University of Maryland celebrates Jim Henson legacy

The University of Maryland community held ‘Henson Mania’ at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center to celebrate the creative legacy of alumnus Jim Henson. The event was part of Henson Week, a week-long series of activities honoring the filmmaker and puppeteer, known for ‘The Muppets’, ‘Sesame Street’, ‘The Dark Crystal’, and ‘Labyrinth’.

Hosted by the Student Alumni Leadership Council and Student Entertainment Events, the celebration included interactive activities such as making Henson-themed tie-dye t-shirts and participating in guided drawing classes. The event also showcased student projects from the New Works Incubator, a summer program for immersive media majors, which featured works such as mystery video games.

Organizers noted that while a memorial statue of Henson exists on campus, the event aimed to provide a more meaningful way for students to connect with his influence and history at the university.