Your graduation might be memorable, but does it have Kermit the Frog giving the best ethical career advice you could ever have as a young adult? Well, probably not, but some lucky graduates in Maryland have that exact graduation memory to cherish. Kermit the Frog attended the university graduation in Maryland and gave the graduates some words to live by.
Of course, the school in question is none other than the University of Maryland and luckily for them, the Muppets’ creator, Jim Henson, is an alumnus. Hence, they were able to “invite” Kermit to the commencement ceremony. The lean green dean amphibian spoke on the stage while the graduates were being handed out their diplomas. Here’s what he had to say:
“When I was a little bit younger than all of you, I used to have fun in the swamp playing ‘leapfrog,’ it was our favorite game. We loved it, except for my cousin, Albert. He never actually leapt; he just stepped on your back and used your head like a lily pad. Sure, he got ahead but it was only by stepping on them. Even told that’s how you succeed. Some choose to believe it, but I know they’re wrong.
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,” says Kermit in the University of Maryland
Kermit never really went into what happened to his cousin Albert afterward, or whether Albert went on to become a politician or tech bro billionaire, but the point of his speech is that cooperation is better than competition. Of course, he had more to say, but if we’re to include all of it, then we’d need a feature or even a listicle. In any case, here’s the whole ceremony:
All in all, Kermit the Frog’s UMD graduation speech was something to remember, and it was certainly a well-received speech, especially in this day and age during a time of economic uncertainty and political upheaval. Kermit eventually ended his University of Maryland speech by singing a beautiful song about rainbows, signifying to the graduates that there’s always a beautiful relief at the end of a long struggle.
Not All People Had the Privilege of Getting Kermit’s Advice
Sadly, not all schools were given the opportunity to get Kermit’s profound life advice in a time when young adults really needed it. Other people online who saw the UMD commencement ceremony recalled that their graduations were less cool. Some schools and graduation years in UMD’s past, however, had Big Bird as the speaker, which is still great.
One commenter, however, recalled that the person who spoke at their graduation was Mel Gibson, and while he had the star power, it’s kind of hard to take advice from him. Meanwhile, those questioning where Kermit’s puppeteer hid during the 2025 UMD graduation were quick to correct such non-believers by saying Kermit is a real person, which he is.
“Did the puppeteer hide in the podium the whole time or did he break the illusion 😭,” asks AggressiveWave
“Puppeteer? Kermit is just a normal guy,” assures iTwango
“I would’ve loved Kermit. I’m still bitter and annoyed my undergrad commencement speaker (2003) was Mel Gibson,” regrets dollheads
“The voice of Big Bird gave the commencement address at my school! It was amazing. He opened with, in Big Bird’s voice, ‘Hello everyone, remember me? I was your first teacher,'” remembers novacthall
