Murray State College has announced that Supreme Court Chief Justice Dustin Rowe will be this year’s 102nd commencement speaker.

Rowe is a Tishomingo native who started his career in public service at age 18. While still a high school senior, he was elected Mayor of Tishomingo and served two terms as the youngest mayor in the state.

Rowe practiced law in Tishomingo from 2001 to 2019, for 18 years. He served as a special judge of the Chickasaw Nation District Court from 2005 to 2011, and as their District Judge from 2011 to 2019. Rowe was appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Kevin Stitt in 2019 and served as Vice-Chief Justice from 2023 to 2024. He was elected Chief Justice in January 2025.

“We are so honored to have Chief Justice Rowe give this year’s commencement address,” said Dr. Tim Faltyn, Murray State College President. “This is a remarkable opportunity for our graduates to hear from a leader whose life’s work reflects integrity, service and a steadfast commitment to justice. As our students prepare to step into their futures, I can’t think of a better example of principled leadership and civic responsibility to inspire them on this important day.”

Rowe earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from East Central University and was named a distinguished alumnus in 2025. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he was awarded the Joseph Rarick Award and recognized as a Lee B. Thompson scholar. Rowe is an alumnus of the National Judicial College in Reno, NV, where he serves on the faculty. He also is an adjunct faculty member at Oklahoma City University School of Law and serves on the Board of Visitors for the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

Rowe is a member of the Chickasaw Nation. He and his wife are proud parents of two children and a grandchild.

Murray State College’s 102nd Commencement will take place at 7 p.m. on May 8, 2026, at the Aaittafama' Ishto' in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.