What is your full name? “Mary Margaret Wolff. At school and professionally I go by Mary but with friends it’s Maggie which is derived from Margaret. I know it’s confusing but call me either one.”
Where are you from and where did you grow up? “I am from Florida and I grew up in Fort Myers and Apopka.”
Why did you choose to study at the University of South Florida? “I had visited other colleges and when I arrived at USF for a campus visit, it felt like I was where I was supposed to be. USf has a great vibe and the students are diverse which was something I was looking for in a college.”
What is your major? Minor? “My major is English – creative writing track. I don’t have a minor, but I am a part of the Honors College at USF.”
What would you like to do as a career after graduation? “My dream career would be to work as full time writer and teach a few college courses in English part-time as well. Since teaching at the college level requires a graduate degree, I will probably end up teaching high school English while working towards my graduate degree. I love the idea of trying to get other people excited about literature!”
Do you plan to attend graduate school? “Yes! I hope to attend Vanderbilt or University of Iowa Writers Workshop to get my MFA in creative writing. I am already really excited about grad school even though I’m only a Junior.”
What are you passionate about? “I’m passionate about writing and literature. I believe literature is our window to the world and allows us to gain a better understanding of ourselves. I’m also passionate about USF! I have a rapidly growing collection of USF merchandise. I even have a Rocky pillow pet!”
Do you have any hobbies or play any sports? “I like to write poetry and fiction everyday. I’m currently working on my first novel! I also enjoy biking, running, reading and taking my dog for long walks. My dog is a pug and beagle mix which is called a puggle. His name ryhmes with his breed. He is Snuggle Puggle. My name is confusing enough, so I gave him a very simple name.”
Do you have a favorite quote? “‘The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’ – Eleanor Roosevelt. I like this quote because it’s true that if you believe in yourself then you can do anything you set your mind to. ‘Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.’ – Budda. This quote sums up my outlook. I always say I’m too lazy to hold a grudge against someone, but really it is such a waste of time and energy to stay mad about things.”