USD to confer degrees at 34th Winter Commencement
Long, former South Dakota Attorney General, was appointed to the largest judicial circuit in South Dakota (by population) in 2009 by Gov. Mike Rounds. Sworn in during a ceremony in September, he’s one of 10 judges overseeing the 2nd Judicial Circuit, which includes Lincoln and Minnehaha Counties. Prior to being appointed judge to South Dakota’s 2nd Judicial Circuit, Long was state attorney general for seven years after being elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.
Praised for his commitment to fight drunk driving and underage drinking, earlier this year Long was honored as a recipient of the John P. McGovern Award for his work and dedication to the 24/7 Sobriety program, which works to change the behavior of chronic driving while impaired (DWI) offenders and to prevent repeat DWI arrests. He and Bill Mickelson, program manager, were honored by the Institute for Behavior and Health, Inc., at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in June. Before serving as South Dakota Attorney General, Long was chief deputy attorney general for South Dakota from 1991 to 2002. A graduate of The University of South Dakota School of Law, Long received his bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University. He and his wife, Jan, who reside in Sioux Falls, S.D., have two children.
In addition to awarding degrees to 457 candidates, the 34th Winter Commencement, which begins at 10 a.m. at the DakotaDome, includes a performance by USD’s Chamber Singers.