Former FIU first lady remembered by university president

Mark B. Rosenberg on Thursday, July 14, addressed the student body in a mass email that shared the unfortunate news concerning Mary Ann Wolfe.

“It is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of appreciation that I regret to inform you that our FIU family has lost one of our own,” said Rosenberg. “FIU’s former first lady Mary Ann Wolfe passed away on Monday.”

On Monday, July 11, FIU lost one of their former first ladies, Mary Ann Wolfe who was the wife of FIU’s third president, Gregory B. Wolfe who also passed away this year.

According to Rosenberg’s email, Wolfe graduated from UCLA in 1944 and began working for the federal government in the newsroom of the Office of Inter-American Affairs. She also served as a selection officer for the Peace Corps before joining the Women’s Bureau. She coordinated the Youth Program of the Woman’s Bureau of the United States Department of Labor before moving to Miami.

“Mary Ann brought elegance, style, charm and class to this university,” said Rosenberg. “One of our founders Paul Gallagher often said that when [Gregory] Wolfe was named President FIU received a double bonus: Mary Ann. Her exuberance, radiance, and zest for life were energizing for our entire community.”

Wolfe was a member of the board of the Portland Red Cross and the non-profit organization, YWCA. She directed a million-dollar capital funds when Gregory B. Wolfe served as president of Portland State University in Oregon.

The labor commissioner of Oregon appointed her as a member of the State Advisory Council on Sex Discrimination in Employment in 1971, and she served on countless volunteer boards including the Massachusetts State Board of the League of Women Voters, and the Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Damas Voluntarias.

“With a deep intellectual curiosity, knowledge of classical and modern literature, as well as an unmatched poise, taste and warmth that was apparent to anyone who met her, Mary Ann proved to be the perfect match for our FIU,” said Rosenberg.

Both Mary Ann and Gregory B. Wolfe were known to be a prominent part of encouraging the growth and expansion of the University. Under former President Wolfe’s term, FIU was able to become an upper-division university with doctoral programs.

They also both helped fund master’s and doctoral programs at FIU with a 10-year plan called the “Southeast Florida Comprehensive University Presence Plan.”

They were both credited for the development of the Biscayne Bay Campus. Under Gregory B. Wolfe’s direction, the campus added its first student residential housing, a new student center, an aquatic center and a library, and began offering a host of adult education programs. In recognition of these accomplishments, the student center – known as the Wolfe University Center – bears Gregory Wolfe’s name.

In honor of Mary Ann Wolfe, the Mary Ann Wolfe theatre at BBC re-opened in 2015 for her contributions to the University that also bears her name.The 300 seat theatre, which last saw renovations about seven years ago, hosts university and community events from jazz concerts to guest speakers.

“FIU was still a young institution when [Gregory] Wolfe became president,” said Rosenberg. “During his tenure, he dreamt of transforming FIU from an upper division university to a full, four-year university. And with Mary Ann at his side, he did. They embraced this institution with open arms. Together, they first put FIU on the map – giving us an identity and direction.”

According to Rosenberg’s email, Mary Ann Wolfe was remembered for being determined to help make FIU a higher education center. This had been accomplished by opening FIU’s doors to the world by bringing diplomats, heads of states, artists, entertainers and public intellectuals.

“Mary Ann is a reflection of what FIU stands for – care, compassion, and impact,” said Rosenberg. “Her academic, governmental and volunteer excellence served this institution well, and we’re fortunate to have had such a first lady.”

Their children Laura Ann, Gregory Nelson and Melissa Helene Wolfe; grandchildren Galen Nelson and Anna Wolfe Pauly and Marie Elise Wolfe-Callahan; and great-grandchild Ko Sugihara Pauly are survived by them.

 

 

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