- UMass Grads Surprised When Multimillionaire Speaker Gave Them $1,000 Each
- Robert Hale Jr., worth $5 billion, said $500 would be kept while $500 would go to charity.
- Hale distributed a total of $1.2 million to the assembled 1,200 graduates.
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates received an unexpected surprise from their multimillion-dollar commencement speaker.
Robert Hale, Jr. is the founder of Granite Telecommunications based in Quincy, near Boston.
In addition to their degrees, each graduate who walked across the stage received two envelopes totaling $1,000.
UMass graduates were surprised when billionaire speaker Robert Hale, Jr. gave them $1,000 each, but on one condition.
Students were surprised when Hale distributed a total of $1.2 million to the 1,200 assembled graduates.
One contained $500 “to keep as a gift,” while the second envelope had a closure.
Hale, who is worth about $5.4 billion, stipulated that the second stash of cash be given to “someone in need or a charity or a cause close to them.”
Just as the degree presentation was about to begin, Hale stepped forward and told the assembled graduates that he had some advice for them.
Robert Hale Jr., who is worth $5 billion, said he would keep $500 while the other $500 would go to charity.
The unexpected gift was a ray of sunshine, a ceremony that saw those gathered drenched.
He said that one of ‘the greatest joys we have had in our lives has been the gift of giving…
“These difficult times have heightened the need to share, care and give,” Hale said. “Our community needs you and your generosity more than ever.”
Hale explained how two large duffel bags that security brought onto the stage were full of money.
Hale gave away $1.2 million in total and the 1,200 graduates each received the gift of $1,000.
Parents watching the ceremony seemed to approve of Hale’s gift.
The graduates of the class of 2024 couldn’t believe their luck at this unexpected stroke of luck.
Hale’s commencement speech also seemed to go down well with the faculty
Despite being a billionaire, Hale explained that during his life money came and went.
The co-owner of the Boston Celtics basketball team told the crowd about his career, including how he lost a billion dollars almost overnight.
He urged the Class of 2024 not to let failure define them, citing his own life as an example of resilience and perseverance.