Name: John Bujosa
Job title: HR Information System Specialist
Department: Human Resource Services
How long have you worked at Whitworth? 3.5 years
What do you like best about your job? Everything! Great supervisors, great co-workers, and a great faculty, staff, and student community that I enjoy interacting with
In what ways do your gifts and abilities help meet the needs of the campus community you serve? The skills that I acquired from being in the technology field for over 30 years and as a manager of that technology for over 20 of those 30 years; 22+ previous years in higher education. I believe my time living in Europe, mostly Turkey, offers me a perspective on people, the job, and life in general that I am blessed to have and happy to share. Throughout my career I’ve been blessed with having many different opportunities to gain varying skills, and am always willing to help and share where I can.
Favorite book: The Bible
Favorite movies: “The Blues Brothers” and “West Side Story”
Favorite food: Pastelles – it is a Puerto Rican dish
Favorite quote: “¡Que Cosa Mas Grande!” which translates to “What a Great Thing!” It was a phrase that an aunt from Spain used in relation to the wonders and graciousness of the Lord.
Favorite music: I like all music but enjoy jazz the most.
Favorite animal: Tough to decide but it is between horses (I have three) and dogs. I never had a dog as a child but became a K-9 handler in law enforcement and have enjoyed them since. I currently have an American White Shepherd pup.
Guilty pleasure: Ice cream sundaes and banana splits
Hobbies: Car restoration, photography, videography, music, and target shooting
Best vacation ever: The best vacations I had were actually work-related, when I was stationed in Turkey in the early 1970s. I was able to travel all over Europe free of charge, thanks to space available on military flights.
Birth place: Harlem, New York
We’d be surprised to know that…I was an Eagle Scout. I also won national rifle and drill competitions two years in a row while in Naval ROTC.
We’d be surprised to know that…I was an Eagle Scout. I also won national rifle and drill competitions two years in a row while in Naval ROTC.
I collect…lots, but I’ll narrow it down: police and fire patches and badges.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? That list is pretty big but there is a mystique about Cuba that has always fascinated me, so that is on my list, as well as returning to Turkey and Spain. Ireland, New Zealand and Moscow are also on that list.
What cartoon character best describes you? Road Runner
If you could try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt? Commercial pilot. My son is living that dream for me now.
What is your favorite sound? The sound of a powerful V-8 engine in a classic car or truck
What is your life motto? Live life to the fullest but never live it at others’ expense.
If the whole world was listening, what would you say? “People! We are more alike than we are different! Let’s stop this madness and let’s go to a hockey game!”
Favorite childhood book: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Favorite childhood TV show: “The Red Skelton Show”
Least favorite word: Any negative or derogatory words
If you could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present), who would you choose and where would you go? It would have to be with my best friend and my wife of 29 years. We both want to do a trip that includes the old Route 66 and traveling throughout all the states.
Best high school class subjects: Math and science
