Meet our Candlelight Ceremony Speakers!

During Commencement Week, our Candlelight Ceremony MC and Speaker will share their unique Ohio State experiences with fellow graduates, Buckeyes, alumni and friends. Attend the Candlelight Ceremony on December 12 at 6 p.m. at the Faculty Club.

Name: Simone Bacon
Major: Public Health & Sociology
Hometown: Chicago, IL

What is your favorite Ohio State memory?
Going on a Buck-I-SERV trip to Ghana. It was the first time I had gone out of the country without my parents, so it was a huge learning experience for me. It was a lot of fun and actually encouraged me to change my major to Public Health.

What are your plans after graduation?
I won the President’s Prize for my project “Uncaged”, so I will be working here in Columbus next year. I will be focusing on improving infant education and family engagement in low-income families. After, I plan to go to graduate school to get a Master’s in Healthcare Administration. I want to work as a Community Health Director seeking to eliminate racial and socioeconomic health disparities.

If you could give new students one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to take risks. The biggest growth comes from taking leaps of faith. Always follow your passions, because your career and your purpose come from that.

Name: Juli Peacock
Major: Biology
Hometown: Tiffin, OH

What is your favorite Ohio State memory?
I am a peer mentor for the College of Arts and Sciences and it’s always been a favorite for me. I love working with freshmen and helping them learn “how to be students” during a difficult transition phase because I had many mentors who were incredibly helpful to me.

What are your plans after graduation?
I accepted a full-time job working as an ophthalmic technician after school, and I’d like to go to PA school in about a year. My ultimate goal is to become a surgical physician’s assistant. I have always been interested in medicine, but being a doctor didn’t seem like a good fit for me. This gives me a look inside medicine and allows me to be empathetic and serve the community in a different way through healthcare.

If you could give new students one piece of advice, what would it be?
If you need help, reach out. I had a hard time asking for help as a freshman, even when I really needed it. Getting over that uncomfortable feeling and reaching out sooner makes a huge difference in your experience.