Did you hear? Everyone’s favorite frog delivered the commencement speech at the University of Maryland this week.

When I first heard about a Muppet giving a milestone speech, I thought it sounded like an unusual choice—do the kids of today even know who Kermit is? (I watch Sesame Street regularly and have never seen him on it.)

But then I learned that Muppets creator Jim Henson graduated from the University of Maryland and a bronze statue of Henson and Kermit sitting on a bench is a popular feature of the College Park campus, so I decided it was a really cool choice and I became intrigued.

Let me stop here. I attended my high school graduation. It was supposed to be held in Trojan Stadium at my high school, however it began to storm an hour or so before the event, so they moved it inside to the gym.

Nearly 600 of us were crammed into a gym with parents in the stands on a June evening. It was hot. I was in a dress covered by a polyester gown. We waited in a long hallway as they called our names, one by one, in what seemed like an endless monotone.

Did I mention it was hot?

I didn’t want to be at my high school graduation in the first place. I was so relieved to be getting out of boring classes and away from cliques full of drama and onto my LIFE!

When I graduated college, I checked the box to have my diploma mailed. I wasn’t going through that dog and pony show again!

When my daughter graduated high school, I sat in a stadium and listened to the class valedictorian talk about how the ship is listing and her classmates would either hang on tight or fall overboard. I thought to myself, “Dear God, this is the most depressing inspirational speech I’ve ever heard.”

Since then, I’ve given it some thought and asked around. Most people don’t remember the words that were said at their graduations (rather like a sermon at a wedding, if I am honest).

I’m thinking the entertainment factor of Kermit is true genius.

As I watched news coverage of our beloved Kermie’s speech, I paid attention to the students. Many were laughing and they all appeared totally engaged.

Kudos to the frog!

I didn’t listen to the entire speech, but thanks to news clips, I got the gist of his words to the Class of 2025:

“Finding your people, taking the leap and making connections,” Kermit told the graduates.

Thinking back over my life and career, I’d say the frog nailed it.

And I think his rendition of The Rainbow Connection summed it up nicely.

I mean, isn’t people, stepping out and connecting everything?

“Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers, and me
La-da-da-de-da-da-do.”