By Rebecca Wagner
During her time in the recruitment office at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Paige Fischer once drove more than three hours to Prague, Oklahoma, to help a student enroll just because the student could not get to campus.
Fischer met with the student in a diner and finished the registration processes. Fischer’s friends say that is just one example of her willingness to go out of her way to help.
Going the extra mile is a trait Fischer kept after she left the recruitment office and joined the business office.
Fischer now takes care of the students at Northwestern by processing student refunds and making sure that the billing and fees are set in place and accurate. She said she tries to help students pay their bills without stressing out by getting a plan in place, allowing them to stay on track for graduation.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Fischer has made an impact on more than just students during her time at Northwestern.
Olivia Yandel, her friend and former co-worker, describes Fischer as her complete opposite.
“We spent so much time together,” Yandel said. “We are complete opposites, personality wise. She [is] kind of reserved and just, like, very on top of everything, and I’m like loud and not on top of anything, ever.”
Yandel worked with Fischer in the recruitment office.
Yandel said her favorite moments while working with Fischer were when they worked in the mailing room.
She, Fischer and Dustin Goodno, another former co-worker, had to fit into the small room, and if one person left, the system would break.
Yandel said Fischer was an excellent boss because she would make sure her workers know they are appreciated. Fischer made the most out of the little things, she said.
Yandel said she took many of the ways Fischer managed the recruitment office into her own leadership style at the J.R. Holder Wellness Center.
“She just inspires everybody to just be really just on top of their game and do their absolute best work,”
Yandel said. “When you have somebody like that, it makes everybody in the whole group be better as a whole. I think that’s why the recruitment office was so successful when she was in there because everyone knew that was the standard.”
The energy and passion Fischer emits for her job and Northwestern is what draws Goodno and others closer to her.
When he left the recruitment office in 2015, Goodno found himself drawn back to help with events because of Fischer’s passion. Fischer never had to ask him to come and help, he said. He just wanted to join her.
Fischer goes beyond for her co-workers as well.
When Goodno left the recruitment office because he received a new job opportunity, Fischer made the transition easier for him.
“We all went out to dinner,” Goodno said. “We went to [Café] Bahnhof in Waynoka during my last week. The coolest thing that she did, and I’ve got this in my office, is [give me] a framed, matted Ranger picture.
I had no idea she was going to do it.”
Fischer took the Ranger picture around to many people in Goodno’s campus life to sign the picture before she gave it to him.
“It’s probably my favorite possession,” Goodno said.
When they have free time, Goodno, Yandel and Fischer get together for a meal and catch up.
“I can’t get rid of them, and they can’t get rid of me,” Goodno said.
FAMILY LIFE
Fischer’s character is rooted in her family values, which played a role in her college selection.
“I knew that I wanted to come to school at Northwestern,” Fischer said. “I wanted to come to a place where it had that family feel and the professors knew you by name.”
Part of the reason Fischer decided to attend Northwestern is because it is closer to her hometown, Jet, which allows her to be closer to her family, especially her younger brother, Drew.
“I did know all the way through high school that I wanted to be close to my family,” she said. “That was really important to me.”
Fischer said she is inspired by her father, Bryan. He goes out of his way for anyone, and it doesn’t matter if he has a million things to do, she said.
“My dad is a farmer, and I always saw him waking up early and working so hard every single day,” Paige Fischer said. “That’s kind of inspired me to always want to aim for success and have that top-notch work ethic. That’s really important to me.”
When she wakes up, Fischer looks for ways to help make an impact for others, a trait she obtained from her father, she said.
WOMAN OF
MANY TALENTS
Fischer has a passion for music. She plays the piano, and she started taking lessons when she was 5 years old. Her love for music shows when she goes to concerts with her younger brother.
Going to Lubbock, Texas, to watch William Clark Green, American Aquarium, Flat Land Calvary and Red Shay Hand was a concert that Drew Fischer said was fun to experience with his sister.
Being Paige Fischer’s brother and growing up together is something Drew Fischer said he would do again.
Paige Fischer was a member of the 2008 President’s Leadership Class at Northwestern. That’s where she met Madison Williams, who became another friend.
During her time in school, Fischer had the best personality and always had a smile on her face, Williams said.
“Any characteristic you want in a friend, she has it,” Williams said.
Williams said Fischer is successful and does everything with grace. Williams said she thinks Fischer is above the bar. Yet in Fischer’s eyes, there is not anyone below her.
During her freshman year at Northwestern, Fischer and her friends went to the Nightlight. While there one night, Williams and another friend lost their purses, phones and keys. Fischer gave each of her friends $20 and directions to where they could call someone. She said if they needed anything, they can call her, Williams said.
“She was going to take care of us to the end,” Williams said.