UMD's 2025 Commencement Speaker: Kermit The Frog—Internet Reactions

Viktoria Ivanova

4 min read

Post on May 24, 2025

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The Initial Announcement and its Impact

The official announcement, delivered via a playful tweet from UMD's official Twitter account, immediately ignited a firestorm of activity across social media platforms. The unexpected news—a renowned Muppet as commencement speaker—was met with widespread shock and disbelief. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram were flooded with comments expressing a mixture of surprise, amusement, and outright hilarity. The initial reaction was overwhelmingly one of positive astonishment. For example, one early tweet read, "UMD's commencement speaker is Kermit the Frog?! I'm not even a UMD alum and I'm hyped!" The news quickly spread beyond individual social media posts, becoming a trending topic and featured on various news websites and blogs, further amplifying the viral nature of the announcement.

The Meme-ification of Kermit the Frog as Commencement Speaker

The internet's response to Kermit's appointment wasn't limited to simple expressions of surprise; it quickly morphed into a full-blown meme extravaganza. Countless images emerged showcasing Kermit in a graduation cap and gown, often superimposed onto classic Kermit scenes or paired with witty captions related to graduation, higher education, and the absurdity of the situation. The humor stemmed from the inherent incongruity of a Muppet delivering a commencement address, playing on Kermit's wise-yet-slightly-befuddled persona. Memes featuring Kermit's iconic phrase, "Hi-ho, Kermit here," were particularly prevalent, often altered to reflect the graduation context: "Hi-ho, Kermit here, to give you some words of wisdom (and maybe sing a song)." These memes perfectly encapsulated the internet's overall amusement and surprise, turning the announcement into a shared cultural experience.

Positive and Negative Reactions: A Divided Internet?

While the vast majority of online reactions were positive, leaning heavily on humor and the novelty of the choice, some dissenting voices emerged. A small contingent expressed concerns about the seriousness of the commencement ceremony, questioning whether a Muppet was an appropriate choice for such a significant event. However, these negative reactions were largely outnumbered by the overwhelmingly positive sentiment. Many argued that Kermit's wholesome nature and inspirational message could resonate with graduates just as powerfully as a traditional human speaker. UMD students themselves largely seemed to embrace the unconventional selection, with many expressing excitement about the prospect of a unique and memorable commencement. Alumni reactions were similarly diverse, showcasing a mix of playful nostalgia and genuine enthusiasm for this unorthodox choice.

Analyzing the Marketing Genius (or Lack Thereof)

Was UMD's decision a stroke of calculated marketing genius, or a happy accident? The sheer volume of online engagement generated by the announcement suggests the former. The unexpected nature of the choice acted as a powerful catalyst for viral marketing, generating significant positive media coverage and propelling UMD into the national spotlight. However, alternative explanations exist; it's possible the decision was a humorous attempt to alleviate the stress and anxiety often associated with graduation, offering a lighthearted moment amidst a potentially stressful time for students. Whatever the intention, the strategy undeniably succeeded in generating significant buzz, potentially yielding long-term benefits in terms of enhanced university visibility and increased applications.

Conclusion

The internet's response to Kermit the Frog's appointment as UMD's 2025 commencement speaker has been overwhelmingly positive and hilarious. The unexpected announcement triggered a wave of memes, sparking lively online discussions and showcasing the power of playful, unconventional choices. From the initial shock to the subsequent meme-ification, the event has successfully demonstrated the potent combination of surprise and humor in creating viral content.

Want to join the conversation about UMD's unconventional choice for a commencement speaker? Share your thoughts and memes using #KermitAtUMD! Let's keep the hilarious discussions going about Kermit the Frog and the UMD commencement. What are your predictions for his speech? Discuss the UMD Commencement Speaker choice in the comments below!