Last week on Wednesday, March 26, the University of Maryland announced that Kermit the Frog will be delivering the university’s 2025 commencement address. The creator of Kermit, Jim Henson, graduated from UMD in 1960 with a home economics major. Kermit is expected to say a couple words of encouragement to the graduating class to help them “leap” into the world.
According to the Jim Henson Company, Henson was born on September 24, 1936, in Greenville Mississippi. At age 17, he was hired to “manipulate marionettes” on a Saturday morning children’s show called The Junior Morning Show. In 1954, he began his education at the University of Maryland. The National Museum of American History explains that a year later, he created the first version of Kermit the Frog out of his mother’s coat, his blue jeans, and a ping-pong ball. This version was made for Sam and Friends, a local Washington D.C. television show.
Many know Kermit from Sesame Street, which was founded in 1969 by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrissett. According to Sesame Workshop, their idea was that television could help prepare disadvantaged children for school, during the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement. Kermit made an appearance in the first season, and his fame grew from there.
Kermit the Frog is known for his optimism and insight, even if he was created for a younger audience. The commencement speech will certainly bring nostalgia to the students as they hear from a childhood idol.
Do you hope to listen to Kermit the Frog at your college graduation?