Sophomore Conner Fecht carries a family legacy forward at EOU

Sophomore Conner Fecht carries a family legacy forward at EOU

Sophomore pre-nursing major Conner Fecht is the newest student voice on Eastern Oregon University’s (EOU) Board of Trustees. From his seat at the table, he brings his own perspective as a rural student preparing for a career in health care, along with the story of a family deeply rooted in EOU’s traditions of service and community.

Conner’s parents, Russell ’99 and Jennifer ’99 Fecht, both studied education at EOU. His older brother, Tim, graduated in 2024 after serving in the student government. Now, the Lovelock, Nevada native, is writing the next chapter of that Mountaineer story.

“I like the small community,” Conner said. “You really get to know people here.”

Conner is aiming for the OHSU-La Grande Bachelor of Science in Nursing program based on EOU’s campus. He plans to apply this winter.

“I find joy in caring for people,” he said. “It’s rewarding.”

A family of Mountaineers

For his parents, watching their youngest son step into leadership at their alma mater is powerful.

“As EOU graduates and longtime supporters of the university, watching Conner continue the Mountaineer legacy is both humbling and deeply meaningful,” Russell Fecht said. “His service on the Board of Trustees is something we never could have imagined when we first set foot on campus years ago.”

Conner’s mom, Jennifer Fecht, remembers arriving at Eastern from Long Creek, Oregon, where her high school graduating class had just seven students.

“Transitioning to Eastern Oregon University was a smooth experience,” she said. “The professors recognized me by name, and I could easily reach out to any of them for help when needed. EOU was more than just a college. It was a community that made me feel at home and prepared me for success.”

That sense of connection has lasted. When the Fechts return to campus to support their sons, they still run into professors who remember them.

“That says everything about the kind of institution EOU was and continues to be,” Russell said.

When it came time for Tim and Connor to choose a college, Jennifer tried not to steer them.

“I made a conscious effort not to pressure them into attending EOU and let them make their own decisions,” she said. “Of course, I was delighted when they both chose EOU because I knew they could thrive and participate in as many activities as they wanted. Watching Conner feel confident to join clubs, participate in student government, and become an RA makes me proud that he is living his college life to the fullest.”

A student voice at the table

On campus, Conner’s involvement runs deep. He serves as a student representative on EOU’s Board of Trustees, a significant commitment for a second-year student, and as a justice with the ASEOU student government. He applied for the trustee position as soon as he heard about the opportunity.

“I was interested in the inner workings of the university,” he said. “I didn’t think I’d get it, but I wanted to help, offer a student perspective.”

That perspective felt urgent at his first board meeting.

“It’s very complicated, every component of it,” he said, reflecting on the challenges facing higher education. “It’s sad to see the numbers going down,” he said of national enrollment trends. “I just want to help.”

His parents see this as a natural extension of what he has seen at home.

“Conner’s service on the Board of Trustees has shown me that he is interested in staying informed about educational issues,” Jennifer said. “Having grown up observing his parents and brother, who are educators, he is very aware of various education issues. He pays close attention to details and considers both sides before making decisions. These traits will certainly benefit his career in rural health and emphasize the importance of community service.”

Shaped by rural roots

Conner grew up in Lovelock, Nevada, a town of about 1,600 people, roughly 75 minutes from Reno. On his mom’s side, his family is from near Long Creek, Oregon, and their ranch is just over an hour from La Grande, another tie that makes EOU feel like home.

“There’s a big shortage of health care in rural areas,” Conner said. “But it’s also the community. Everyone looks after each other. I want to be a primary care provider in rural areas, go where I’m needed.”

His parents say that the desire to “go where he’s needed” has been there all along.

“We’ve always seen in Conner a strong sense of purpose and empathy,” Russell said. “The fact that he wants to return to rural communities, places that often struggle to attract and retain health care professionals, speaks volumes about who he is.”

Growing up in a small town, Jennifer said, taught him that giving back is essential.

“He learned that when everyone works together toward a common goal, the result is often positive,” she said. “With this mindset, Conner recognized that volunteering would be an important part of his life. He has dedicated his time to the local recycling center, participated in his church’s events, and assisted the local Lions Club whenever needed. With his kind heart and willingness to help, Conner would fit in perfectly within a rural community. A community would benefit just as much from him as he would from the connections he would form there.”

Russell sees Conner’s career path as more than a job.

“What stands out most is that this isn’t just a career choice for him; it’s a calling,” he said. “He wants to be the kind of person who shows up where he can make the most difference.”

Quiet, steady leadership

Day to day, EOU’s small-school advantages are already shaping Conner’s education.

“The class sizes make a difference,” he said. “I really get to know my professors.”

Even the largest courses feel manageable. Anatomy started with more than 100 students and “dwindled down,” while most of his classes now hover around 20. The relationships, he said, help him learn and keep him moving toward his goals.

His parents see the same quiet leadership they watched grow during his high school years.

One defining moment came when Conner was recognized as a Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) Top Ten Student Athlete for the entire state of Nevada.

“That award wasn’t just about grades or athletic ability; it reflected his leadership, character and sportsmanship across three different sports,” Russell said. “Conner has always led by example. He worked hard, treated others with respect and inspired his teammates simply by the way he carried himself.”

They still remember a comment from a parent who is also a teacher in their school district. That parent told them that Conner exemplified what he wished every Mustang would strive to become, and that his own son looked up to Connor.

“Hearing that as parents was incredibly meaningful,” Russell said. “It showed us that Conner’s influence went far beyond his own achievements; he was making the people around him better.”

Jennifer points to another story that captures who her son is.

“Conner is the kindest person I know,” she said. “He has always been incredibly aware of others and their feelings.”

During his early high school years, a classmate invited the entire class to a party. When Conner realized very few people planned to attend, he quietly gathered his closest friends. He convinced them to go, bought a gift card, candy, and a card for everyone to sign, and showed up.

“We didn’t find out about it until afterward, when we learned that they were the only ones who attended,” Jennifer said. “This story perfectly captures who Conner is. He consistently includes those around him, goes out of his way to make others feel welcome, and befriends everyone.”

“That quiet, steady leadership,” Russell added, “is the same quality we see now at EOU, whether he’s serving fellow students as an RA, pursuing nursing, or representing the entire student body on the Board of Trustees. It reflects who he genuinely is at his core.”

Looking ahead: ‘Get yourself out there.’

Conner is realistic about the competitiveness of nursing. If he’s accepted to the OHSU-La Grande program next fall, he’ll transition to OHSU enrollment while taking classes on EOU’s campus and finish a three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). After that, he hopes to earn a master’s degree and become a family nurse practitioner serving rural communities.

Would he recommend EOU to other students, whether they’re into nursing, English or theater?

“Yeah,” he said confidently, noting he’s already recruiting friends from home. “It’s a good fit for people who don’t want a huge campus.”

His advice to classmates is equally direct:

“Get yourself out there. Be involved as much as you can while you’re here.”

For the Fecht family, that mindset feels like the perfect expression of what it means to be a Mountaineer: show up, serve others, and make the most of every opportunity.

“It’s the kind of leadership that runs in the family,” Russell said.

For Conner Fecht, carrying on a legacy isn’t about following a script. It’s about going where he’s needed and making sure the communities that shaped his family continue to have the opportunities and the care they deserve.