UND celebrates spring commencement, capping a year of momentum
May 17—GRAND FORKS — More than 1,000 UND students celebrated commencement during festivities Saturday at the Alerus Center.
"You join an alumni family that is over 150,000 strong — a family that cares deeply about the university and, most importantly, has cared about each of you as you prepare to step into the next chapter of your lives," Mike Mannausau, of the UND Alumni Association and Foundation, told graduates. "This momentum is fueled by your hard work, the dedication of our faculty and staff and the amazing support of alumni who believe in the transformative power of a UND degree."
In total this spring, more than 1,100 undergraduates and 600 graduate students received their degrees. Earlier in May, nearly 60 students graduated from UND's School of Medicine and Health Services
and 73 students graduated from the School of Law.
UND Hall of Fame member Jim Kleinsasser spoke at both the graduate and undergraduate ceremonies for the commencement speech. Kleinsasser is a North Dakota native who spent 13 years playing for the Minnesota Vikings and was recently inducted into the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
"UND isn't just a university, it's a community," Kleinsasser said. "It's a community that will positively impact you throughout your life if you let it."
Kleinsasser also received the President's Medal, the highest honor UND President Andrew Armacost can give. Kleinsasser gave advice to UND graduates. He urged them to stay connected and show up, adding that adversity will make them stronger.
"From this day forward, I hope that you all show up every day, meet adversity with an attitude of growth and change, and stay connected to this university so you have a support system behind you when facing that adversity," Kleinsasser said.
During proceedings, UND also awarded an honorary degree to Noren Pan. The Grand Forks native is co-founder and president of MicroLink Devices. Pan's work focused on research into microwave and solar cell devices and he also helped establish UND's Stratospheric Operations and Research Symposium.
The undergraduate ceremony was accompanied by performances by UND's wind ensemble and vocal performances of "America the Beautiful" and "Alma Mater" by Ella Henry. The graduate ceremony included performances by Henry and by pianist Roxanne Gessley.
North Dakota State Board of Higher Education student member Maxwell Eriksud, a current UND student, reminded graduates that UND is always a place to call home.
"UND is more than a campus — it's a home and like all homes, there comes a time where we must all leave," Eriskrud said. "The beauty of UND is that while we may leave today, it will always be a home to come back to."
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