The University of Maryland has announced their 2025 commencement speaker will be none other than America’s favorite amphibian. Kermit the Frog will take the stage to inspire the next generation of leaders, highlighting the legacy of his creator Jim Henson.
At a glance:
- Kermit the Frog will deliver the University of Maryland’s commencement address on May 21, 2025
- The appearance honors Jim Henson, a 1960 UMD graduate who created the Muppets
- Kermit previously received an Honorary Doctorate from the university in 1996
- University President Darryll Pines expressed excitement about welcoming the Disney-owned character
- The puppet character has previously given commencement speeches at Harvard and Southampton College
Disney’s Kermit Returns to Maryland Roots
The University of Maryland announced that Kermit the Frog will deliver the keynote address at its 2025 commencement ceremony on May 21. This unique selection honors the legacy of Jim Henson, the Maryland alumnus who created the beloved Muppets franchise before his company eventually sold the rights to Disney in 2004.
Kermit’s appearance marks a homecoming of sorts, as the character has deep ties to the university where Henson graduated in 1960. The campus already features a bronze statue of Henson and Kermit sitting on a bench, commemorating the influential puppeteer who passed away in 1990.
I would actually be SO HYPE.
Kermit the Frog will be the commencement speaker for UMD’s graduation ceremony this year.
For those who don’t know, Jim Henson was a 1969 graduate of the University of Maryland. pic.twitter.com/MWWGbc043H
— MelaninOnTheMove (@hecallsmePP) March 26, 2025
University Leadership Praises Puppet Speaker
University President Darryll J. Pines enthusiastically endorsed the selection in an official statement released by the school. “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,” Pines said.
The President further emphasized the connection to Henson’s legacy at the institution. “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,” Pines added.
Puppet’s Accolades and Perspectives
Kermit’s credentials for addressing graduates include being an environmental advocate, best-selling author, and Peabody Award winner. The green icon previously received an Honorary Doctorate of amphibious letters from the university in 1996, adding academic credibility to his selection.
“Nothing could make these feet happier than to speak at the University of Maryland,” Kermit said in a prepared statement. “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!”
This won’t be Kermit’s first commencement speech, as he previously addressed graduates at Harvard in 1982 and Southampton College in 1996. The character has been voiced by Matt Vogel since 2017, after Disney replaced longtime puppeteer Steve Whitmire due to what the company described as “unacceptable business conduct.”
Kermit debuted in 1955 on a local Washington D.C. television show before achieving worldwide fame through Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. The announcement comes with the cooperation of The Muppets Studio, Disney, and their creative teams, highlighting the corporate ownership of Henson’s once-independent characters.
