Soaring as a Nontraditional Student

Bryan Fletcher gives new meaning to the term 'nontraditional’ student. Graduating this week from the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, Bryan was diagnosed with leukemia at age four, underwent chemotherapy for more than three years, and survived a stroke in the process before going into remission at age eight. He entered kindergarten with a bald head, but he made light of it by painting his head green and wearing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles outfit. This incredible enthusiasm has continued through Bryan’s life and led him to phenomenal accomplishments. 

Bryan decided to take up skiing during his chemotherapy. He got a taste of the Olympic games at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City as a fore-jumper, and went on to earn a place on 6 world championship teams, earning a bronze medal at the 2013 World Championships. Just two years ago, Bryan won the U.S. Olympic Nordic Combined Trials, securing his place on Team USA in the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Bryan has helped many non-profit organizations raise money for the fight against cancer and even co-founded his own non-profit, ccThrive, which encourages children to thrive after childhood cancer and reach their full potential. The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is proud to have this incredible fighter as part of the Aggie family, graduating in Health Education and Promotion with the goal of becoming a Physician Assistant.