For Zags John Barnard (’00) and his wife, Shannon Gilronan-Barnard (’00), the birth of their son Timothy defied everything they imagined. So when it came time for their daughter Callan to be born, the Barnards knew to expect the unexpected; however, they never predicted an experience that could only be described as “uniquely Zag.”
“When Timothy was born, it was a very intense, scary and fast few minutes,” John recalls. “My mind was spinning. I was scared. I felt helpless and exhausted. All I could do was hold my wife’s hand and pray.” John’s prayers were ultimately answered as their son was born happy and healthy.
Nearly three years later, the Barnards were expecting again. This time, their daughter was expected to arrive via planned C-section, which was supposed to be a walk in the park compared to the emergency C-section during Timothy’s birth.
“We would be running the show this time,” said John. “I can’t speak for Shannon, but I was good to go. Confident. Fearless.” Sitting at the hospital on the day the birth was scheduled, John was just about to pat himself on the back for the way he was handling the situation when it struck him: he actually had very little control.
A flood of nurses came and went, handling paperwork, introducing staff and explaining procedures, all of which fueled John’s anxieties. He was barely paying attention as a nurse introduced someone to the Barnards. He perked up once he heard the word, “Gonzaga.”
“I immediately asked her to repeat the introduction,” said John. The young woman standing before them was a Gonzaga University nursing student named Jessica Schray (’16). She smiled, extended her hand and explained that she would be working with the Barnards as part of her studies and that theirs would be her first experience with delivery.
“She looked so eager to be there,” John remembered. “Knowing she was a student from our alma mater, I soon found myself much more calm and confident again.”
Jessica chatted with the Barnards while doctors and nurses buzzed around the room. She kept them occupied by talking about their shared love for GU and about her studies to become a nurse. She paid close attention to everything going on in the room, but also provided a calming connection on which John and Shannon could focus.
During the procedure, John and Shannon talked about the baby girl they were about to meet. All seemed to be well, until the doctor announced that there was a slight complication.
“I know what she said was something like, ‘There is nothing to worry about, everything is fine,’” John said, “but what I heard was, ‘Start praying because the end of the world is here!’”
Just then, Jessica came back to check on the Barnards. She was only there for a moment before rejoining the doctors and nurses, but her presence was instantly calming to John and Shannon. A short time later, Callan Gilronan Barnard was born.
“Jessica was right there to congratulate us,” said John. She was also the person who took the very first photo of John, Shannon and Callan together.
“Our first experience with childbirth was filled with chaos and fear. The second was filled with confidence and strength,” John declared. “Jessica played a huge role in the birth of our daughter. I have always been proud to call myself a Zag, but my pride has now reached new heights. ‘Zags Unite!’ has a whole new meaning to me now.”
The lifelong connections that Gonzaga forges with students, alumni, friends, faculty and staff are an enormous part of what makes being a Zag so unique. Making a gift to GU in honor of those who have inspired you is a meaningful way to celebrate these connections.