At the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth’s commencement on May 16, the class of 2024 experienced an unexpected and thoughtful surprise: a $1,000 cash gift from billionaire Robert Hale Jr., the founder and CEO of Granite Telecommunications. However, the generous offer came with two important conditions.
Conditions for Receiving the Cash Gift
To receive the full $1,000, graduates had to attend the ceremony in person. Additionally, they were required to donate half of the cash to a charitable cause of their choice. Unfortunately, 20% of the 1,200 graduates missed the ceremony and thus forfeited the opportunity. The unclaimed funds, totaling $240,000, were redirected into a scholarship fund in Hale’s name, bringing the total contribution to $1.2 million.
Robert Hale’s Message to Graduates
Hale emphasized the significance of showing up to the ceremony, sharing, “The message I want to be delivered for those who don’t attend by choice is, ‘Hey, this is a celebration of four years of hard work, and you’ve got to show up.’” This statement underscores the value of persistence and collective achievement.
Philanthropy with a Purpose
At the ceremony, each graduate received two envelopes: one with $500 for personal use and another, labeled “give,” containing the remaining $500 to be donated. Hale explained, “We wanted to give [the graduates] a real gift to celebrate their perseverance, but also [encourage] giving to an organization or person who could use it to create that seed of philanthropy.”
A Tradition of Generosity
This isn’t the first time Hale has used this dual-gift concept. He first implemented it four years ago during a commencement at Quincy College as a response to the challenges posed by COVID-19. Since then, he has expanded the initiative to include graduates of Roxbury Community College and UMass Dartmouth. Over time, recipients have donated to a range of causes, including local animal shelters and educational institutions. One notable recipient, a single mother of five, shared her “give” envelope funds by gifting $100 to each of her children.
Looking Ahead: More Surprises in Store
Hale’s philanthropic efforts aren’t stopping here. He has expressed plans to surprise another school with a similar initiative soon. As of October 2023, Forbes estimates Hale’s net worth at $5.8 billion, solidifying his position as a major figure in both philanthropy and innovation.
