The buzz surrounding billionaire businessman Robert F. Smith paying off the student debt for Morehouse’s 2019 graduating class can still be heard.
Smith made the announcement on Sunday at the school’s commencement ceremony, where he was the keynote speaker. He was also given an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.
“Just imagine the weight lifted off your shoulders when you have a clean slate coming out of college,” one of the Morehouse graduates told CBS News. “It’s just an overwhelming feeling in a good way. I’m so motivated to go change the world.”
A few celebrities responded to the generous gift as well, people like Sean “Diddy” Combs and Outkast‘s Big Boi.
“My brother @robertfredericksmith showed UP and showed OUT!!!!!!!!” Combs wrote on Instagram.
Big Boi, meanwhile posted a photo of Smith on his Instagram page.
Others on social media had something to say about the debt being wiped out, and many couldn’t believe it.
But at the same time, there were some people who responded to a post that Oprah Winfrey shared after she attended the commencement ceremony for Colorado College, where she gave the commencement speech this past Sunday in Colorado Springs.
“I don’t know who this guy is but he sure is happy to graduate!” she wrote. “I shook hands with all 571 members of @coloradocollege’s Class of 2019 and gave them a copy of The Path Made Clear.”
“Should have paid off their student debt @oprah lol @morehouse1867,” one person wrote on Instagram.
Winfrey then shot back and let that person know that’s she’s already given a lot of money toward education and Morehouse students specifically.
“I already paid 13m in scholarships. Have put over 400 men thru @morehouse1867,” she wrote.
Others defended the media giant and said no one should be criticizing her when it comes to helping others.
“We are thankful for everything that you do Oprah. Don’t let the negativity try to put limits on everything that you do!!” someone wrote.
“You go Oprah…how dare people,” another person commented.
