OAN’s Avril Elfie
9:35am – Saturday, May 18, 2024
A commencement speaker at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth surprised students with $1,000 in cash with one condition.
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Robert Hale, founder of Granite Telecommunications, told students that every graduate who crossed the stage Thursday “will receive one $500 envelope to keep as a gift.” The second $500 envelope is to be given to “a person in need or a close charity or cause,” the university said.
“These difficult times have heightened the need for sharing, caring and giving,” Hale said. “Our community needs you and your generosity now more than ever.”
According to reports, 1,200 graduates received gifts of $1,000.
The university said Hale spoke to students about his professional experiences, including losing $1 billion almost overnight.
Hale cited his own life as an example of resilience and perseverance and “urged students not to let failure define them,” the school said.
“As the commencement ceremony was about to begin, Hale came forward and had one more piece of advice for the graduates. He told the eager crowd that for him and his wife, Karen, “we “The greatest joy in my life has been the gift of giving,” added the Massachusetts Dartmouth campus. “Hale informed the Class of 2024 that he was carried onto the stage by security in two large duffles and that his bag was stuffed with envelopes filled with cash.”
This is not the first time Hale has given cash gifts to graduates. Last year, he gave $1,000 to all 2,523 Massachusetts Boston graduates, and in 2021 he will match the same amount to 230 Quincy University graduates.
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