---
title: Kermit Comes Home
date: 2025-01-15T09:58:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://terp.umd.edu/kermit-comes-home"
section: Articles
---
# Kermit Comes Home

*January 15, 2025* — by [Sala Levin ’10](/authors/sala-levin-10)


- *Photo by Riley N. Sims*

*Kermit sits with statue of himself and Jim Henson on UMD campus*

It might not be easy being green, but for one September evening at The Clarice, Kermit the Frog sure made it look fun.

The lovable Muppet and his puppeteer, Matt Vogel, chatted with College of Arts and Humanities Dean Stephanie Shonekan about individuality, Miss Piggy and what he learned from Jim Henson ’60.

The event honored the history between UMD and the Muppets’ creator and his wife/collaborator Jane Henson ’55. He was a home economics major when he created the frog out of his mother’s coat and a halved ping-pong ball.

UMD President Darryll J. Pines asked Kermit to say, “I’m Kermit the Frog, and I have Maryland pride.” Kermit happily obliged, then asked, “Is it contagious?”

For more, see [go.umd.edu/kermitvisit](https://today.umd.edu/in-umd-visit-kermit-makes-a-rainbow-connection-with-terps).




**Issue:** [Winter 2025](https://terp.umd.edu/editions/winter-2025)


**Types:** [Parting Shot](https://terp.umd.edu/category/parting-shot)