It’s not easy being green… but it sure is inspiring.
At the University of Maryland’s 2025 commencement, graduates didn’t just get a diploma — they got a once-in-a-lifetime message from a true legend: Kermit the Frog. With his signature charm, gentle wisdom, and a little green heart full of love, Kermit took the podium and delivered a speech that was equal parts joyful, reflective, and, well, classic Muppet magic.
It was a full-circle moment. Kermit’s creator, Jim Henson, and his wife Jane were both proud Maryland alumni and big-time fans of the Maryland Terrapins. So when Kermit took the stage, it felt like a homecoming — a celebration not just of a graduating class, but of a legacy of creativity, friendship, and dreaming big.
Kermit began by reflecting on what it means to find “your people” — a reminder that the journey ahead doesn’t have to be taken alone.
“Now there is no guarantee that the show is always good or that it’ll go off without a hitch or it doesn’t have its hecklers. But the show must go on and if you’re with your people then you won’t have to do it alone. Because life is not a solo act. No it’s not. It’s a big messy delightful ensemble piece especially when you’re with your people. These are friends that you might have for your whole life and there will be many others to collect along the way.”
Cue the waterworks.
But Kermit didn’t stop there. He encouraged the graduates to lead with kindness, with empathy, and most importantly — with each other.
“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. 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 …Because if I know anything it’s important 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, the truth is dreams are how we figure out where we want to go.”
Honestly? It’s the kind of speech you want to print out, frame, and put on your wall. Or maybe stitch onto a pillow. Or just replay every time life gets a little too real.
In a world that often feels too busy and too loud, Kermit the Frog reminded us all — with his soft voice and even softer wisdom — that the best thing we can do is leap together, be kind, and never stop dreaming.
To the Class of 2025: Kermit believes in you. And so do we.