Muppets creator Jim Henson graduated from Maryland in 1960. A home economics major, he fashioned the original frog puppet from one of his mother’s coats and a ping-pong ball cut in half, according to a statement from the university. Henson died in 1990.

As the University of Maryland’s graduating class prepares to leap into the next stage of life, Kermit the Frog left the students with a message of connection and love.

Kermit the Frog delivered the commencement speech at the University of Maryland. The iconic green frog, and the rest of the Muppets, were created by Jim Henson, who graduated from UMD in 1960.