Alumni Newsletter - WGU Alumni Community - Western Governors ...

graduate spotlightsPhyllis Gail Boonhumble, texasFor 20 years, Phyllis Gail Boone has carried a dream—a dream, she says, that has become a reality throughWestern Governors University. She recently became ateacher, earning her Bachelor of Arts in InterdisciplinaryStudies in Education (EC-8) degree in April 2011.She is also the first and only one of her siblings to graduatewith a bachelor’s degree. Back in 1981 after highschool, Phyllis earnedan associate’s degreein physical therapy,and worked with aspecial educationpopulation for 12 yearsas a physical therapistassistant. “I adaptedgross motor activitiesto accommodate childrenwith disabilitiesduring motor labs andphysical educationclasses,” Phyllis explains,“and instructedDavid Dartchatham, new jerseyDavid Dart was born in London, England, and attendeda poor inner-city school until the age of 16 when hebegan a full-time job to support his family. He wasaccepted as a telecommunications apprentice withBritish Telecom. Following his work in the telecommunicationsindustry, David rose through the technologyranks of international banking. He specializes in businessand technology strategies for worldwide bankingand trading, and re-engineering through technologyand cost containment. In the past 15 years, he was CIOof several multi-national banks in the United States.Married with two grown children, David says he wasdriven by personal desire and also wanted to show hiskids even their dad could get through college. He researchedfor an online college that was fully accreditedand dovetailed with his career, and his employer’s HRdepartment recommended Western Governors University.“Being highly competitive,” David says, “I lovedthe WGU model of being able to get through as muchof the program as I could,” and the logistics worked.He earned a degree in business and IT managementin 11 months, graduating in April 2007. Three yearslater, he completed WGU’s MBA-Information Technologyprogram in ten and a half months, graduating inApril 2011. Study, testing, and essays consumed histeachers on the uses and positioning of students inadaptive equipment for classroom instruction.” Whileshe found her work rewarding, she also volunteered inpublic schools with children of all ages. “I enjoy sewing,decorating, making props for plays, and costumes,” shesays. “It was while working in the public school systemI became interested in becoming a teacher.” Travelingwith her husband while he was on active duty in themilitary for 21 years kept Phyllis busy, and she and herhusband had two children of their own. Phyllis saysshe learned a valuable lesson from attending WGU, andit was “not to give up on my dream.” She continues, “Iwas able to log-in to the WGU website at odd hours ofthe morning and work on my papers before I went towork. As I continued to progress through this program,I realized this was really working for me.” Phyllis saysshe has become more computer-savvy and confident inresearching online for her patients. Teaching, she says,will allow her “to continue to use the experiences of mycurrent profession in the classroom.” •spare time, but never feltlike a chore, he says. Hismentors provided guidancewhen the going gottough. David believes hehas become more confidentand well-rounded,enjoying the arts now aswell as business. “Theactual program content,”David says, “I found tobe very relevant, as I wasable to translate whatwas being taught in the various courses to the realworld.” Completing his MBA at age 49, he jokes, is livingproof you can teach an old dog new tricks. He mayembark on a second career outside of high finance. •“The actual program content I found to be veryrelevant, as I was able to translate what was beingtaught in the various courses tothe real world.”-WGU Alum, David Dart2 | WGU Alumni Newsletter - summer 2011