NE North Dakota News

Former NFL player Jim Kleinsasser will address graduates at the University of North Dakota's Spring Commencement on May 17. A native of North Dakota, Kleinsasser enjoyed a 13-year career with the Minnesota Vikings. He is set to speak at both the graduate degree ceremony at 9 a.m. and the undergraduate degree ceremony at 2 p.m., at the Alerus Center. UND President Andrew Armacost will preside over the ceremonies.

Reflecting on his time at UND before entering the NFL, Kleinsasser was recognized as a first-team All-North Central Conference pick three times and earned first-team All-American honors twice. His athletic achievements culminated in an induction into the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame in 2025.

During the commencement, UND will award an honorary degree to Noren Pan, co-founder and president of MicroLink Devices. Pan’s background in electrical engineering contributed to advancements in microwave and solar cell device performance. As a Grand Forks native, Pan has maintained ties with UND, and his efforts were instrumental in establishing the University’s Stratospheric Operations and Research Symposium.

In addition to the main ceremonies, the School of Medicine & Health Sciences and the School of Law will also hold their respective commencement events. The School of Medicine & Health Sciences will see 59 students graduate on May 3, with Dr. Lauren N. Huddle delivering a speech. The School of Law’s ceremony for 68 graduates will occur on May 10, featuring North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong as a speaker.

Jim Kleinsasser, a former tight end for the Minnesota Vikings, came from Carrington, N.D., and was not only a standout in football but also in basketball during his university years. Kleinsasser has supported UND student-athletes and engaged with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Minnesota during his tenure with the Vikings. He and his wife Christa contributed significantly to the foundation's activities and fundraising initiatives.

Now retired from professional football, Kleinsasser is focused on his family and coaching youth sports, aiming to be a positive role model for young athletes. He is currently coaching at Westonka High School in Mound, Minn.

Noren Pan, originally from Cambodia, moved to the U.S. in 1974, settling in Grand Forks through the support of UND's then-president Tom Clifford. Having graduated from UND with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Pan has achieved significant success in his career, playing a key role in developing advanced semiconductor technologies.

Pan's work is pivotal in the improvement of high-efficiency solar cells, exemplified when his solar cell technology powered an Airbus Zephyr UAV for 64 consecutive days in the stratosphere in 2022. He has a history of employment at Raytheon Research and Kopin Corporation, contributing to the development of transistors used in cell phones.

Pan's company, MicroLink Devices, founded in 2000, stands at the forefront of semiconductor device innovation, including the production of solar panels and components used in wireless devices. Pan's efforts have had significant impacts on industries related to technology and aviation.

More than 1,700 students are expected to graduate across the ceremonies over three weekends. The events will be accessible via livestream and on-demand for wider participation.