Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center was full of excitement as a sellout crowd of family and friends gathered to clap and cheer Sunday for the graduating members of the university’s class of 2010.

A total of 2,300 graduates make up the 2010 class, and many participated one of two commencement ceremonies held Sunday.

Like many in their caps and gowns, Brad Ray, 34, expressed relief and excitement at being at the end of “a journey.” His wife and kids snapped pictures and hugged and kissed him before the afternoon ceremony. 

Ray said they were the inspiration behind finally completing his 14-year journey through higher education. Ray said after starting several businesses and dropping in and out of school, he decided to finish up and is now looking for a position as a physical education teacher.

“I finally just decided that this is definitely what I want to do with my life,” he said.

Timothy Dyer, a 1965 EMU graduate, educator and member of the EMU Board of Regents, provided the keynote speech to the graduates, who join the 140,000 EMU alumni worldwide. He told them about his own journeys through life, and said they're not at the end of the road, but the start of a whole new journey.

“You are beginning fresh,” he said.

Abbulkadir Abbulle’s journey began when he moved to the United States to attend EMU. On Sunday, he received his bachelor’s degree in clinical lab sciences.

“I am excited I get to graduate, and all my hard work is paying off,” he said. “It feels good. The future looks bright for me, without a doubt, in my field. It’s in the health care business, and anything in health care business looks good.”

John Bonner, who is originally from Dayton, played tight end for the Eagles’ football team and majored in computer information systems. He is now exploring several options, including more school or jumping into the workforce. No matter what he does, he said he's excited to start a new chapter.

“I’m relieved to graduate - I finally did it,” he said.

Sky Jones, 10, of Ann Arbor, was all smiles when asked about his mom, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social work.

“I’m so happy for her,” he said. “I’m excited for this part and her making it this far.”

Latoya Coleman expressed relief that she's wrapping up her undergrad with a degree in social work, although she is heading to grad school in the fall.

“I’m really excited that it’s finally over,” she said. “It’s been a long journey.”

Christian Gerlitz, a marketing major from Ann Arbor, said he's optimistic about the future. He's looking into MBA programs, but he said most require two to five years of work experience, so he’s hoping to land a job at an advertising agency. He’s most excited he won’t be back on campus next fall.

“I’m pretty excited because I don’t have to come back here for awhile,” he laughed.

Tammy Elliot’s husband, Leland Elliot is graduating with an MBA. She said the couple is exploring several options to start fresh. Leland Elliot will be working in finance, so they'll likely be moving from Ann Arbor.

“I don’t want to - I love Michigan, I love Ann Arbor but we have got to eat,” she said. “With God’s will we’ll get lucky and he’ll get a job with a local company.”

Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.