Commencement speeches are meant to inspire, motivate, and leave a lasting impact on new graduates as they embark on their journey into the “real world.” However, for the Class of 2024 at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, the commencement ceremony offered more than just words of wisdom – each graduate walked away with an unexpected $1,000 in their pockets.
Last week, Robert Hale Jr., the founder and CEO of Granite Telecommunications, delivered a speech to the graduating class, sharing a story of resilience and perseverance in the face of failure. Hale recounted a time when his business suffered a staggering $1 billion loss in a single day, emphasizing the importance of overcoming challenges and learning from setbacks.
“It’s okay to fail,” Hale reassured the graduates. “Life is full of challenges, and failure is just a part of the process. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it motivate you to strive for greatness.”
As he concluded his speech, Hale surprised the audience by announcing that he would be gifting each graduate $1,000 – with a twist.
“In these challenging times, it’s more important than ever to share, care, and give back,” Hale reminded the students. “Our community needs your generosity now more than ever.”
Each student received two envelopes containing $500 – one to keep for themselves and another to pass on to someone in need.
“As the ceremony reached its pinnacle, Hale revealed a final piece of advice for the graduates. He shared that the most rewarding moments in his life have come from giving back,” UMass Dartmouth stated in a press release. “With that sentiment in mind, he unveiled two large duffle bags filled with envelopes overflowing with cash.”
The Class of 2024 at UMass Dartmouth consisted of approximately 1,200 students, each of whom received a generous gift from Hale, whose net worth is estimated at $5.4 billion.