As the U.S. presidential election closes, some in the University community may be wondering who its own president supported – but Michael Adams isn’t telling.

“I don’t endorse candidates and I don’t endorse initiatives,” Adams said in an interview. “I represent a very big, broad, diverse community, and there are people here on every side of every issue.”

“When I come into a room, I want people thinking UGA – and nothing else – when they see me. This university has been my main focus for the last 12 years.”

Adams said he doesn’t support or condemn any initiatives like “war, solar power or abortion.”

“Getting drawn into extraneous issues is not in this University’s best interest.”

Adams said he can’t ignore the scrutiny and criticism he encounters as president.

“They cause you to ask some good questions about what you are doing.”

But he said he doesn’t appreciate it when the criticisms get personal. In those cases, he said, “I take it for a grain of salt.”

Adams said he presses on if he becomes the subject of controversy.

“I don’t obsess about things … If I get upset, I move on 30 minutes later.”

One-third of his time is devoted to fundraising and the other two-thirds are divided between leadership and academic issues.

“No two days are alike,” he said. He further divides his time between working with students, the administration, committees, foundations and legislators.

“I am very comfortable on a college campus,” he said. “I like the intellectual exchange, the lectures, the ball games, the concerts and the hoopla.”

For a life in the public eye, Adams said he consistently relies on the adage “treat others as you would like to be treated.”

“It’s no different in business,” he said. “People know when you are real or not. Most people’s expectations are realistic.”

He said impatience is one weakness.

“Like most students, I want to get things done now. I need to think things through.”

Before he retires, Adams said he wants to see the University’s medical school completed, among other initiatives.

“I think I’m going to be here a while yet.”

He said he plans to spend his eventual retirement teaching and writing books.