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

Created by UMD Alum Jim Henson '60, Beloved Muppet Will Address Graduates at Campus Ceremony on May 21, 2025

COLLEGE PARK, Md., March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Maryland announced today that Kermit the Frog will deliver the university's commencement address on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. 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.

After a sold-out visit to campus in fall 2024 as part of the College of Arts and Humanities Dean's Lecture Series, Kermit the Frog returns to the university from The Muppets Studio, part of the Magic of Disney, to share an inspiring message with this year's graduates. 

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. 

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

About the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland (UMD) is the state's flagship university and a leading public research institution, propelled by a $1.3 billion joint research enterprise. Located four miles from Washington, D.C., the university is dedicated to addressing the grand challenges of our time and is the nation's first Do Good campus. It is driven by a diverse and proudly inclusive community of more than 50,000 fearless Terrapins. UMD is a top producer of Fulbright scholars and offers an unparalleled student experience with more than 300 academic programs, 25 living-learning programs and 400 study abroad programs. Spurred by a culture of innovation and creativity, UMD faculty are global leaders in their field and include Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners and members of the national academies. For more information about the University of Maryland, visit umd.edu.

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SOURCE University of Maryland