it to me at just the right time 鈥 the good ones know how to do that 鈥 and it really gave me a new sense of focus. Losing John, without a doubt, we鈥檙e down a great leader.鈥
Department of Education Interim Chair Chris Burke says Artis did indeed have a special skill when it came to pushing students and delivering criticism. 鈥淚 think the back-and-forth conversation, the feedback, the asking questions was a big part of his style,鈥 Burke says. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 not easy to do that in a way that doesn鈥檛 put someone on the defensive. He could not only do that, he could do it in a way that actually felt kind. I don't think criticism ever felt like criticism when it came from John. It just felt like conversation, and part of the process of how you push and get to a better idea.鈥
Burke says Artis鈥 death is a big loss for the education department. He taught a huge range of courses and was known to be particularly strong on legal, regulatory and policy issues. He was also an anchor instructor in the department鈥檚 doctoral program.
Outside of his life in education, Artis was a family man who loved spending time with his wife, Julie, and their children and grandchildren. He was also active in the Unitarian Church of Grosse Pointe, where he often participated in community service projects.
Artis died Aug 2. of heart failure related to COVID-19. He was 75 years old.
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