Every spring, famous and skilled figures provide starting addresses on university campuses across the country, providing advice, wisdom and inspiration for graduates as they embark on their next chapter.
At the University of Maryland, graduates may receive words of encouragement on May 21, 2025. The university announced Wednesday that their starting speakers were nothing more than Kermit the Frog, the world's most famous amphibian.
“I am excited that alumni and their families will experience globally significant frog optimism and insights at a meaningful time in their lives,” says Daryl J. Pines of the University of Maryland about Kermit, known for his major roles in “The Muppet Show” and “Sesame Street.”
The university teased the speakers starting in a video release on Wednesday, celebrating the speakers as international superstars, bestselling authors, environmental advocates and Peabody Award winners.
“Um, I think I'm me,” Kermit said. He appears at the end of the video and gives a big smile.
The opening speech is a kind of homecoming for Kermit, who graduated from university in 1960 and has a bronze statue of Kermit and Henson sitting in the campus yard. Mr. Henson made the first version of Kermit from his mother's old coat and cut it in half for his eyes. Mr. Henson, who passed away in 1990, was the original voice behind Kermit, often referring to his alter ego and a slightly awful but clever frog.
“I couldn't make these feet happier than talking at the University of Maryland,” Kermit said in a statement. “I know that the class of 2025 will be a better place to jump into the world, so if some encouraging words from the frog help, I'll be there!”
The starting address is given by well-known people, but the university sometimes thinks outside the box. Last year, D'Oouville University in Buffalo spoke at the start of AI robots, eliciting mixed responses from students, faculty and other attendees.
And this isn't Kermit's first rodeo. In 1996 he gave an opening speech to his graduation class at Southampton College, and was then part of Long Island University, earning his Honorary Doctoral Degree in Amphibious Letters to help raise environmental awareness.
Many alumni decorated their gowns with a green sticker with the words “Kermit '96,” reported The New York Times, but not all students were excited to see the dolls on the podium.
Still, if the past is any indication, Kermit will deliver a positive message to the University of Maryland Terps. At the start of 1996, Kermit's speech contained some ribs, which he translated for the audience.
“Success and smile may always be yours,” the Washington Post said, “Even when you're deep in the mud of sticky life,” he said.
