East Central University (ECU) is proud to announce that Chief Justice Dustin P. Rowe, of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, will be honored as a Distinguished Alumni at the university’s Evening of Honors and Recognition on Friday, May 16, at 6 p.m. The event will be held in the ECU Foundation Hall, located inside the Chickasaw Business & Conference Center.
A lifelong resident of Tishomingo, Oklahoma, and a graduate of Tishomingo High School, Chief Justice Rowe’s dedication to public service began early. At just 18 years old, while still a senior in high school, he was elected to the Tishomingo City Council and went on to serve two terms as the youngest mayor in the state of Oklahoma.
Rowe earned his Bachelor of Arts with honors from East Central University before obtaining his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. While at OU, he was recognized with the Professional Responsibility Award by his graduating class and the Joseph Rarick Award by the faculty. He was also named a Lee B. Thompson Scholar.
Rowe practiced law in Tishomingo from 2001 to 2019, including 18 years as Tishomingo City Attorney. He served as Special Judge (2005–2011) and later District Judge (2011–2019) for the Chickasaw Nation District Court. On November 20, 2019, he was appointed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court by Governor J. Kevin Stitt, officially taking office on December 20, 2019.
Retained by voters in 2022, Rowe served as Vice-Chief Justice in 2023–2024 and was elected by his peers to serve as Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2025.
Chief Justice Rowe serves as adjunct faculty for the Oklahoma City University School of Law, he has served as faculty for the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada, where he is an alumnus, and he serves on the Board of Visitors for the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Chief Justice Rowe is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. He and his wife are the proud parents of two children.
East Central University is honored to recognize Chief Justice Dustin P. Rowe for his lifelong dedication to justice, public service, and leadership in Oklahoma and beyond.
Tickets are available for purchase online at ecok.edu/2025EOH. For more information or to reserve tickets, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@ecok.edu or call 580-559-5651.