Guest Information

Because the Lied Center has a limited capacity of just under 2,000 seats, tickets are required for guests. Seating will be open on a first-come basis. Please plan to arrive early if you have a large number of guests who need to be seated together.

Graduates will be asked to provide an estimate of guest numbers when registering to participate in the ceremony. 

Each registered graduate will receive a base allocation of four guest tickets. Hooding participants and faculty hooders do not need tickets. If extra guest tickets become available after registration closes, we will send additional information about a first come, first served online request process.

Tickets must be picked up in person. Information on ticket pick up will be shared with graduates closer to the event date. If you cannot pick up your tickets in person, you must arrange to have someone (e.g., a friend or colleague) pick them up for you. Tickets will not be mailed.

Guests should arrive at the Lied Center between 6 p.m. and 6:30 pm to allow for ample time to locate parking and take advantage of photo opportunities with their graduate in front of the Lied Center. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for guests.

We recommend that guests in need of accommodation or limited-mobility seating arrive early to be able to select the area that best suits them. Staff will be on hand to direct guests to the appropriate seating areas.

Event Livestream

A captioned, live video stream of the doctoral hooding ceremony will be available so that anyone who is interested, worldwide, can watch the event. Due to limited seating within the Lied Center, we encourage guests to use this viewing option.

Click here to be taken to the Lied Center's Livestream.