Checking in with Alumni Board Member Kevin Abernethy

There’s a group of committed UGA alumni who dedicate their time, energy, and financial resources to bringing Bulldogs together year-round, worldwide, and lifelong. The UGA Alumni Board of Directors represents UGA’s diverse and passionate alumni family and strives to provide feedback, guidance and leadership as the university seeks to ensure that its graduates Never Bark Alone. Throughout the year, we’ll get to know these spirited graduates who hail from various backgrounds and are involved in all corners of campus.

Name:

• Kevin Abernethy

I live in:

• Macon, Georgia

Degree:

• 1999 – Political Science (UGA)

My current job:

• Chief of the Civil Division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia

I joined the alumni board in:

• 2020

Ways I support UGA:

• I serve on the UGA Alumni Board of Directors, the UGA School of Public and International Affairs Alumni Board of Directors, and the UGA Vice President of Student Affairs Advisor Board.
• I fund a Student Government Association Scholarship
• I mentor students through the UGA Mentor Program

My first job after graduation:

• Legislative assistant in the Georgia General Assembly

If I had $1 million, I would support the ­_____ fund on campus.

• Student Affairs

The UGA class that I enjoyed the most was:

• American Political Thought, taught by Professor Gene F. Miller

A story that stands out as a UGA student:

• In 1997, then UGA President Michael Adams and then Assistant to the President Victor Wilson (BSW ’82, MED ’87) asked me to speak during President Adams’ inauguration as the student representative. Georgia Gov. Zell Miller (AB ’57, MA ’58) and University System of Georgia Chancellor Stephen Portch were platform speakers with me.
• Over a thousand people from all over the country attended. President Adams and Victor ensured my parents could be present. Speaking at that event remains one of the highest honors of my life. I will always be grateful to UGA, President Adams and Victor for giving me the privilege.

My family includes:

• Mother, Marcia Abernethy
• Brother, Patrick Abernethy (BBA ’01)
• Sister-in-law, Erin Abernethy (AB ’03)
• Nephews William, Henry and Locke Abernethy
• Sister, Anne Abernethy (DVM ’12)

A special connection I have to UGA is:

• My great uncle, John T. Jones (BS ’39), played football at UGA for Wally Butts. He missed being on the 1942 National Championship team by one year.

As a student, I was involved in:

• Student Government Association: two terms in Senate and one term as student body president
• Academic Dishonesty Board: two years
• Holmes-Hunter Lecture Series, coordinated through Victor Wilson (BSW ’82, MED ’87)

On a Friday night in college, you would have found me:

• At the Last Resort Grill!

A fellow UGA grad who inspires me:

• Dr. Hamilton E. Holmes (BS ’63)

Do you remember someone as a student who has since “made it big?”

• Yes—Kirby Smart!

The most significant change to the physical campus since I was a student:

• The Miller Learning Center

My favorite tradition at UGA:

• Spending time on North Campus
• Visiting Jackson Street Cemetery
• Getting together with friends and spending time downtown

Favorite band:

• REM

On gameday, you’ll find me:

• Tailgating adjacent to the Tate Student Center

When I visit Athens, I grab a bite at:

• The Last Resort Grill

My most disliked athletic rival:

• Florida

My No. 1 tip to a graduating Bulldog:

• Work hard and don’t be deterred by adversity.

No. 1 tip to a fellow Georgia grad who has lost touch with our alma mater:

• Consider getting involved with your local UGA Alumni Chapter.

Kevin’s support across campus—including his commitment to supporting the Division of Student Affairs— embodies the spirit of UGA. We appreciate his unwavering dedication to his alma mater.