For Julie and Beth
Kelley, the University
experience is truly rel-
ative.

Meet their uncle
Mike, known to stu-
dents as University
President Michael
Adams.

"It’s kind of funny,"
said Beth, a sophomore in
exercise and sport sci-
ences. "I mean, I chose
UGA, and he ended up
being the president."

But these two sisters
from Stone Mountain keep it
all in perspective.

"I’m proud of him, and he
deserves it," said Julie, a
senior in interior design.

"Just because my aunt and
uncle live in the president’s
house doesn’t change anything.
They’re still my family."

"I know what he accom-
plished at Pepperdine and
Centre," said Beth, "so I’m anx-
ious to see what he will come up with, but I
know what a good job he’s done elsewhere."

Adams became the University’s 21st presi-
dent in June after a grueling selection
process, but the experience was easy for the
sisters.

"When he was announced as a finalist for
the job, we were really happy for him," said
Beth, "but until then we had no idea that he
was coming here."

Julie said that one day she opened up the
paper and saw his picture among the final-
ists.

"That was really a surprise, but we were
informed two weeks before the formal
announcement to the press," Julie said.
President Adams said that he intentionally
kept them in the dark.

"I think they were surprised to see me
show up as a finalist. I didn’t tell them,"
Adams said.

The entire family was excited about their
uncle’s new job.

"Our cousins Taylor and David (Adams’
two college-age sons) and our grandparents
are all really happy for him," Beth said.
The two look forward to seeing a lot more
of their uncle.

"Now it won’t be as complicated figuring
out where we’re going for Christmas," Julie
said.

"We’ve always had a close family," said
Beth. "Only now we are physi-
cally closer."

Julie pointed out that some things will be
different now that Adams is on campus.

"He’s really into politics and students,"
Julie said. "He’s got a picture of him and
Elizabeth Taylor at a fund raiser. He’s also
got pictures of him with former Presidents
Reagan and Bush. He also did a great deal to
beautify the Centre College campus."

In addition to his fund-raising skills, Beth
said, her uncle also maintained a good rela-
tionship with students.

"I know that at Centre he encouraged stu-
dents to stop in at his office and talk," Beth
said.

"I never saw Charles Knapp around cam-
pus, but I know that Mike would like to meet
all 30,000 students if he could," said Julie.

"Maybe the students will become more
attached to the president with my uncle in
the office."

For Julie, a senior, the fact that her uncle
is at the University means a lot.

"For me, it will be really special," she said.
"I will get my diploma from my uncle and my
diploma will have his signature on it."

Beth will have three years to see how her
uncle will do at the helm of the state’s flag-
ship university.

Julie and Beth said their friends are very
supportive of their uncle and endure a little
innocent ribbing from their friends.

"Our friends think it’s awesome, but I
haven’t made or lost friends because of it,"
Julie said.

"Its all been real positive for me," said her
sister.

The sisters said they receive only one spe-
cial privilege from their uncle’s position.

"If we want to, we can drop in at the presi-
dent’s house and get a home cooked meal,"
said Julie.

The two sisters know they stand out in a
crowd to their uncle.

"Last Saturday, I was at the game and I
saw my uncle surrounded by lots of people,
but I just went up to him and gave him a big
hug," Beth said.

"Before the first game I was at the presi-
dent’s house," Julie said. "There were lots of
people there, including the governor, so I got
in the receiving line, but Mike and Mary
grabbed me and we got a picture. It made me
feel good that they would acknowledge me
that way."

The sisters have some advice for their
uncle now that he’s here on campus.

Students should know "that (Adams) is
trying to make a difference while he’s at
UGA," said Beth.

Julie said that "he should do the same
thing he’s done before, because that’s what
he’s known for."

President Adams said he was thrilled they
are on campus.

Adams said, "They are representative of
the bright energetic students we have here at
UGA."