Commencement Schedule, Events, & Information

2025 Schedule of Events

(View Event Descriptions)

Cap and Gown Orders

It is time to order your cap and gown! You may order your cap and gown and class rings online. Orders are due by January 31, 2025.

March 3rd & 4th

• Senior Salute:
  March 3: 10-2 p.m.
  March 4: 2-6 p.m.
  Cannon Student Center
  
  Pick up your cap and gown in the Bookstore! The following offices will in attendance to help answer your questions: Financial Aid, Registrar Office, Career Services, Alumni Office, Alumni Board, and Mail Services. A Jostens representative will be there to help with ordering class rings.

Tuesday, May 6th

• Nurse Pinning
  10 a.m.
  Omwake-Dearborn Chapel
  
  Catawba will hold its Nurse's Pinning Ceremony for our nursing graduates. There will be a reception immediately following in the Center for the Environment lobby.

Thursday, May 8th

• Investiture (Undergraduate Hooding) 
  4 p.m.
  Omwake-Dearborn Chapel
  *Up to 2 guests per graduate.
  
  Wear your cap and gown for your hooding ceremony. 
  
  

• Senior Dinner
  5:30 p.m. (Immediately following Investiture)
  Peeler Crystal Lounge
  *No guests outside the senior class are permitted. This is for 2025 class members only.
  
  Get ready for a night to remember at the Senior Dinner! Celebrate your accomplishments, enjoy a delicious meal with your fellow seniors, and make lasting memories with your classmates before graduation. Those who RSVP before April 10th have a chance to win one of three exciting raffle prizes! Don't miss out on the perfect opportunity to reflect on your journey and toast to your bright future!
  
  RSVPs are required.

Friday, May 9th

• Master's Hooding Ceremony
  5 p.m.
  Tom Smith Auditorium, Ketner Hall
  *Guests permitted.
  
  Graduate program graduates wear their caps and gowns and receive their master’s hood from faculty, followed by a reception with their families in the atrium of Ketner Hall.
  
  
• Baccalaureate Service of Worship
  7:00 p.m.
  Omwake-Dearborn Chapel 
  *Guests permitted.
  
  Assemble at 7 p.m. in front of the Corriher-Linn-Black Library in your full academic regalia (cap, gown, hood, and any honor cords) and business casual attire to process to the Chapel for a worship service honoring our graduates. The Service will begin at 7:30 pm.
   
• Marshal's Walk
  Immediately following Baccalaureate
  
  Following the Baccalaureate Service, members of the graduating class will process by candlelight in the traditional Marshal's Walk from the chapel, along Oliver's Way, to the exterior of the Robertson College-Community Center. There, they gather as the College Marshal and other student representatives share brief remarks, followed by a reception in Peeler Crystal Lounge.

Saturday, May 10th

• Commencement:
  10 a.m. — In-Person Undergraduate Programs
  2 p.m. — Graduate and Online Programs
  Keppel Auditorium, Robertson College-Community Center
  *Up to 4 guests per graduate. Ticket information will be shared in February.
  
  Commencement honors all students who have completed their degree requirements.