QUINCY, Mass. — Graduates of a Massachusetts college are starting off on the right foot thanks to a generous gift from their commencement speaker.
At Quincy College’s ceremony on Friday, businessman Robert Hale announced that he would give $1,000 to each graduate, but he had one condition. He asked them to donate half of the money to a good cause.
“We're going to give you each $1,000 cash right now,” said the CEO of Granite Telecommunications during his speech.
The money was a welcomed surprise for the nearly 250 graduates after a year with so many uncertainties and twists.
“You have persevered in the pandemic. You haven't had a chance to celebrate the last 14 months as much as you should,” the CEO of Granite Telecommunications told the graduates. “So, we want to give you a gift today.”
The students received two envelopes decorated by local school children, one with $500 to keep for themselves and another with $500 to give away, WCVB reports.
The graduates received two envelopes. One as a gift, the other to give. The envelopes were decorated by local school children. pic.twitter.com/Qz2Jcs84fi
— Sera Congi (@seracongi) May 21, 2021
The money will also help those who have struggled to make ends meet.
“I had to pay a lot of money for school this year and I couldn't really afford it, so this money really help me a lot,” graduate Annina Ibrahim told WCVB.
Hale said he hopes the gift will inspire the students to continue giving throughout their lives.
“We have experienced great joy in giving. I hope they experience that joy and I hope they continue to do that for the rest of their lives,” said Hale.
