Weirdest commencement speaker ever? Kermit the Frog at UMD: “If you’re willing to listen to a frog...”

Universities often try to get famous alumnus or people of renown to come speak at graduation ceremonies, but it’s not often that a puppet is used to give the commencement address. That was the case at the University of Maryland in 2025, when Kermit the Frog took the stage.

The amphibious Muppet has history with the UMD, his creator Jim Henson graduated from the school in 1960 when Kermit was already five years old. The institution also has a bronze statute honoring Henson and Kermit sitting on a bench on the university’s College Park campus.

Kermit encourages graduates to leap together into the future

As is par for course of any graduation commencement speech, Kermit the Frog shared some pearls of wisdom with the Class of 2025 reflecting back on his own growing up and how his creator “had a hand in literally everything” he did. “I am honored to share some words of wisdom about three things that are close to my heart: finding your people, taking the leap and making connections,” Kermit said kicking off his speech.

He explained that Henson was a collector of people with talent, that “he could always see the spark in someone.” Kermit said that he learned the importance of finding what is unique in people, sharing what is unique about yourself and that everyone has a place from Henson.

Kermit pointed out that there is no guarantee that everything will go correctly, there won’t be any problems, or that you may even get heckled, “but the show must go on,” he said. “If you’re with your people... you won’t have to do it alone, because life is not a solo act.”

The lovable frog then segued into his next piece of sage advice, “taking the leap.”

“As you prepare to take this big leap into real life, here’s a little advice if you’re willing to listen to a frog. Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want, consider reaching out your hand and taking the leap side by side because life is better when we leap together,” Kermit told the audience.

He explained that “in the swamp” some people think that the way to get ahead and succeed is by stepping on others’ backs and using their head like a lily pad to leap off of. “Some choose to believe it, but I know they’re wrong,” he shared.

Finally, before leading the stadium in a ‘Rainbow Connection’ sing-along, Kermit talked to the graduates about the importance of connections. He encouraged the young adults going off into the world to “stay connected to your loved ones, stay connected to your friends, and most of all, stay connected to your dreams, no matter how big, no matter how impossible they seem.”

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