Two-Minute Interview – John Bower

John Bower Public Affairs Coordinator, uOttawa Gee-Gees

I coordinate the communications and promotional needs of the 10 varsity teams within Sports Services, as well as the campus recreation programs.

What is it about your job that inspires you the most?

Dealing with our student-athletes. When work gets stressful or overwhelming, an athlete stopping by to say “hi” really helps remind us why we work in a university environment.

What are you most proud of? 

Being a hockey broadcaster at the age of 22 (and getting paid for it), and contributing to a couple of books.

Who is the most influential person in your life?

My grandfather (legendary Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Johnny Bower). He taught me to never give up on my dreams no matter how long it takes to achieve them.

The person who inspires me the most is uOttawa alumnus Adrian Bradbury. This past year, he showed me that one person can change the world. He began the GuluWalk to raise awareness of the plight of children in Uganda. He walked 12.5 km each night for a month to sleep in a park in Toronto!  His efforts inspired thousands of people from more than 40 cities around the world to walk in solidarity for the children of Uganda in the first World GuluWalk Day, on October 22, 2005.

What would you change in the world today if you could?

The cynical nature of our society. We all too often forget that we’re all people and that the human cost of doing business needs to be taken into account.

What would your co-workers be most surprised to know about you?

I used to do theatre.

What is your favourite pastime?

Not sure, but sitting under a tree by a lake reading a book is a pretty good way to pass the time away.

You’ve just won a $1 million. What do you do?

Put it in the bank for a year and then spend the interest on friends and family, and causes that I believe in.

What is the quality you value the most?

I am most impressed with people who can find balance in all facets of their lives.

Which five people (living or dead) would you like to invite to a dinner party? Tell us why.

Pierre Trudeau because the only time I met him, I said, “Oh my God, you’re Pierre Trudeau,” not exactly the most pithy statement I could have made. René Lévesque because he believed in a cause, but when his people told him, “no, not this time,” he had the courage to continue to represent their wishes and attempted to negotiate a constitution on their behalf. Martin Luther King, Jr. for his courage to be willing to stand up for an oppressed people even in the face of danger. Beyond that, I’m not sure who else I’d invite. Probably some friends who I know would enjoy the conversation of the other special guests.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I don’t know. Right now, I’m very happy to be in Ottawa and at the University, so I don’t know what I want to be doing in five years time.  I think I’ll have to just wait and see.

What is your greatest hope for the future?

That we will be able to share the resources of the world for the betterment of everyone and not just a select few.

What is the best kept secret in your faculty, department or service?

The amount of exposure that our student-athletes provide the University of Ottawa across the country.