UND Law School Commencement Ceremony, Saturday May 10, 2008

Hon. Ralph R. Erickson to Deliver Commencement Address

UND Law School Commencement Ceremony
Saturday May 10, 2008, 9:00 a.m.
Chester Fritz Auditorium, Grand Forks, ND

Eighty-one law school students will receive the Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree at a special commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 10, 2008 for the University of North Dakota School of Law.  The ceremony begins at 9:00 a.m. at the UND Chester Fritz Auditorium and will be officiated by UND School of Law Dean Paul LeBel and UND President Charles Kupchella. 

This year’s commencement speaker is United States District Judge Ralph R. Erickson.  Erickson is one of two U.S. District judges in North Dakota and is a 1984 graduate of the UND School of Law. 

Following his graduation from Law School, Judge Erickson was in the private practice of law in West Fargo with a broad general trial practice.  Prior to his appointment to the federal bench Erickson served as a state district judge, a judge of the county court, and a county court magistrate. While on the state bench he presided over civil, criminal and juvenile matters. He was the first judge of the Juvenile Drug Court in the East Central Judicial District. 

Erickson serves as a member of the 8th Circuit Judicial Council and is a member of the Defender Services Committee (CJA), Chair of the Jury System Committee, Pattern Jury Instruction Committee, and the Tribal Court Committee.  He is a member of the State Bar Association of North Dakota, the Cass County (ND) Bar Association, and the Ronald N. Davies Inn of Court.  He and his wife Michele currently reside in Fargo, ND and have two school-aged daughters.

During the ceremony, North Dakota State Board of Higher Education president John Q. Paulsen will deliver a message from the from the board and Professor Patti Alleva and Adjunct Professor Al Boucher will serve as hooders. 

The commencement ceremony is open to the public.