During the recent commencement ceremony at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, billionaire Robert Hale surprised graduating students by giving each of them $1,000 in cash, as reported by CNN. A total of 2,500 graduates received envelopes containing the unexpected gift. However, there was a unique twist to this generous gesture: each student received two envelopes, one containing $500 as a personal gift, and the other with the remaining $500 to be donated to a person or organization in need.
Addressing the graduates during his commencement speech, Mr. Hale acknowledged the challenging times they had experienced and praised their resilience and success. He expressed the desire to share in their celebration and presented them with the two gifts. One envelope was labeled ‘Gift’ and was intended for their personal use, while the other was labeled ‘Give’ to emphasize the importance of giving back to others.
The announcement sparked an outburst of joy from the graduates, who applauded enthusiastically for approximately a minute as stacks of envelopes were brought out by the event staff. The surprise cash gift provided an uplifting and memorable moment for the graduating class.
Mr. Hale, who had previously performed similar acts of generosity, explained the motivation behind his actions. He highlighted the significance of the graduates’ potential to shape the future and encouraged them to embrace a life of giving and taking chances without fearing failure. The billionaire aims to inspire the recipients to live more fulfilling lives through acts of generosity and resilience.
This is not the first time Mr. Hale has surprised graduates with financial gifts. Last year, he presented $1,000 to each of the 150 graduates at Roxbury Community College in Boston. In addition, he bestowed a similar gift upon the graduating students of Quincy College in 2021.
As the president of Granite Communications, a communications services provider for businesses with multiple locations, based in Quincy, Massachusetts, Mr. Hale has amassed significant wealth, with Forbes estimating his net worth at $5 billion. He has demonstrated a philanthropic spirit, having donated over $280 million to cancer research, educational institutions, and various charities.
The unexpected cash gifts from Mr. Hale not only provided financial assistance to the University of Massachusetts, Boston graduates but also served as a reminder of the importance of giving back to society. The students were left with a memorable commencement experience that highlighted the potential for individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of others, even during challenging times.
