Vekich, a candidate for the nomination for governor of Minnesota in 2002, serves as chair of HF Financial Corp and Home Federal Bank, South Dakota’s largest publicly-traded savings bank. Previously, he was owner and CEO of Vekich Arkema & Company, a public accounting firm servicing clients in nine countries worldwide. Additional public service positions include chair of the Board of Trustees, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; chair of the Minnesota State Board of Accountancy; and a former member of the Rochester, Minn. Higher Education Development Committee.

In 2008, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty appointed Vekich chair of the Governor’s 21st Century Tax Reform Commission. The commission provided advice and recommendations on reforming the state’s tax laws with the goal of making long-term improvements in the revenue system. Four years earlier, Pawlenty appointed Vekich acting director of the Minnesota State Lottery. During his eight-month tenure, he created the organization’s first strategic plan and increased profits by 26 percent to $100 million, the largest return to the state in the Lottery’s history. Vekich received a B.A. in accounting and business administration from the University of Minnesota.

In addition to a keynote address by Vekich and conferring of degrees, USD’s Spring Commencement will honor distinguished faculty from the 2012-13 academic year, including recipients of the Belbas-Larson Awards for Excellence in Teaching; the Richard and Sharon Cutler Awards in Liberal Arts; the John Wesley Jackson Memorial Award presented to the outstanding professor of law; and the College of Fine Arts Distinguished Professor Award.

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