COLUMBUS, Miss.—George Wolfe, English professor emeritus at The University of Alabama, grew up in a home that celebrated the arts and the academic discipline to which he would devote a career.
His mother, Nell Lyon Peel Wolfe, was one of four sisters from Waynesboro, all of whom graduated from then-Mississippi State College for Women. Nell, an English major, also studied French and Spanish, as well as becoming an accomplished golfer—an interest she would maintain throughout her life.
A gift from the Wolfe family of Tuscaloosa is continuing Mrs. Wolfe’s legacy at The W. The Nell Peel Wolfe Lecture Series is now a signature event in the university’s Gordy Honors College, something George Wolfe says is a worthy tribute to the mother who celebrated academic achievement.
“She had an abiding interest in the arts, literature and the life of the mind until her death in 1982,” he said. “No memorial would have brought her greater satisfaction than the establishment of a lecture series at her alma mater.”
The Wolfe’s were at The W Thursday [April 18] evening to be recognized for the gift and to attend a lecture by Bill Rosemann, an editor for Marvel Comics.
A veteran in the industry, Rosemann spoke to students in the Gordy Honors College as well as faculty, staff and the community during a public presentation. His message was one of inspiration and a rare look into the comic book world.
He said, “It’s escapism. It’s inspiration. The costumes are great. The primary colors--the red and the blue. So they are exciting to look at, but beneath all of that, there is a really good message, and it speaks to all generations throughout history.”
During his tenure, Rosemann has worked on projects that include Avengers Academy, Guardians of the Galaxy, Hulk Smash Avengers, Thunderbolts, Hawkeye & Mockingbird, Secret Warriors, The Thanos Imperative, Black Panther: The Man Without Fear and Marvel Zombies.