Thomas J. Erickson, vice president, Government and Industry Affairs for Bunge North America and a 1987 graduate of the USD School of Law, will provide the keynote address. Erickson represents the interests of Bunge North America and Bunge Limited in the United States, Canada and Mexico on matters of public policy. Prior to joining Bunge, Erickson served as a commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), where he was one of five commissioners responsible for overseeing the U.S. futures and option markets. A member of the State Bar of South Dakota and of the District of Columbia Bar, Erickson was nominated CFTC Commissioner by President Bill Clinton in February 1999 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a four-year term.

A native of Sioux Falls, S.D., Erickson received a B.A. in government and international affairs from Augustana College and a J.D. from the USD School of Law. Following law school, Erickson served as legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Thomas A. Daschle, D-S.D. Prior to joining the CFTC; Erickson was assistant to the president/legal counsel at the National Grain Trade Council (NGTC). As legal counsel to the NGTC, he represented the grain trade and futures markets on matters of agricultural policy, futures trading, international trade, grain quality and tax issues.

Following the School of Law Hooding Ceremony, a reception for the law class of 2011 will be at the Muenster University Center Ballroom.

A photo of Thomas is available for download at www.usd.edu/press/news/images/releases/Thomas_Erickson.jpg.

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Hanna DeLange
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