example4.tex

\documentclass[twoside]{article}
\usepackage{lipsum}
\usepackage{boxedminipage}
\usepackage{fancyhdr}
\pagestyle{fancy}
\fancyhead{} % clear all header fields
\fancyhead[RO,LE]{\textbf{The performance of new graduates}}
\fancyfoot{} % clear all footer fields
\fancyfoot[LE,RO]{\thepage}
\fancyfoot[LO,CE]{From: K. Grant}
\fancyfoot[CO,RE]{To: Dean A. Smith}
\renewcommand{\headrulewidth}{0.4pt}
\renewcommand{\footrulewidth}{0.4pt}

\fancypagestyle{plain}{
  \fancyhf{} % clear all header and footer fields
  \fancyfoot[C]{\textbf{--~\thepage~--}} % except the center
  \renewcommand{\headrulewidth}{0pt}
  \renewcommand{\footrulewidth}{0pt}
}

\begin{document}
\section*{Redefine \texttt{plain} -- bold page number}
\label{sec:twosided}
\thispagestyle{plain}

\begin{boxedminipage}{\textwidth}
This is example 4 in the fancyhdr documentation. It has simple headers and footers like example 3:
On odd pages the header has {``\textbf{The performance of new graduates}''} in the right-hand side corner and the footer has ``From: K. Grant'' on the left, ``To: Dean A. Smith'' in the center, and the page number on the right. Just like example 1. On even pages it is mirrored:  the header has {``\textbf{The performance of new graduates}''} in the left-hand side corner and the footer has ``From: K. Grant'' on the right, ``To: Dean A. Smith'' in the center, and the page number on the left.

However, the first page has a redefined \texttt{plain} page style: It only has the page number in the center of the footer, in bold and surrounded by en-dashes. No header, no decorative rules.
\end{boxedminipage}

\bigskip

\lipsum
\end{document}