Kermitted to the Environment
The 1996 Commencement

Commencement Archive

Kermit's Commencement Speech
Kermit's Citation
Chancellor Sillerman's Speech
Scenes from the Commencement

onning a diminutive cap and gown, Kermit the Frog delivered the main address for the 30th annual Commencement Exercises at Southampton Graduate Campus on May 19. The web-footed celebrity received his first degree, the Doctorate of Amphibious Letters, which recognized his contribution to raising environmental awareness.

"On behalf of frogs, pigs, fish, bears and all the other species who are lower than you on the food chain," said Kermit, "thank you for dedicating your lives to saving our world and our home." Renowned for his Emmy-winning work on public TV, the amphibian and his Sesame Street friends have helped educate a generation of children, including millions of inner-city kids.

Three others earned honorary degrees John A. Gambling, who for 32 years hosted the New York morning radio show Rambling With Gambling, received the Doctorate of Humane Letters. Marijane Meaker (pen name M.E. Kerr) is acclaimed as "The master of the young adult novel." The author of 50 books earned the Doctorate of Humane Letters. Robert K. Merton, America's eminent sociologist, received the Doctorate of Humane Letters. Originator of "the self-fulfilling prophecy," he has been honored with the National Medal of Science from President Bill Clinton.

Kermit delivered his address to 245 graduates during the outdoor ceremonies at a specially-made podium overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Southampton Graduate Campus is renowned for its Marine and Environmental Sciences Programs which have produced 20 Fulbright Scholars in the past 20 years.

The senior class, most of whom wore bright green "Kermit '96" stickers on their graduation caps, gave the famous green amphibian a rousing welcome. College Chancellor Robert F.X. Sillerman reminded students that Kermit's degree was appropriately bestowed during "leap year." "For 40 years you have taught by giggles the serious importance of environmental issues and shown us a 'greenprint' for humanity," said Sillerman, reading from Kermit's citation. "A global movement now wears your colors proudly. "Kermit's theme song, "It's Not Easy Bein' Green," has become a rallying cry of the environmental movement.

Winner of the Distinguished Alumnus Award was Greg Galdi of Cold Spring Harbor, a 1976 graduate who owns Long Island's largest independent computer systems company.

"You were so lucky to have Kermit and his friends as your first teacher," said Sillerman in his address to the graduates. "How fortunate to grapple with new ideas, like numbers and letters and friendship and sharing, without fear of failure. How powerful to learn while being entertained. If it were somehow possible to maintain that sense of wonder and openness, all else would be easy... "Though there is a fine and inscrutable line between reality and fantasy, there are times to ignore the line and let the two worlds blend. What is finer about being human than the capacity for imagination? ...And what is more real than the lesson that our journey is meaningless unless we take care of this fragile earth home of ours? What is more important than knowing we must have the fearless ability and conviction to continue to be green no matter hard it is."

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Kermit's Citation at the 1996 Southampton Graduate Campus Commencement Doctor of Amphibious Letters Although a very small frog in a very big pond, for forty years you have taught by giggles the serious importance of environmental issues and shown us a "greenprint" for humanity. "It's not easy bein' green," as we have all discovered, but a global movement now wears your color proudly. From monarchs to toddlers, you have brought joy and laughter into a world that desperately needs both. How appropriate to bestow this honor during "leap year".