Clifford Hofwolt Research-in-Progress Award for STEM-Related Inquiry

Dr. Clifford (Cliff) Hofwolt, who served MSERA with distinction for more than 20 years, passed away in 2016. At the time of his death, he was MSERA’s Executive Director. He also was an MSERA Past President, served on numerous MSERA committees, and was a very visible face to anyone who attended MSERA’s annual meetings. Dr. Hofwolt was a passionate science educator, having served on the faculty of Peabody College at Vanderbilt University for four decades. As a memorial tribute to Dr. Hofwolt, the MSERA Board created a special Research in Progress (RiP) award in a STEM-related field bearing his name. 

In a typical year, the Mid-South Educational Research Foundation awards up to 10 awards for RiP, with each award being $100 for a total of $1,000. One of the 10 RiP awards presented each year is designated the “Clifford Hofwolt Research in Progress Award for STEM-Related Inquiry” (briefly to be known as the “Hofwolt RiP Award”). Hence, up to nine regular RiP awards will be given along with the one Hofwolt RiP Award. The stipend for the Hofwolt RiP Award will be $250, rather than the standard RiP award of $100. 

University students may submit for this award by using the established MSERA process for submitting for an RiP proposal. No additional process by the submitter will be required. The University Student Advisory Committee members assigned to make decisions on the RiP award will identify any proposals worthy of recognition for the Hofwolt RiP Award that focus on STEM-related research. The award will be given at the Thursday evening business meeting of the MSERA annual meeting. If possible, the recipient of the award should write a letter of thanks to be mailed to Dr. Hofwolt’s family members within one month of receipt of the award.