Ferrum Establishes Black Hats Football Endowment

Ferrum College has established a Black Hats Football Endowment to provide continual and lasting support for the Ferrum College football program. The endowment will complement the gifts the football program currently receives annually.

The creation of this endowment was made possible through the estate gift of Elizabeth A. “Betsy” Flanagan, who passed away in February 2021. Her gift was made in memory of her late-husband and former Ferrum football player, Harvey “Mike” Mitchell III ‘80. Flanagan began her career at Ferrum College, progressing from assistant director of admissions to executive assistant to the president within four years. She later spent fifteen years as Virginia Tech’s vice president for Development and University Relations.

“I have heard of Betsy Flanagan’s generosity of spirit for many years, and this gift confirms that although her time at Ferrum was brief, she exemplified our motto, ‘Not Self, But Others,’” said Vice President for Institutional Advancement Wilson Paine. “This is the next natural step in honoring the football program’s rich history of student success, on and off the field, since its inception in 1955. This endowment represents Ferrum College’s commitment to the long-term health of its football program.”

Supporters of the Ferrum College football program now have two ways to give: an annual gift and/or an endowment gift. An annual gift to the football program goes directly into the program’s account and is available immediately. An endowment gift is invested and only a certain percentage used each year. This policy enables the endowment to provide a recurring and lasting stream of funds for the football program.