College graduates have at times been seen as greedy or self-centered in their ambitions after leaving school. Everyone is out to make their mark in the world with many pursuing high-paying jobs without taking a look around at the struggles of others.

That sentiment was challenged this week when the commencement speaker at a highly-rated university gave graduates a choice about how to do some good in the world. His challenge was a shocking revelation to all who witnessed his gift and the catch that came with it.

The founder of a Massachusetts telecommunications company delivered a gift that no graduate expected during the commencement at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He set the stage for graduates to make a choice about helping themselves and others.

From Fox News:
Robert Hale, Jr., the founder of Quincy-based Granite Telecommunications, told students that “each graduate who crossed the stage” on Thursday “would receive one $500 envelope to keep as a gift” while the second $500 envelope is intended to be given to “someone in need or a charity or cause close to them,” the university said.

“These trying times have heightened the need for sharing, caring, and giving,” Hale said. “Our community needs you and your generosity more than ever.”

The unexpected gift was confirmed by a UMass Dartmouth spokesperson who said that 1,200 graduates received the $1,000 gifts. Half of that $1.2 million gift could mean something special for people in need if the graduates follow through with Hale’s challenge.

Hale is someone these graduates might want to listen to when comes to striving for success in the real world. Hale is also part of the Boston Celtics ownership group and he has an estimated net worth of $5.4 billion, according to Forbes.

The successful businessman told graduates and attendees about losing $1 billion nearly overnight, according to a university press release. He then urged them not to let failure define them, using his own life as an example of “resilience and perseverance.”

Graduates were stunned after Hale had a security team bring onstage two large duffle bags packed with the envelopes full of cash. His advice to graduates included relaying how he and his wife, Karen, had experienced the “greatest joys we’ve had in our life” through the gift of giving.

Hopefully the graduates will take to heart what Hale said and use the cash gifts as he intended. If so, these graduates could begin a life-long standard of helping others as they help themselves which would positively impact their world and the country as a whole.

Key Takeaways:

• UMass Dartmouth graduates were stunned by a $1,000 gift from their commencement speaker.
• Telecommunications founder Robert Hale, Jr. surprised graduates, but the cash came with a catch.
• He asked that they use half for themselves and the other half as a gift for someone in need.

Source: Fox Business