COLLEGE PARK — As the University of Maryland, College Park graduates prepare to leap into the next stage of life, Kermit the Frog left them with a message of connection and love Thursday evening at SECU Stadium.
“You’re probably sitting next to some of your people right now,” Kermit told the students. “These are friends you might have for your whole life, and there will be many others to collect along the way. So always keep your eyes open, like I do. Actually, I can’t really close my eyes.”
While addressing his more serious themes of connection, “finding your people” and “taking the leap,” jokes about his life as a frog were scattered throughout, like when the student union had mosquito sprinkles for ice cream. He spoke of his statue on campus, asking the crowd not to rub his nose, as is tradition with the Testudo mascot statues to gain good luck. Another rite of passage for students, jumping into McKeldin Fountain late at night, also received a mention.
Though not quite a swamp, the campus is the frog’s spiritual birthplace. Henson, a native of University Park, created Kermit with one of his mother’s coats and a pingpong ball cut in half while studying home economics at the university. He graduated in 1960, voicing Kermit from 1955 until he died in 1990.
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Now voiced by Muppet performer Matt Vogel, Kermit shared lessons he learned from Henson who, in the early years, “had a hand in literally everything” he did. It was Henson who taught him about finding his people and that every unique individual has a place. He imparted that message to the graduates, encouraging them to “leap” forward together, instead of stepping on one another as his cousin used to do when playing leapfrog in the swamp.
“So 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,” Kermit said. “Rather than jumping over someone to get what you want, consider reaching out your hand and taking a leap side by side, because life is better when we leap together.”
It might not be easy being green, but public speaking seems to be a breeze for the fuzzy frog. Kermit’s speech Thursday was the second time he’s spoken at a UMD graduation after he delivered a speech at the 1996 winter graduation. He visited the school again for the College of Arts and Humanities Dean’s Lecture Series in 2024. He returned to campus dressed in a tiny robe, mortarboard and tassel while speaking to thousands of graduates
As the 2025 graduates — and 2024 summer and winter graduates — processed into the ceremony, those in the crowd stocked up on Kermit plushies holding a banjo, Muppets-themed stickers and Maryland shirts featuring Fozzie Bear, Kermit and Gonzo, along with other merchandise. Cheers erupted as Kermit made a brief appearance on the video board.
Having Kermit as a commencement speaker was “certainly special,” Tim Shotashvili, who graduated with a degree in economics, said. It was “funny” that other schools have highly accomplished people speaking at their commencement ceremonies, “and we have a puppet.”
Quinn Gardiner was “pretty bummed” when he found out that Kermit was selected to be the commencement speaker, but as the days progressed, he thought it would be funny and memorable.
“I think it’s pretty cool,” Gardiner, who graduated with a degree in information systems, said.
Master’s graduate Vineet Chheda had doubts about Kermit’s speech, but it exceeded his expectations. He was anticipating that a person would speak at commencement and didn’t know what would come of a speech from a puppet, especially since he didn’t grow up with a connection to Kermit.
“But the way Kermit just said what he said really resonated with me,” Chheda said. “So I think it was, like, quite [a] novel idea, especially during like these times.”
As an undergraduate student in 2020, Chheda didn’t get much of a commencement amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He was finally able to attend his first commencement ceremony, and while it has been challenging to find jobs during uncertain times, especially as an international student, it was good to have a lighthearted speech that “lifts our spirits up.”
Some parents were excited to see a character who had been part of their childhoods speak to the crowd, while others had mixed feelings.
Janet Miller, who was celebrating her daughter’s graduation from the School of Public Health, said she was excited to see Kermit speak. Humor is needed during current times and Kermit can help to lighten the mood, she said. Her family member, Novelette Morris, said she remembers watching “Sesame Street” and loves Kermit, so she was happy to see him speak.
While others were looking forward to Kermit’s speech, they felt that he was chosen as the speaker to avoid any bold statements or political remarks. He was what Juliana Anzalone, whose daughter graduated, said was a “safe choice.” She wore a graduation 2025 pin with the UMD “M” logo and Kermit that she 3D-printed, yet she was a bit disappointed in his selection as speaker.
John Fleming was dealing with conflicting thoughts as a lover of the Muppets and a fan of Kermit. There’s “no getting around” that the choice of Kermit was “a little bit of a cop-out” during tough political times, he said. Fleming grew up with the Muppets and said the Muppets Christmas movie still manages to be watched every year. Kermit is a memorable choice, he said.
“If you want to avoid making a statement of any kind, this is the kind of approach you take. So I don’t want to take anything away from the graduates and make more of an issue out of it than it actually is, but it’s interesting to note the choice,” Fleming, a proud parent of a graduate, said.
Many of those parents and family members might remember the days when graduates were young watching “Sesame Street” as they were yesterday, Kermit said, highlighting the importance of connections with parents, family, friends and the individuals who helped graduates reach their position in the stadium. He encouraged graduates to stay connected with friends, those they love and their dreams, “no matter how big, no matter how impossible they seem.”
“The truth is, dreams are how we figure out where we want to go, and life is how we get there,” Kermit said.
Banjo music filtered in as his speech came to a close, connecting back to his famous song “Rainbow Connection.” Students swayed, cheering and singing along to the lyrics on the big screen, soaking up their final moments as students together. One kissed a small Kermit plushie.
“Life’s like a movie! Write your own ending. Keep believing. Keep pretending. You’ve all done just what you set out to do,” Kermit said. “And you’re just getting started!”
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