Kermit the Frog Will Be the Commencement Speaker for a Major University This Year

High-profile commencement addresses that are frequently delivered at college graduation ceremonies, year in and year out, can run pretty far and wide in terms of the celebrity or public figure of choice who's been tasked with sending off graduates with wise words of advice to carry with them into the real world.

But when a university can stake claim to a legendary Muppet doing such a thing, it kind of feels like the bar has once again been raised—or perhaps entirely reset, for that matter.

Amazingly, come commencement time in May, the University of Maryland's graduating class of 2025 will be getting precisely just that in Kermit the Frog.

The Kermit and Jim Henson statue at the University of Maryland. pic.twitter.com/kLC9l7Sq0g

— WEIRDLAND TV (@WeirdlandTales) March 12, 2019

The somewhat unusual announcement shouldn't really come as a total surprise out of nowhere, with the school aptly noting that the legendary puppet's speaking appearance will honor "the long history between UMD and Muppets creator Jim Henson," who graduated from the University of Maryland in 1960.

Nonetheless, Kermit the Frog sounded enthused by the honor to do such a thing:

"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!” the unmistakable Muppet said in a statement released by the school.

Despite how amusing it might sound for Kermit the Frog being crowned as the keynote speaker, the sentiment behind the choice does carry some serious weight:

"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," said UMD President Darryll J. Pines. "I sincerely thank The Muppets Studio, Disney and their creative teams for making this possible."

Kermit the Frog is scheduled to deliver the university’s commencement speech on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.