Jakob Lund is the first University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law graduate to have participated in the Northern State University Honors Law Opportunity Program.

Lund left Kansas City, Missouri, his hometown, to attend Northern State University. The university, located in Aberdeen, South Dakota, partners with the law school through the program to provide five guaranteed admission spots to selected honors students upon completion of their undergraduate degree. The program is open to any NSU honors student regardless of their current field of study.

Throughout his academic studies, Lund was motivated by a love for debate and advocacy. The two passions, he says, explain why he always wanted to go to law school.

"It is a combination of debate and then reading books about topics like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X," said Lund. "Reading those advocacy-type books built my passion for wanting to do a job where I can help people, and I think law school is the perfect opportunity to do that."

Lund's perfect opportunity became more accessible when Kristi Bockorny, director of the NSU honors program, introduced him to the program. After being accepted and graduating from the Knudson School of Law, Lund highlights six other impactful mentors and moments:

His high school debate coach, Adam Higgins, inspired him to attend college; his high school mock trial coach, Irene Downs, introduced him to advocacy in the courtroom; traveling and helping build a debate program with NSU professor Justin Foote; taking USD professor Laura Rose's trial technology course his second year of law school; discussing philosophy behind the law with USD professor Tyler Moore; and receiving experienced insight from USD professor emeritus Frank Pommersheim.

The choice to attend law school through the pathway the program provided was not the only decision in Lund's academic journey that felt right.

When asked about his decision to attend NSU, Lund said, "It was kind of last second, and I just thought it was quiet, it was beautiful," adding, "South Dakota was definitely a change of pace from Kansas City, and I fell in love with it."

He says the small-town culture of Aberdeen and NSU provided him with opportunities to get involved and participate in more events. Lund built community connections through working weekends at the local Buffalo Wild Wings, qualifying for the honors program and joining the debate team.

"Aberdeen is just a close-knit community, and I think it represents South Dakota," said Lund. "I joined debate when he was still trying to build it, so it was really fun. We had a small team, and I made a lot of memories and friends. With the honors program, I was able to do research and travel."

After earning a degree in sociology with minors in legal studies and criminal justice, Lund took the clear pathway to the Knudson School of Law. Once at USD's law school, he enjoyed the accessibility of the 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.

"The faculty really care, and I don't think you can get that anywhere else," said Lund. "It is more enjoyable to be able to come into a classroom where your professor takes the time to talk to you."

While in law school, Lund refocused on his love for the courtroom setting. He was active on the trial team and was awarded best direct examination at USD's annual intramural trial team competition in spring 2025.

Lund spent his time at USD exploring and establishing a personal value system; he recommends aspiring lawyers do the same.

"In my first year, Professor Pommersheim asked us, 'What is justice?' Asking questions like these helped me find my foundation," said Lund. "Take time to answer these questions and determine why you want to be a lawyer."

After graduation, Lund is staying in South Dakota to be near his high school sweetheart and fiancee, Alexandria Arndt, as she finishes her third year at USD's Knudson School of Law. In accordance with his passions for advocacy and debate, especially in a courtroom setting, Lund is pursuing a career in trial work.