Commencement Tickets & Reservations

Yes, tickets are required for ALL guests, but graduating seniors do NOT need a ticket. Tickets are electronic and include a specific seat assignment (section, row, and seat number). Electronic tickets will be emailed the week before Commencement. Students must forward tickets to guests, who can either print them or display them on their phones for entry (scanned once to prevent duplication). Children aged two and younger who will be seated on an adult’s lap do not need a ticket; otherwise, they will need a reserved ticket.

Graduands from the Class of 2026 can request tickets during the Commencement registration period (TBA) using the "Get Tickets" links on this page or using the following methods:

Hometown Fan App:

• Download the HomeTown Fan App (available for both Android and iOS). 
• Search for Catawba College or zip. 
• Select Catawba Commencement and your desired tickets. 
• Add tickets to your cart and proceed to checkout. 
• Enter your contact information. 
• Review and confirm your tickets. 

Hometown Ticketing Website (Instructions)

• Go to the Catawba College Commencement website or search for the event at events.hometownticketing.com. 
• Select Catawba Commencement and your desired tickets. 
• Add tickets to your cart and proceed to checkout. 
• Enter your contact information. 
• Review and confirm your tickets. 

Traditional/In-Person Undergraduate Commencement:

Each graduand in the traditional, in-person undergraduate program may initially reserve up to four (4) guest tickets for the ceremony in Keppel Auditorium. After ticket registration closes on March 20, graduands in this program may also request up to two additional balcony tickets through the unclaimed and returned ticket lottery. The lottery will take place from April 1 at 7 p.m. through April 8 at midnight. ON April 9, lottery winners will be notified and may reserve up to two additional tickets. All tickets must be claimed by April 17 at midnight. 

Online & Graduate Programs Commencement

Each graduand may initially reserve up to eight (8) guest tickets for the ceremony in Keppel Auditorium. After ticket registration closes on March 20, graduands in the Online and Graduate programs may also request up to four additional tickets through the unclaimed and returned ticket lottery. Requests will be reviewed after ticket registration closes (date TBA), and notifications will be sent regarding extra ticket availability. 

Graduands may enter the unclaimed and returned ticket lottery for up to two additional balcony tickets. The lottery will take place from April 1 at 7 p.m. through April 8 at midnight. On April 9, lottery winners will be notified and may reserve up to two tickets. All tickets must be claimed by April 17 at midnight.

Hometown Fan App

• All tickets are stored in the HomeTown Fan App or online at https://events.hometownticketing.com
• Navigate to “My Tickets” or “My Passes” in the app.
• Select Catawba Commencement 10 a.m. or Catawba Commencement 2 p.m.
• Display the digital ticket (QR code) on your phone for scanning at the event.

Email

• You will also receive your tickets as a PDF via email.
• You can access and print the PDF tickets from your email.
• Each ticket is for one seat and may only be scanned one time.

Redeeming Tickets

• Mobile Tickets - Display the digital ticket (QR code) on your phone for scanning at the event.
• Printed Tickets- Print the PDF tickets from your email. Bring the printed tickets to Commencement to be scanned.

Tips

• Ensure the Fan App is downloaded and that the phone number in the app matches the one used to reserve your tickets.
• If you aren’t receiving text, email, or push notifications, check your notification settings in the app.
• Ensure each guest has a separate ticket with an individual seat section, row, and number.
• Each ticket can only be scanned once. If multiple guests have copies of the same QR code, it will only work for the first person scanned.

To transfer HomeTown Ticketing tickets using the Fan App, locate the event and ticket, select "Transfer Ticket," enter the recipient's information, and confirm the transfer. 

Access the Fan App:

• Ensure you have the HomeTown Fan App installed and are logged in. 
• Ensure the app's phone number matches the one used during purchase. 

Locate the Ticket:

• Navigate to the "Tickets" section within the app. 
• Find the specific event and select the ticket you wish to transfer. 

Initiate the Transfer:

• Select the "Transfer Ticket" option, usually found in the lower right corner of the ticket details. 
• Enter the recipient's name, phone number, and email address. 
• Check the verification boxes to acknowledge the terms. 

Confirm the Transfer:

• Click "Transfer Ticket" to finalize the process. 
• The recipient will receive the transferred ticket via text message or the Fan App. 
• You can retrieve the ticket anytime by selecting the "Reclaim Ticket" option. 

You may also email the ticket PDF to transfer the ticket. Make sure each guest has an individual ticket and that your tickets do not repeat. Duplicate tickets will not scan.

To return unused tickets, please email returns@catawba.edu with the PDF of the ticket you are returning attached, or copy and paste the ticket's QR code in the body of your email. You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours.

ADA Guest Seating
ADA guest seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors to the Keppel Auditorium Lobby open two hours before the commencement starts, while the auditorium opens 90 minutes before the ceremony for ADA guests. If ADA seating is needed, guests must reserve ADA seats by following the ADA link when ordering tickets. 

ADA Parking
Parking spaces located in front of the Robertson College-Community Center are designated ADA and VIP parking. An ADA placard or VIP window sign required. Shuttles will be available in all parking lots on campus. View Parking Locations

Guest Drop-Off
A drop-off area is located at the front of the Robertson College Community Center for graduands and their guests. From Innes St., follow the signs and notify traffic personnel that you intend to use the RCCC’s drop-off area. Staff will be on hand to assist. Those using the guest drop-off area must exit the RCCC parking lot once the drop-off is complete. View Parking Locations

Guests who are dropped off will need event tickets to enter the facility.

Guests Parking
Campus parking is free in all lots except  P4, which is reserved for Faculty and Staff Parking. Parking attendants and public safety officers will be stationed throughout the campus to help direct traffic. Please be advised that your route to campus may differ from the route required for your exit. A Commencement parking map of the campus can be found here Download Parking Map

Shuttle service will begin 2 hours before the first ceremony and operate continuously until 1 hour after the final ceremony's end. Commencement shuttle stops are located at each of the campus parking lots.

In severe weather, some Commencement Week activities may be relocated or canceled. Please check the website for updates.