Graduated from Huron Senior High School in 1972

Graduate of Harvard University, 1976 with a B.A. Degree in Government and International Relations

Harvard Honors Thesis on “Tribal Government in South Dakota”

Master’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from South Dakota State University in 1977 with Master’s Thesis on “Analysis of Media Coverage of Oahe Irrigation Project”

Law Degree from the University of South Dakota, 1980; member of South Dakota Law Review and author of Law Review article entitled "Relief from Default Judgments"