Billionaire surprises UMass Boston grads with $1,000 every at graduation — in money

Native

“For us the best joys we have had in our life has been the reward of giving, so every of you is getting $1,000.”

The two,500 college students making up the College of Massachusetts Boston graduating class of 2023 walked away from their graduation with greater than only a diploma on Thursday.

Every pupil, courtesy of a shock donation from Quincy-based billionaire Rob Hale, additionally obtained $1,000.

As graduates walked throughout the stage on the college’s Campus Heart Garden, they have been handed two envelopes — every containing $500 — with the concept they may maintain one and provides the opposite to charity, as they noticed match.

Hale’s announcement shocked college students, who erupted into cheers and applause as soon as he made the announcement.

“For us the best joys we’ve had in our life has been the reward of giving, so every of you is getting $1,000 money,” Hale mentioned to the graduates.

Hale equally shocked 2021 Quincy Faculty graduates, and the billionaire and his spouse, Karen Hale, donated $30 million to Connecticut Faculty, his alma mater, in 2021.

Hale, co-founder and president of the Quincy-based Granite Telecommunications, was joined by Senator Elizabeth Warren to talk on the college’s fifty fifth graduation ceremonies. Each audio system additionally obtained honorary medals from the chancellor.

“I’ve a single piece of recommendation: select hope,” Warren mentioned. “That’s a little bit more durable than it sounds proper now. After, all of you might be graduating right into a world that’s crammed with anger, strife, and grief.”

Warren mentioned the difficulties introduced upon the category of 2023 by the COVID-19 pandemic, a endless cycle of mass shootings, and assaults plaguing marginalized communities.

“Certainly, you face extra challenges than every other graduating class in historical past. And but, I’m right here right now to counsel: select hope,” she added. “The truth is, I’m right here right now to inform you, I select hope. That the truth is, I’m hopeful.”