Video captures grads' reaction when billionaire commencement speaker gifts them $1,000 each

Graduates at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth were shocked earlier this month when one of their commencement speakers gave them more than a speech.

Granite Telecommunications founder and CEO Robert Hale Jr. attended the ceremony to receive the Chancellor's Medal for his philanthropic work for local charities.

Worth an estimated $5.4 billion, Hale took the opportunity to share not only his advice to the grads, but what he called the "gift of giving," as well.

"We want to give you two gifts. The first is our gift to you, the second is the gift of giving," Hale told the graduating class during the climax of his speech, which was caught on film. Pointing off stage, he continued, "There are 3,000 customized and full envelopes in that truck over there, see that truck over there."

"Each of you is getting $1,000 cash right now," he announced, prompting uproarious applause from the crowd. Close-up shots of students' faces saw mouths hanging agape and attendees jumping out of their chairs excitedly.

Graduation gift: A billionaire gave college grads $1000 each at commencement - but they can only keep half

"There's a stipulation," he continued. "The first $500 is our gift to you, the second $500 is for you to give to somebody else or another organization that could use it more than you."

Hale has precedence for such charity himself, having donated at least $270 million to charitable causes, per Forbes, and hosting the annual “Saving by Shaving” fundraiser to secure millions in funds for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

He previously awarded money to another graduating class back in 2021, when he gave Quincy College graduates the same gift with the same giving stipulations.

"Our community and our world need our help now more than ever, Hale told the Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates. ”The greatest joys we've had in our life have been the gift of giving."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Robert Hale Jr. gives $1,000 to UMass Dartmouth grads: Watch video