Kermit the Frog to give commencement speech at University of Maryland

• Kermit the Frog will deliver the keynote address at the University of Maryland’s 2025 commencement ceremony on May 21. The choice honors UMD’s connection to Jim Henson, the legendary creator of the Muppets and a 1960 graduate of the university.
• Kermit expressed enthusiasm for inspiring the class of 2025 and previously delivered a commencement speech at Southampton College in 1996.
• His selection adds him to a short list of fictional or animated figures who have addressed graduates. They include SpongeBob SquarePants, Ali G and characters from “The Simpsons.”

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Kermit the Frog is returning to the graduation stage, this time at the University of Maryland. The beloved Muppet will serve as the 2025 commencement speaker in honor of 1960 alumnus and Muppets creator, Jim Henson.

The ceremony will take place May 21 at SECU Stadium, where Kermit will share some heartfelt advice and Muppet-sized wisdom with the graduating class. 

Honoring a legacy

In the announcement, UMD President Darryll J. Pines said, “Our pride in Jim Henson knows no bounds, and it is an honor to welcome Kermit the Frog to our campus, 65 years after Mr. Henson graduated from the University of Maryland. I sincerely thank The Muppets Studio, Disney and their creative teams for making this possible.”

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The announcement comes after Kermit’s sold-out visit to campus last fall, where he participated in the College of Arts and Humanities Dean’s Lecture Series.

Kermit shared his excitement in a statement, saying, “Nothing could make these feet happier than to speak at the University of Maryland. I just know the class of 2025 is going to leap into the world and make it a better place, so if a few encouraging words from a frog can help, then I’ll be there!”

Won’t be Kermit’s first rodeo

Although it may seem like a first-of-its-kind moment, CNN points out that Kermit the Frog has delivered a commencement speech before. In 1996, he spoke at Southampton College of Long Island University and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Amphibious Letters for his environmental advocacy.

Kermit the Frog as a commencement speaker joins a short list of other fictional or animated figures who have taken the podium. 

In 2004, comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, in character as Ali G, spoke at Harvard’s Class Day ceremonies. And in 2012, the voice actors behind SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick addressed graduates at the University of Vermont. Hank Azaria spoke at the Tufts University 2016 commencement, where he ended his speech by performing several of his well-known voices from “The Simpsons.”