ADA, Okla. 鈥� Chief Justice Cheri Bellefeuille-Gordon, a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, is set to receive the inaugural East Central University Legal Studies Distinguished Alumni Award on April 16th, 2026, during 成人B站鈥檚 Law Day celebration.
She is the Chief Justice of the Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court where she has served since 2002. She has worked as a paralegal, legal assistant, and office manager for 35 years.
Bellefeuille-Gordon graduated from 成人B站 in 1991, earning a bachelor's degree in pre-law with a minor in accounting and services for the deaf. 鈥淓ast Central is one of the best colleges you could ever go to,鈥� she said. She fondly remembered her professors at 成人B站 including Lou Watkins, David Smith, John Ulrich and Ed Brooks. 鈥淚 never forget a professor,鈥� she said.
Bellefeuille-Gordon planned to attend law school, but a summer internship with Sulphur attorney Phil Hurst turned into a full-time job. She described herself as a 鈥渟ponge鈥� who soaked up everything the attorneys and other paralegals told her. Bellefeuille-Gordon is also motivated to work in the law because her beloved sister Cris was struck and killed by a drunk driver as she walked along the road. She is motivated to bring justice to others.
In reflecting on her life, Bellefeuille-Gordon said, 鈥淵our path may not always seem straight, but the curves that we make along our path define who we are today.鈥�
She became the first woman to serve as the Chief Justice for the Chickasaw Nation.
"I鈥檓 proud to be Chickasaw,鈥� Bellefeuille-Gordon said. She was crowned the Chickasaw Princess from 1989-1990 and has been recognized for her leadership and influence in the legal field, as well as her commitment to family and community. Her mother Donna was one of the first 25 employees of the Chickasaw Nation.
-成人B站-