Seminary of the Southwest proudly announced that the Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe, 28th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, will deliver the commencement address at the Commencement Exercises on May 20, 2026. In addition to giving the address, Rowe will receive an honorary doctorate from the seminary.
Honorary doctorates will also be awarded to the Rt. Rev. Austin Rios ‘03, Bishop of California, Clarke Heidrick, and the Honorable Lora Livingston, both former Board of Trustee members from 2016-2025.
“What an honor to have our Presiding Bishop as our commencement speaker!” shared the Rt. Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce, interim dean and president. “Having known him for over 16 years, and working closely with him for most of that time, it is a great honor to have him with us! I am also excited that Southwest selected an additional three stellar members of the community to receive honorary doctorate degrees. This will be a much blessed day at the seminary.”
The Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe was elected presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church in June 2024 and took office on Nov. 1 for a nine-year term. In this role, he serves as the church’s chief pastor and CEO. Known for his expertise in organizational learning and adaptive change, Rowe is committed to strengthening support for local ministry and mission.
He was ordained bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania in 2007 after serving as rector of St. John’s in Franklin, Pennsylvania, for seven years. From 2014 to 2018, he served as bishop provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, and from 2019 to 2024, he led a partnership between the Episcopal Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York.
Rowe holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Grove City College, a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in organizational learning and leadership from Gannon University. He has served as a leader of many civic and churchwide organizations and governance bodies, and as parliamentarian for the House of Bishops.
The Southwest Commencement Exercises will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on May 20, 2026, at 10am. The event is open to the public and will be livestreamed to the seminary website and Facebook page.