Our Mission
The Mid-South Educational Research Association was formed in 1972 as a nonprofit incorporated educational organization to encourage and provide results of quality educational research in elementary and secondary schools and in institutions of higher learning.
Anyone supporting the purposes of the organization may become a member by filling out a membership form and submitting the required membership fee.
In Memoriam
Ronald Douglas Adams
Dr. Cliff Hofwolt
Executive Director Emeritus
July 7, 2016 - Message to Membership from Dustin Hebert, MSERA President
We have learned that our executive director, but more significantly our friend, Cliff Hofwolt, passed away the evening of July 5, 2016. Cliff was a long-time member of MSERA and has served as the association's executive director for over a decade. We are saddened by the loss of our friend and offer our prayers to his family and those closest to him.
Dr. Hofwolt's Faculty Profile from Vanderbilt University Web site
For the past several years, Cliff has been involved in developing integrated media instructional materials for use in elementary science methods courses for prospective elementary school teachers. These materials are organized around using video from actual classroom lessons to provide instructional cases that can be analyzed from multiple perspectives. Two video discs, Approaches to Teaching Science and Effective Teaching Practices in Science, have been developed for use in elementary science methods courses. These video discs are in the process of being transferred to CD-ROM. Cliff also developed the curriculum program HyperScience for Middle School Teachers, which uses counterintuitive events in a video format to develop student's abilities to explain science phenomena.
Cliff has also been active in the Mid-South Educational Research Association (MSERA). He served as President of this organization in 2000 and was a winner of the Harry Bowman Distinguished Service Award in 2002. Cliff currently serves as the Executive Director of MSERA. Read more.
September 21, 2016 - Letter to Camilla Benbow, Peabody College Dean, from Dustin Hebert, MSERA President
Read the letter.
November 1, 2016 - Message to Membership from Dustin Hebert, MSERA President
Today, the MSERA board voted unanimously to name Dr. Clifford Hofwolt the first-ever executive director emeritus of MSERA. This recognition was bestowed on Cliff for his many years of service to MSERA. Congratulations, my friend. We miss you.
Dr. Ava Pugh van Landingham
Ava Pugh van Landingham loved her friends, her university, and her community, and she impacted all who had the privilege to know and learn from her. She was passionate about teaching and dedicated her life to education, scholarship, and serving those who shared her thirst for knowledge.
A Native of Louisville, Mississippi, Dr. Ava Pugh was a consummate educator who inspired hundreds of teachers and their students. In 1980, Ava received her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Mississippi State University with cognates in science education and educational leadership. In 1984, she joined the education faculty of the University of Louisiana-Monroe (ULM) where she taught generations of undergraduate and graduate students for next four decades.
During her tenure, Dr. Pugh published over 130 research papers and articles and delivered over 300 scholarly presentations at the state, national and international levels. As a full professor, Dr. Pugh held the Endowed Professorship for Bell South Science Education and served as the Elementary Education Program Coordinator for over 30 years. She retired from the University of Louisiana-Monroe in 2020.
Dr. Pugh was an active officer of the Mid-South Educational Research Association (MSERA). She joined the organization as a student and continued to be a member throughout her career where she has served on the board since 1981. Additionally, she has served as President of the MSERA Foundation board since 2008.
Dr. Pugh supported several academic and community organizations including the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), NCATE SPA Elementary Education Chair, Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Phi, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Junior League of Monroe, and the Monroe Garden Club. Her accolades include being acknowledged as the Mississippi Outstanding Science Teacher for 1979 and as the Outstanding Professor for Teaching at ULM in 2005. Her hobbies included cooking, entertaining, traveling, reading, and writing. Her sharp intelligence and wry sense of humor will be keenly missed by her friends and family.
Ava is survived by Ronnie Brent Taylor, John Taylor, David Lee Pugh, Jerry Pugh, Wayne Pugh, Joyce Anne Lewis, Catherine Stokes, Carolyn Johns, and Betty Crowson. Ava was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ted van Landingham and by her parents, Fay and Rachel Pugh.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Dr. Pugh can be made to the Mid-South Educational Research Association Foundation which supports Ava’s lifelong dedication to scientific scholarship. Donations may be made through the Foundation on this page.
Investigating today to improve education tomorrow.
