Few characters are more recognizable than Jim Henson’s Kermit the Frog, and his origins trace back to Prince George’s County and the University of Maryland.

A graduate of Northwestern High School in Hyattsville, Maryland, Jim Henson cultivated his creativity in the puppetry club. He was able to further explore this creativity as a student at the University of Maryland. He entered the university as a studio arts major but ended up with a degree in home economics. At the time, it was the only major that offered classes in sewing and textiles, skills needed to construct his innovation in puppetry.

While in school, Henson got a job at a local NBC affiliate, WRC-TV, alongside Jane Nebel, a fellow UMD student and his future wife. They produced a nightly segment, which led to the creation of Sam and Friends. The show was a three-to five-minute puppet show featuring ancestors of the Muppets and included a prototype of Henson’s most famous character, Kermit. He made his first version of Kermit from a halved table tennis ball for eyes and fabric from his mother’s old coat, with denim from a pair of jeans forming the sleeve for the puppeteer’s arm.

Decades later, Henson’s ties to the University of Maryland were celebrated in an unforgettable way when Kermit the Frog delivered the university’s commencement address in 2025. Speaking to graduates, Kermit shared messages about creativity, perseverance, and taking chances, themes that reflected both Henson’s legacy and the innovative spirit he cultivated during his years in Maryland.

“Life’s like a movie, write your own ending. Keep believing, keep pretending we’ve done just what we’ve set out to do. Thanks to the lovers, the dreamers, and you.” Finale: The Magic Store

Seventy years after Kermit’s creation, the character’s return to College Park highlighted the lasting connection between the university, Henson, and one of the world’s most recognizable puppets. In the hands of Jim Henson, a bit of felt, foam, and humor became the Muppets—characters that would capture hearts far beyond Prince George’s County.

Learn More: Innovate UMD – Henson Day

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