Kermit the Frog is a Graduation Speaker

Everyone’s favorite frog will give a speech for the University of Maryland Class of 2025

“Hi Ho! Kermit the Frog here!”

These are the famous words of introduction Kermit has shared for years with viewers of Sesame Street. Now, he will be busy putting the finishing touches on his speech for the Class of 2025 at the University of Maryland.

Most graduation speakers share experiences from their own school and life experiences when they speak to graduates on the important day.

Kermit has talked publicly about the challenges he has overcome from life in a wetland swamp to the road to Hollywood. 

We can all join in on his famous song about “It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green” when he sings about spending each day as “the color of the leaves.” Kermit’s self-doubt about acceptance eventually leads him to discover what makes him unique in a world of many different colors. 

Kermit’s Invitation to be a Graduation Speaker

The University of Maryland has announced that Kermit the Frog will deliver the university’s commencement address on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. According to the school. “The beloved Muppet and legendary frog will address summer 2024, winter 2024 and spring 2025 graduates, family and friends during the ceremony at SECU Stadium.”

Kermit had a sold-out visit to campus in fall 2024 as part of the College of Arts and Humanities Dean’s Lecture Series. He will return to the school from The Muppets Studio, part of the Magic of Disney, to share an inspiring message with this year’s graduates.

There is a long history between UMD and Muppets creator Jim Henson. Henson graduated from UMD in 1960 as a home economics major. Henson created the original puppet for Kermit by building it out of one of his mother’s coats and a ping-pong ball cut in half.      

You can watch this video to learn more about Kermit’s graduation day event happening in a few weeks.                                                                                                                                   

What Are People at the School Saying about Kermit the Graduation Speaker?

“I am thrilled that our graduates and their families will experience the optimism and insight of the world-renowned Kermit the Frog at such a meaningful time in their lives,” said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. 

“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.”

Michael Shwartzberg is a parent of a University of Maryland graduating senior. 

“Kermit the Frog is a classic part of iconic American culture and holds many positive memories for so many people,” he says.

“Having Kermit as a commencement speaker for the Class of 2025 is a wonderful tribute to Jim Henson as a University of Maryland graduate and as someone whose characters meant so much for our generation growing up.  I hope the graduating Maryland students consider the impact and meaning of so many of Kermit’s wonderful sayings and quotes as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”

What Kermit Has to Say

Kermit spoke at Harvard University in 1982 and in 1996 for a graduating class of Southampton College which was a part of Long Island University at the time. The school gave him an honorary degree for helping raise environmental awareness.

“I am sure that when you were children growing up back in your own particular swamps or suburbs, you never imagined you would sit here on one of the most important days of your life listening to a short, green talking frog deliver your commencement address. All of us should feel very proud of ourselves… and just a little bit silly,” Kermit said during his speech.

“In any case, congratulations to all of you graduates. As we say in the wetlands, ‘Ribbit-ribbit-kneedeep-ribbit,’ which means ‘May success and a smile always be yours… even when you’re knee deep in the sticky muck of life.’”

And Kermit is ready to deliver his words of green wisdom to the class of 2025

“Nothing could make these feet happier than to speak at the University of Maryland, ” says Kermit. “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!”