At Bridgewater State University's commencement ceremony, something unexpected happened that went beyond the usual pomp and circumstance of a graduation event. Robert Hale Jr., billionaire and commencement speaker, took the stage at Gillette Stadium giving over 1,400 students not just words of wisdom, but a substantial monetary gesture. Each graduate received an envelope with $500 in cash and an additional $500 to pass on to someone else in need.
"One is for you," Hale said to the graduates, carrying out a gesture that seemed born of a tradition he appears to be fond of sparking. This wasn’t a first-time act of Hale’s largesse, as he has done similar gestures at previous graduations across Massachusetts. Carrying two envelopes, the second being for "someone in need," the graduates were both beneficiaries and messengers of Hale's philanthropy, as reported by Boston.com.
According to MassLive, Hale is the founder and CEO of Granite Telecommunications and also holds ownership in the Boston Celtics. Beyond contributing over $400 million to various causes such as cancer research, education, and community initiatives, Hale's net worth is estimated by Forbes to be at $5.8 billion. His act of giving at Bridgewater State University was an echo of his commitment to service and generosity seen in years past at institutions like UMass Dartmouth, UMass Boston, Roxbury Community College, and Quincy College.
Students were moved by the experience, with graduating senior Raegan Taylor expressing profound pride in her alma mater. "It really just represents how kind-hearted BSU is and how they’re continually committed to giving back to their students and rewarding us for all the hard efforts that we put into our degree and it makes me really proud to be a bear," Taylor told MassLive.
For the faculty and leadership at BSU, the gesture was resonant with the values they hope to instill in their graduates. "Rob’s gift embodies the spirit of service and leadership we strive to instill in our students," Fred Clark, president of Bridgewater State University, stated enthusiastically in comments to Boston.com.
Hale's philanthropic act holds symbolism and pedagogy in the very action of giving—reinforcing a culture of generosity and civic responsibility among the freshly minted graduates. This moment served not just to celebrate their academic achievements but to encourage a continuation of generosity in their next endeavors. Ending his address with the school's mascot in mind, Hale reminded the audience, "Every day is a great day to be a Bear," as per Boston.com.
