Graduation spotlight series: Mile by mile, running for success

Body

When Simeon Omorodion crossed the finish line of the 130th Boston Marathon this April for the first time, he wasn't just completing a race. He was confirming something he'd been building toward for years-that running wasn't a hobby or a side pursuit, but a core part of who he is.

At George Mason University, that identity never existed in isolation. An Honors College student and long-distance runner, Omorodion found the same logic threading through both pursuits: structure, persistence, and a tolerance for discomfort that eventually becomes growth.

Simeon Omorodion runs the 130th Boston Marathon. Photo provided.

This May, he earned his degree in information technology, specializing in cybersecurity with a minor in Japanese studies.

This pairing surprises people. But for Omorodion, it makes perfect sense. His interest in cybersecurity comes down to problem-solving under pressure-the same discipline that gets a runner through mile 20.

His passion for Japanese studies dates back to childhood, when anime introduced him to stories of perseverance and the impossible becoming possible. He joined the Japanese Student Association his freshman year and studied in Japan in the summer of 2024. "Why don't I just learn this beautiful language?" he said, "this language that has allowed me to see visions of impossibles becoming possible.

Omorodion (right) with classmates at the conclusion of a Japanese language presentation during his summer 2024 study-abroad program in Japan. Photo provided.

The two halves of his life at George Mason reinforce each other in ways he didn't anticipate. "It's like a symbiotic relationship," he said. "Without the athletics, it's hard for me to engage within the academics. With the academics, it helps me to engage in athletics."

Those connections extended beyond the classroom and the track. Through the Patriot Run Club and his role in Housing and Residence Life as a resident assistant, he found the sense of belonging that made everything else easier. "It made me feel connected," he said, "connected to this environment, to the George Mason culture."

Omorodion celebrates at the finish line of the 130th Boston Marathon, medal in hand. Photo provided.

To students still on the fence about getting involved and pursing what they are passionate about, his advice is direct: do it, and don't expect to regret it.

After graduation, Omorodion plans to continue merging the passions he discovered during his time at George Mason. He will work for the global sportswear company ASICS in Boston as a marketplace operations coordinator, a role that would keep him rooted in the running world while building a career.

He arrived at George Mason without a clear plan. Through running and his academics, Omorodion leaves with a deeper understanding of himself and what drives him-and a conviction that not having it figured out from the start was never the problem.

"You are going to transform a lot during college," he said, "and that could be a very positive transformation."

Note: This article was written by Tiffany Boggs, Student Media, and edited by Chelsea Xu, UL Marketing and Communications. It was originally publishedon George Mason University's University Life website.

Explore Cybersecurity at George Mason

Learn more about Honors College

Related Stories

Topics