University of Massachusetts Dartmouth commencement speaker Robert Hale Jr. gave the 2024 class $1,000 each.

Hale is the founder of Granite Telecommunications and co-owner of the Boston Celtics. He was the final speaker at the graduation ceremony Thursday, amid rainy conditions. In his speech, Hale shared his financial hardships, including bankrupting his company to the tune of $1 billion, which at one point resulted in death threats to his family. Still, the businessman encouraged the students to persevere and be charitable just before he gave the cash gift.