Call Center Company in Quincy, MA

You might expect a commencement speaker to try giving graduates pearls of wisdom. This one brought cash.

Telecom CEO Robert T. Hale Jr. surprised more than 1,400 Bridgewater State University undergraduates with envelopes of $1,000 cash at the Friday, May 16 commencement ceremony at Gillette Stadium.

"This represents how kind-hearted BSU is and how they're continually committed to giving back to their students," said accounting and finance major Reagan Taylor in a video produced by the university, "and rewarding us for the hard efforts we've put in to our degree and it makes me really proud to be a Bear."

A previous scene shows her opening her envelopes with friends and flashing her cash to the camera.

Hale, founder and CEO of Granite Telecommunications, gave each graduate two envelopes with $500 in each.

"The first $500 is for you, to celebrate your accomplishments," Hale told the graduates. "The second envelope says ‘give’ on it. Give that $500 to somebody or another organization who could use it more than you. Share in the joy of giving."

“Rob’s gift embodies the spirit of service and leadership we strive to instill in our students,” Fred Clark, president of Bridgewater State University, said in a statement released by the Bridgewater school. “His example inspires our graduates to lead with compassion and purpose.”

Who is Quincy billionaire Rob Hale?

BSU said that since Hale founded Quincy-based Granite Telecommunications in 2002, he has given away more than $400 million to cancer research, education, and community causes. His fortune has earned him a spot on Forbes' list of the world's richest people.

The university emphasized its role in preparing students for careers in science and technology, saying it educates the most teachers and STEM teachers of any university in Massachusetts. The school also highlighted a new way it plans to make education affordable: Starting in fall 2025, The Bridgewater Commitment will cover the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduates from families earning $125,000 or less.

Send your news tips to reporter Chris Helms by email at [email protected] or connect on X at @HelmsNews.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Pets

A Moment of Paws

Mike DeFina, Community Contributor

By Dr. Edward Schettino

It’s that time of year – we’re starting to get outdoors more and looking ahead to summer. But as the temperatures get warmer, both you and your pets are at a higher risk of being exposed to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports the majority of tick-borne disease occurs between June and August, but prevention should be top of mind for your pet year-round.

Ticks can be found anywhere, from the dog park to your backyard, but wooded areas and tall grasses present the most risk.

If your pet has been bitten by a tick, it needs to be removed immediately! Using tweezers, grasp the tick as close to your dog’s skin as possible. Remove the tick in a slow, steady, and straight motion – don’t jerk or twist as anything left behind could cause an infection. Treat the bite wound with antiseptic and monitor the site over the next few days for infection.

Find out what's happening in Quincyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Some signs your dog has been infected by a tick-borne disease include fever, loss of appetite, acute lameness, and swelling in the joints, among others. A blood test will determine if Lyme disease or another tick-borne disease is present, and if it is positive and caught early, a course of antibiotics usually provides effective treatment.

However, given that tick-borne diseases can trigger recurring health issues, it is vital to follow recommendations for ongoing follow-up care after diagnosis and treatment.

With ticks seemingly everywhere outdoors, consider the following to help protect your pet:

Despite the forecast for another above-average tick season, it’s simply a matter of being aware and being vigilant to protect both yourself and your pet.

Dr. Edward Schettino is the President and CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Boston, and has a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Quincy

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

The Boston Business Journal's annual ranking showcases the Massachusetts companies that excel in exceptional work environments.

Colleen Cimini, Community Contributor

MountainOne is pleased to announce that it has been named a 2025 Best Places to Work by the Boston Business Journal.

The Boston Business Journal’s annual ranking showcases the Massachusetts companies that excel in fostering and sustaining exceptional work environments for their employees. The 100 companies honored in 2025 range in size and industry, with winners from various sectors, including financial, technology, retail, and health care.

“At MountainOne, we believe that a strong, supportive workplace culture is the foundation for success – not just for our employees, but for the communities we serve,” said Beth Petropulos, Senior Vice President, Senior Human Resources & SAFE Act Officer at MountainOne. “We are honored by this recognition from the Boston Business Journal and will continue to foster an environment where every employee feels valued, empowered, and inspired to grow.”

"The companies that comprise this year’s Best Places to Work are among the most diverse in the decades we’ve been doing this program,” said Carolyn Jones, Market President and Publisher of the Boston Business Journal. “Their commitment to teamwork, employee engagement, flexibility and trust are the model to which the region’s businesses look for inspiration.”

The businesses that met criteria for office location and size participated in employee-engagement surveys distributed by Business Journal partner Quantum Workplace. Employees were asked to rate their work environment, work-life balance, job satisfaction, advancement opportunities, management, compensation, and benefits. Based on the results of those surveys, businesses were assigned a score out of 100 percent and ranked by Quantum.

Find out what's happening in Quincyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Best Places to Work celebration will be held on June 12th at The Westin Copley Place. A special publication honoring the Top Places to Work winners will appear in the June 13th weekly edition of the Boston Business Journal.

About MountainOne

MountainOne is a mutual holding company headquartered in North Adams, MA. Founded in 1848, MountainOne Bank provides a complete array of personal and business banking and electronic services. MountainOne Bank is Member FDIC and Member DIF. Products and services are offered at full-service offices in the Berkshires (Pittsfield, North Adams, Williamstown) and on Boston’s South Shore (Quincy, Rockland, Scituate).

The financial advisors of MountainOne Investments offer securities and advisory services through Commonwealth Financial Network®, member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services offered through CES Insurance Agency or MountainOne Investments. MountainOne Bank is not a registered broker-dealer or Registered Investment Adviser. MountainOne Bank and MountainOne Insurance are not affiliated with Commonwealth.

Insurance and Investments are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Funds are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal investment.

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Quincy