Kermit Delivers University of Maryland's 2025 Commencement Address!

As we reported back in March, last night Kermit delivered the University of Maryland's 2025 Commencement Address.

Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle/University of Maryland

As expected, the speech was full of wisdom and encouragement for the class of 2025. He even mentioned his right hand man Jim Henson, who graduated from University of Maryland. in 1969. 

Photo by Stephanie Riley Sims/ University of Maryland

You can see images and a video of the entire speech below provided to us by the University of Maryland. 

Photo by Stephanie Riley Sims/ University of Maryland

Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle/University of Maryland

Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle/University of Maryland

Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle/University of Maryland

Kermit was interviewed by NBC News earlier in the week about the speech.

Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle/University of Maryland

Our friend Lucas Ross was also there to lend his banjo skills for a speech ending "Rainbow Connection" sing-a-long.

Although Kermit does appear from time to time during the 3 hour commencement, his keynote speech starts at 2 hour mark below.

It's great to see how many students and guests brough along Kermit items to celebrate his return to College Park.

Photo by Stephanie John Consoli/University of Maryland

Congrats to the University of Maryland's class of 2025. 

Kermit the Frog to Deliver University of Maryland's 2025 Commencement Address!

In celebration of The Muppets 70th Anniversary, The University of Maryland, Jim Henson's alma mater, will have a very special guest delivering the commencement address - Kermit The Frog!

The University of Maryland announced that Kermit the Frog will deliver their commencement address on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at SECU Stadium.

Kermit the Frog returns to the university to share an inspiring message with this year's graduates after a sold-out visit to the campus last fall 2024 as part of the College of Arts and Humanities Dean's Lecture Series.

Kermit the Frog's appearance honors the long history between UMD and Muppets creator Jim Henson, who graduated from UMD in 1960. Henson, a home economics major, invented Kermit by building the original frog puppet out of one of his mother's coats and a ping-pong ball cut in half.

"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."

"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!" said Kermit The Frog.

You can watch the announcement below:

They even changed their social media profiles to celebrate!

More details about the campuswide ceremony are available at commencement.umd.edu.

University of Maryland Lecture Series With Kermit the Frog!

To celebrate Jim Henson's birthday, his alma mater, The University of Maryland, is hosting a lecture with Kermit the Frog.

To honor the life and legacy of distinguished alum Jim Henson ’60, the College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) presents a special evening with “the world’s most famous amphibian,” Kermit.

Created by Henson in 1955, Kermit the Frog is a global icon of kindness, positivity, humor and heart. As Henson’s signature Muppet, Kermit starred in Sesame Street, The Muppet Show and numerous films and TV specials, always embodying his creator’s gentle wisdom and creativity.

At UMD, Kermit will be joined by Muppet performer Matt Vogel, along with ARHU Dean Stephanie Shonekan, for a vibrant evening of conversation, reflection and celebration featuring musical performances by students, faculty and members of the community—and of course by Kermit himself.

A signature event of ARHU, this event is co-sponsored by the Arts for All initiative with support from the American Banjo Museum, and created in partnership with the UMD School of Music and the UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies.

 A Q&A will be included.

Tickets and info here. Tickets are free but registration is required. 

Muppet Merch at The University of Maryland!

The University of Maryland is celebrating their most famous alumni, Jim Henson.

Not only do they already have a statue of Jim and Kermit and now they've unveiled a new line of exclusive merchandise to coincide with their new puppetry exhibit.

There's a long sleeve "Maryland" shirt featuring Fozzie, Gonzo, and Kermit, 

a University of Maryland shirt featuring Kermit,

and a "Wild About Maryland" shirt featuring Animal.  

The shirts are also available online.

The Art & Craft of Puppetry Exhibit  "explores how puppets have captured our imagination by examining specific puppets, universal characteristics, international aesthetics, and local puppet companies. It also asks a playfully provocative question: What makes a puppet? The diversity of puppet styles and techniques displayed provides the opportunity for visitors to think more broadly about an art form that transcends cultural boundaries, while also demonstrating how puppets work.

Six puppets, including a character from the original Fraggle Rock series on loan from The Jim Henson Company and others on loan from the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, will be on view."

The University of Maryland 's The Art & Craft of Puppetry Exhibit is open to the public until July 29, 2022.

Thanks to Philip Jeremy Moyer for the info.