At the Eastern Michigan University commencement ceremonies Sunday, Kathleen Simcox was brought to tears as her older brother Ben, 24, made his way to her amidst a standing ovation from graduates and a big round of applause as the two hugged.

It was Ben Simcox's idea to come home before his deployment to Afghanistan, and he chose his sister's graduation as the ideal time.

"I was planning something a lot more low-keyed," he laughed. "This was overwhelming."

Close to 2,500 students did themselves and their families proud Sunday by graduating and receiving advanced degrees from Eastern Michigan. The EMU Convocation Center was abuzz with two separate graduation ceremonies &emdash the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Technology in the morning, and the College of Business, College of Education and College of Health and Human Services in the afternoon.

University President Susan Martin acknowledged a handful of the graduates for embodying the EMU spirit. Among them was Kathleen Simcox, an accounting major who worked in dining services to help put herself through school. Martin also talked about her older brother, who attended EMU from 2005-2007, then joined the U.S. Army, served two tours of duty in Iraq and is currently stationed in Germany.

"In a few weeks, Ben will be deployed to Afghanistan. It's our pleasure to welcome him home," Martin said.

Also surprised by Ben's appearance were his parents, Laura and Doug Simcox, and his grandparents, Alberta and Jack Simcox, who had come to watch Kathleen graduate.

"When they were talking about Ben, I thought there was no way he could be here," Kathleen Simcox said. "Then when I saw him I started crying. He's my biggest role model. He taught me to do the right thing and to help others."

The Simcox family is originally from Hastings, Mich. and now resides outside Louisville, Ky.

"We are proud of both our kids, and this is a complete joy," said Doug Simcox. "It's wonderful for us to be together."

Laura Simcox agreed. "We didn't expect to see Ben before he deployed. This is special because Kathleen has always looked up to Ben, and they are pretty close."

Cartoonist Dave Coverly, creator of "Speed Bump," was the morning graduation speaker, and Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley spoke in the afternoon.

Calley called the graduates "a diverse group" and told them, "Your education is your freedom to pursue your goals and dreams. Find what you love and put your whole self into it. Your state needs you like never before."

Graduates like Nicole Johnson, a special education major, said she was grateful to all the people who helped her reach this day. Amy Reitenga, who earned a degree in human resources management, called the day "amazing" and said her next step is to go for a master's degree in training and development.

Graduate Joshua Lopez knows what he's doing next. "I start work in Chicago Tuesday in the field of supply chain management, and I feel very accomplished," he said.

Ben Simcox has to return to military service Monday and will head to eastern Afghanistan in mid-May. Kathleen Simcox says that she's looking forward to some time off, and in September will start an equine business certificate program at the University of Louisville.