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When commencement speaker Robert Hale Jr. told �������� graduates he was giving each of them $500 to donate to an organization or person in need, Sam Smith, ’25, knew immediately where hers was going.

She made her donation before even leaving the Gillette Stadium field that day. Smith had volunteered for two semesters at ��������’s Children’s Physical Developmental Clinic, a free program that helps kids with disabilities improve their physical, motor, aquatic and social-emotional skills.

“It was the first thing I thought of as soon as Rob Hale said he wanted us to donate the money,” recalled Smith, a health science major who plans to become an occupational therapist because of her experience at the clinic. “CPDC is just such an amazing organization.”

CPDC Program Coordinator Nicole West, who worked as a staff volunteer at commencement, was honored to accept Smith’s donation.

“Samantha’s generous gift is a true reflection of how deeply our students believe in this program,” she said. “It’s a lasting reminder of her dedication and the impact we’ve made together.”

Hale, the founder and CEO of Granite Telecommunications, presented each graduate in attendance with $1,000 – $500 to keep and $500 to donate to a cause or person who needs it more than they do. And many of Bridgewater State’s newest alumni rose to the occasion.

Physical education major Sophia Fortin, ’25, attended elementary and middle school at All Saints Catholic School in New Bedford. The future teacher visited the school to personally make her donation in support of sports equipment and health education.

“Especially as undergrads, we don't get the opportunity to make many financial donations,” she said. “We don’t have an established career yet. It meant a lot because I was able to feel like I could make a difference in the community around me.”

Chigozie Adigwe, ’25, was also motivated by his childhood experiences. He split his donation between the track team at Lowell Community Charter Public School and Aaron’s Presents – two organizations that he said played a pivotal role in his growth.

Aaron’s Presents connects youth with community service activities and sends them to transformative experiences like summer camp. The organization used Adigwe’s donation to help two of its alumni – one who was injured in a car crash and a new mother who doesn’t have a lot of support or basic supplies.

“I wasn’t expecting to be able to give back,” Adigwe said. “I was able to pass this along to people who helped me when I was young. It was a full-circle moment.”

Do you have a �������� story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.