Name: Kerith Foley Amen

Family: My daughter, Adair (UGA 2032 hopeful) and two fur kids (1) that we love to pieces, Violet and Welles.

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

Current Town: New Orleans, Louisiana

What Years at UGA: 1990-1994

School/Degree: Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, BA in English and a minor in French. I spent a lot of time in Park Hall.

Profession: Senior Project Manager, Healthcare Publishing and Media

Accolades: Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority member – served as Public Relations Chairman, Order of Omega, Rho Lambda, and Pi Delta Pi Honor Societies, Metairie Park Country Day Alumni Board.

What life lessons did you learn while at UGA? I learned so much during my time at UGA, I count those years as some of the best times of my life. I learned about being independent and creating a balance between my studies and socializing. I also learned how important it is to have a support network away from home and my friends at UGA provided me with that. So many of my friendships that started at UGA are still a part of my life today.

What professor did you most admire (and why)? Dr. Fran Teague. I took several Shakespeare classes with Dr. Teague and loved studying Shakespeare. Dr. Teague always made studying Shakespeare interesting and fun.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? First, I would say my daughter, Adair. She is the brightest light in my life. Her dad, my husband, Rob, passed away from leukemia in 2018 when she was four years old. She reminds me of him and looks so much like him. She motivates me to show up every day and to lead by example with compassion and integrity.

Second, would be my 16-year career at Time Inc. working for Sports Illustrated in New York City. I loved my time in NYC and working for Sports Illustrated. I made lifelong friends with my colleagues.

Third, would be never taking a 7:50 am class in my four years at UGA!

Which historical figure do you most identify with? I admire Nelson Mandela. He dedicated his life, and was imprisoned for 27 years, for the cause of racial desegregation and democracy for South Africa. He sacrificed his life to help achieve equality for all people. His determination, resolve, and selflessness to continue fighting for his cause are inspirational.

Who are your heroes in real life? My late husband, Rob, is my biggest hero. He had the most positive outlook on life, faced every day with a smile and loved to make other people smile. Even after being diagnosed with leukemia, Rob maintained a positive attitude. He reminds me that life is short, to live each day fully, and to be grateful for my health.

I would also say people in professions that serve others every day. Our armed forces, first responders, healthcare workers, etc. I admire them for the sacrifices they make for others on a daily basis.

Quote to live by: It’s not the destination, it’s the journey,” by Ralph Waldo Emerson and “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” This quote is attributed to Gandhi, although it was paraphrased from the following: “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.” – Mahatma Gandhi

It’s an important message that kindness in the world starts with you and can have a profound impact on others.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? A crisp, Fall Saturday gameday in Athens, seeing old friends and the Dawgs play between the hedges or watching a movie with my daughter, under blankets, on the couch. I know those days of her being my shadow are numbered.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I am a great proofreader; my friends call me “eagle eye.”

What do you most value in your friends?

I value their friendship and the reciprocity of a close friendship. I have many close friends that I do not see very often, but when I do, we pick up right where we left off and it’s like no time has passed.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Probably not being my biggest critic and giving myself more grace, as I try to do with anyone else. You never know the burdens or heartache that another is carrying.

Who are your favorite writers? Pat Conroy would be one of my favorites. I can read his books over and over. It started with The Great Santini in high school and I wanted to read anything he wrote.

I also love the poetry of Rumi. I took a memorable creative writing class at UGA from Coleman Barks, who is the foremost translator and interpreter of Rumi’s poetry. Rumi’s poetry is beautiful and transcends time.

Fave social media and who to follow?I look at Instagram for levity. Smiling and laughing triggers your brain to produce dopamine and endorphins, so it is good for you! Anything with animals (baby goats, monkeys, etc.) is my go-to.