GREENSBORO, N.C. — Imagine having 100-thousand dollars in debt wiped away, and you didn't even know it was coming.
We spoke with one recent graduate going through that exact thing after a big announcement from a special commencement speaker.
"This is my class. 2019. My family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans," said Robert F. Smith at Morehouse College's graduation this past weekend.
"A lot of people were looking around like "is he serious? did he say what I think he said? Even the faculty and staff were looking around like what did he just say," said Kernersville Native Joseph Van Jones.
Jones was one of the Morehouse Men who graduated Sunday. Yes. That Morehouse graduation where the commencement speaker, billionaire Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off all the 2019 graduates' student loans.
"It feels like I'm in a dream and waiting for commencement to start. I'm ready to wake up so I can actually get prepared for commencement," said Jones.
Jones racked up $100,000 in student loan debt.
To have that weight lifted is a blessing, but he says he wouldn't be here period without a lot of others, so it's bigger than him.
"This is not just my blessing. This is for my community."
Jones said If he could say one thing to Mr. Smith it would be thank you, and if he could wrap out how he feels in one sentence it would be.
"I'm just immensely grateful. So grateful," said Jones.