Kermit the Frog tapped to deliver commencement address at University of Maryland

Hope he remembers to, uh, clear his throat.Kermit the Frog — the world’s most famous and articulate amphibian — is slated to deliver the commencement address at the University of Maryland this spring.The “Rainbow Connection” singer will offer advice to graduating Terps on May 21, in honor of his late “Muppets” creator Jim Henson, who is an alumnus of the college.The university described Kermit as an environmental advocate, best-selling author, international superstar and an environmentalist in a promotional video announcing the high-profile booking.“From humble beginnings, he has gone on to become one of the world’s most beloved and enduring cultural icons — all while sharing a message of optimism,” a separate statement read, CNN reported. “I am thrilled that our graduates and their families will experience the optimism and insight of the world-renowned Kermit the Frog at such a meaningful time in their lives,” UMD President Darryll J.Pines, said in a statement.“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.I sincerely thank The Muppets Studio, Disney and their creative teams for making this possible,” Pines added.The May ceremony will not be the Peabody Award Winner’s first time addressing a graduating class. Back in 1996, Kermit croaked for the graduates of then-operating Southampton College of Long Island University, in a ceremony where he also received an “Honorary Doctorate in Amphibious Letters.”“When I was a tadpole growing up back in the swamps, I never imagined that I would one day address such an outstanding group of scholars,” Kermit said at the opening of those remarks.“And I am sure that when you were children growing up back in your own particular swamps or suburbs, you never imagined you would sit here, on one of the most important days of your life, listening to a short, green talkin...