GCU Today Magazine - November 2017

GCU MAGAZ I NE • 29 CLASS NOTES Send your class notes and a high-resolution photo to www.gcu.edu/classnotes. What’s newwith you? 2000s JeffBaird,M.A. in Teaching, ’02, is an English teacher at BrightonHighSchool inCottonwood Heights, Utah. Bairdhas taught for more than20years andhaswritten multiple pieces for professional journals onEnglishand education. RobCarnahan,M.S. inNursingwithan Emphasis in Leadership inHealth CareSystems, ’08, is the newChief ExecutiveOfficer at Banner Churchill Community Hospital in Fallon, Nev. Carnahan previously servedas theChief NursingOfficer for four years. 2010s Jeff Ogne, B.A. in Christian Studies, ’10, andM.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, ’12, was named Dean of Students of Oaks Christian Online School and the Online Christian Consortium, based in Westlake Village, Calif. Ogne previously was an admissions manager at GCU. Phyllis Abbott, M.S. in Leadership with an Emphasis in Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Management, ’10, and M.A. in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Urban Ministry, ’16, founded Lady Veterans Connect in Lexington, Ky., a nonprofit organization that provides a transitional housing and rehabilitation program to veterans and women exiting the military. Participants in the program receive counseling, health care, financial-planning classes, life skills and self-esteem classes, and job preparation, with a focus on restoring relationships with their families. Danny Skelly, B.S. in Marketing, ’11, recently appeared on TLC’s reality TV series “The Spouse House.” Skelly is a personal trainer in Chicago. Robert Collar, M.Ed. in Education Administration, ’11, was appointed principal of Scott’s Branch Middle/High School in Summerton, S.C. Collar has had a long career working with at-risk youth and special education students and in education administration. Tari Sexton,M.A. in Teachingwith an Emphasis inTeacher Leadership, ’11, has co-authored a series of six early childhood education resource books, “STEAMDesign Challenges.” The books are intended to offer a year’sworth of lessons that promote an interactive learning environment in the classroom. Todd Johnson, M. Ed. in Educational Administration, ’12, is the new principal of Cowles Montessori School in DesMoines, Iowa. Johnson previously served as a reading coach, school improvement leader and dean of students in the DesMoines Public School District. Heather James, B.S. in Psychology, ’12, andM.S. in Professional Counseling, ’16, is a licensed professional counselor and independent therapist for the office of River Park Psychology Consultants in Wichita, Kan. James credits her career as a counseling practice owner to her GCU education. Rob Koonce, Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership, ’12, served as lead editor and co- author of a new book, “Developing Leaders for Positive Organizing: A 21st Century Repertoire for Leading in Extraordinary Times.” Koonce is an affiliate faculty member at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., where he serves as the doctoral Course Director of Followership.