MSU Homecoming is going to feature a lighter shade of green this year as Kermit the Frog leads the festivities.
Kermit is serving as the Grand Marshal of the Homecoming parade.
The primary role of the Grand Marshal is to serve as the honorary leader of the parade, but Kermit will also represent MSU at many of the other events happening during the weekend, said Bill Beekman, acting executive director of the MSU Alumni Association.
"This is really more than him being a part of the parade," Beekman said.
MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon said the idea of bringing Kermit to campus came from the MSU Alumni Association.
"Kermit has a special significance to children," Simon said. "He connects them to Michigan State."
The frog has a full schedule, including receiving the Honorary Alumni Award at the Grand Awards Ceremony, speaking at the Green and White Brunch and talking to the attendees of the football game over the scoreboard.
"We were trying to find someone who was family-friendly that would make the community come out and be exciting to the students," Beekman said. "We're trying to turn Homecoming into a fun, festive, community-university celebration."
Many of the weekend's activities are focused around Kermit, Simon said. He will be reading with school children to emphasize reading and education.
"This is really more than just the parade," Simon said. "There are two and a half days of Kermit being around the community."
MSU has the second oldest Public Broadcasting Station east of the Mississippi River, Beekman said. Kermit is a star on Sesame Street and promotes education, environmental journalism, a sustainable campus and recycling.
"The values of Kermit the Frog are the values of MSU," Beekman said. "It just seemed to be a neat fit from the perspective of someone who has consistency with the university's values."
Simon said the weekend should be a lot of fun, and she is looking forward to chatting with Kermit in pregame interviews about Forever Green.
"He is 50 years old and has been a part of my life for a long time," Simon said.
Blair Mathews, a telecommunication, information studies and media senior, said she did not know much about Kermit and doesn't see how people would understand why he is coming to MSU.
"I understand he would appeal to children and families," Mathews said. "I don't think he is a bad choice, but there could be a better one."
No-preference freshman Laurel Steele said she watched Kermit on "Muppet Babies" and supports his coming to MSU.
"He is definitely a good choice because he is green," Steele said.
"It is quite an accomplishment for him," history senior Evan Treharne said. "I'm glad MSU is so prestigious that Kermit is coming."
Fredricka Paul can be reached at paulfred@msu.edu.
