Honors, Awards, and Offices

Slim Ardis received numerous honors and awards throughout his life. He also served as an officer of a number of professional and community service organizations. Here are a few of those honors, awards, and offices held...

1942-54 -- One of the "Twelve Who Cared." A dozen school superintendents from around the country lobbied Congress, testified before Congressional Committees, and generally brought attention to the problems of public education which had been amplified by the dislocations of WWII.

1942-43 -- Selected to participate in the "Air University," operated by Harvard University and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. Selected educators were flown each summer to various military installations and defense contractor locations to learn of the educational and personnel needs for the "war effort." 

1955 April 5 -- Citation from The University of Michigan (UofM) School of Education for "Outstanding Service to Education." 

1955-56 -- Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA), President.

1956 -- Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA), Special Service Award.

1957 -- Named "Citizen of the Year," Ypsilanti, Michigan USA.

1959-60 -- Served as Vice President and President Elect of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). [NOTE: Did not take office as President in 1960, as he was no longer a superintendent of schools, having gone to The University of Michigan during his term as Vice President.]

1960 June 11 -- Awarded Doctor of Laws degree from Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti, Michigan USA.

1965-77 -- Served on the Organizing Committee that founded Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA.

Photo courtesy WCC.

Was elected to the first Board of Trustees, served as first Chairman of that Board, and was a Trustee for a total of twelve (12) years. For more information see the WCC web site...

Online Version     Cached

Tenure listed there is only the first "staggered term" for each initial member... necessary to establish the 'rotation' of future board members. Slim received an initial seven-year term, 1965-72, and was subsequently re-elected.

1968-69 -- President, Association for School, College and University Staffing (ASCUS).

1970 June 5 -- Ground was broken for the Evart W. Ardis Elementary School in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan USA. The school is now Ardis Renaissance Academy, an elementary magnet school for languages and the fine and performing arts. The school was named after Slim for his service as Superintendent of Schools in Ypsilanti from 1952-59.

1975 August -- Western Michigan University (WMU) Distinguished Alumnus Award.

1981 December 2 -- Cited by the Oakland County, Michigan USA Superintendents of Schools as a "special friend and colleague," for his service in helping staff their public schools. 

1982 -- Inducted into the Michigan Education Hall of Fame.

1982 January 20 -- Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) Distinguished Administrator Award for 25 years of service as an administrator in Michigan Public Schools.

1982 March 24 -- Commendation from the Michigan State Legislature, "For Service to Education."

1982 -- On retirement from the University of Michigan (UofM), was granted status by the Regents as Director Emeritus. As such, Slim continued to be listed in the UofM Staff Directory until his death.

Online Version     Cached