Arthur "Art" Charles Hulse

Art lived a truly remarkable life, touching countless lives through his passion, generosity, and love for nature. May the precious memories shared bring comfort and strength to all his family and friends. Rest in eternal peace, Art. You will be deeply missed.

First impressions of Art: a cowboy from New Jersey?

We were both young, untenured faculty in a town that doubled in size when IUP was in session, meaning every other storefront on main street was a student bar – exception (at least for a while), the Brown Hotel.

Over many hours playing pool at the Brown Hotel, I was informed that pointy cowboy boots were ideal for inserting your foot into a stirrup and the snaps that replaced buttons on a cowboy shirt were handy as you were able to put on your shirt with one hand (the other holding the reins of the horse). Further, I recall several late-night conversations with you insisting you would not live past 50 (implication being, why not spend the limited time you have in this bar). Well, you/we made it far beyond 50 and if Chris was on my shoulder, she would now whisper “it was due to the good woman in your life” — and we both know she is correct.

Thinking of you over the last several weeks, one word and one phrase kept popping into my mind. They are “irascible” and “true grit” (sorry, cannot get away from the cowboy theme).

A couple of stories that relate to the above.

Recall the student evaluations that IUP required at the end of every semester that included several multiple-choice questions with resulting ratings largely dependent on how many A’s were given out. These were largely ignored by us. But there was an open ended “other” question at the end where IF a student was serious enough to take the time, they could write in a comment. We were only interested in the thoughts of serious students and so unlike the multiple-choice responses, the comments were read. To set the stage, see yourself as your students did at the lecture wearing Levi’s, a snap-closure shirt and cowboy boots. My favorite from your evaluations was a student who asked, “Who dresses you?”

And then there is “irascible” in that you always had DEFINATE ideas on any topic and defended that point of view vigorously, until, of course, you changed your mind in which case you defended an idea one eighty from the first with equal vigor. I was also impressed with your expressive body language. For example, during hot discussions in faculty meetings, you would stretch your legs and place your cowboy boots onto the lab table you were sitting at to emphasize your point.

The “true grit” is best illustrated by another classic Art story. Not only was the trend (sadly, still occurring) to inflate grades, which as noted above tended to improve student ratings necessary for tenure and promotion. But with shrinking state budgets, IUP was increasingly dependent upon tuition dollars and therefore the holy word “retention” came down from on high. Keep the students regardless of their performance – keep the tuition dollars.

A student appears during Art’s office hours at the end of the semester “Dr. Hulse, it is true that I rarely attended class and equally true that I did not do well on your exams, but I did try very hard and thus do not feel I deserved the “F” grade you gave me.” Dr Hulse’s response: “Well son, I agree that you did not deserve the “F”, unfortunately, they will not allow me to give you a lower grade.”

In short, you “stuck to your guns” (OK, this cowboy stuff is now going too far) which was also part of the irascible with the result that you are the epitome of “what you see if what you get.” All who have taken the time to get to know you know exactly where you stand and admire the integrity which you maintain under the greatest pressure. Of course, another prime example of your constancy is your enduring love for and support of Alicia (the aforementioned “good woman” in your life).

You have lived the good life with YOU defining “good” to include high principles (occasionally shifting, but to an equally high alternate principle) in a world where sadly, principles, high or low are increasingly hard to find. You are a good man who benefited most everyone you encountered (although some did not realize it at the time) – I certainly benefited.

The note we received from Alicia was entitled “End of the road for Art” – it was a road you traveled well with an integrity that intimidated some but was admired by all. That you for sharing that road with me – and so many others that admire and love you.

I had the privilege of meeting Art as a board member of BRAC. He was a very gentle man, and he shared his love for nature with us. I am fortunate to have met Art.

A man of integrity who will be greatly missed by our family, who contributed a lot to the growth of the family.
Your companionship will be missed
for ever.

A friend, a neighbor, a colleague, a mentor. He is missed.

Some of my fondest memories of graduate school at IUP are with Art. He and I would talk about so many things while knee deep in muck. He was responsible for my lifelong interest in herpetology, and I’ll always remember the time I spent with him as one of his last graduate students. Godspeed, Dr. Hulse. You will be missed.