How to Honor a Lifelong Friend
David Carroll, North Carolina Philanthropist and FFTC Fundholder
David Carroll Launched the Milton E. Hagans Fund, Named After His Friend, to Aid HBCU Students
David Carroll has known his friend Milton Hagans since seventh grade. The two played football together growing up in Rocky Mount, N.C. Although college led them down different paths, David and Milton kept tabs on each other over the years, occasionally crossing paths at high school reunions or through mutual friends. It was their reconnection later in life that led David to approach Foundation For The Carolinas about starting the Milton E. Hagans Scholarship Fund for students attending Elizabeth City State University. “When Milton and I caught up later in life after graduating, I knew that we’d all be a lot better off if we had more people like him,” said David, “and I wanted to do something to honor him.”
Education Makes an Impact
Milton was one of eight students from Northern Nashville High School to attend Elizabeth City State University — a public HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) in Elizabeth City. “Nobody that I went to high school with was economically advantaged,” David said as he reflected on the community where he and Milton grew up. It was a place where few families had significant financial means, and most people shared a similar economic standing, encouraging a spirit of community and shared identity. “We had some very influential coaches in high school, who were also teachers, that really had a profound impact on kids that did not have the means to see or expand their horizons,” David said.
David Carrol with his wife of 45 years and their two sons, who also graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, alongside his grandchildren.
“Milton was motivated by them and wanted to become a teacher to continue to influence students.” After graduating from ECSU, Milton pursued his dream of becoming a middle school teacher in Lynchburg, Va., for more than 30 years. He later joined the U.S. Army Reserve and rose to Command Sergeant Major (E-9) — the highest enlisted noncommissioned officer. Out of 900,000 people, only 13 are selected to serve this rank. “Milton is very modest but just a cool guy with an infectiously positive attitude,” said David, who himself graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and later pursued a 38-year career in investment banking before retiring. His wife of 45 years and their two sons, who also graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, have always been actively involved in paying it forward to the community. “Over the years, life’s been pretty good to my family, and we’ve always endeavored to be involved in the communities that we’ve lived in,” David said. “Most of our philanthropy has been education related either at UNC or local schools where we lived.”
Reconnection Leads to Honor
“I cannot thank enough my teammate, my classmate and – most importantly – my friend, David Carroll, for all that he has done for me and the next ECSU Viking. ‘The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you are not willing to make the turn.’” – Milton Hagans
Before returning to his first football game at Northern Nashville High School since 1975, Carroll teed off for a round of golf to catch up with some of his high school classmates, including Milton. “He’s a husband, father, teacher, coach, soldier and, if you watch Division I college football, you’ve probably seen him on the field refereeing,” said David. “He’s just a guy that touches everybody, everywhere he goes and never carries his ego.” Seeing Milton again on the golf course sparked something in David, a realization that people like Milton, who humbly dedicate their lives to the service of others, are the true unsung heroes. David wanted to honor Milton — not just as a friend, but also as a representative of the values they both held dear: dedication, humility and a commitment to education.
“Over the last couple of years, I decided I wanted to do something more, closely related to doing something for somebody else on an individual level,” said David as the idea of the Milton E. Hagans Scholarship Fund began to take shape. The scholarship fund offers a unique opportunity for graduates of high schools in Nash County, North Carolina, to attend ECSU without the burden of financial stress. This scholarship covers full in-state tuition, fees, medical expenses, sports fees, books, on-campus room and board for up to four years. By doing so, it ensures that talented and deserving students can focus on their studies, personal growth and career aspirations for future generations. The first recipients will be selected in spring 2025. “I am so honored for the scholarship and I’m looking forward to the first student being able to attend ECSU and receive a great education as I did,” Milton said.
“Working with David to create this scholarship fund has been an enjoyable and fulfilling process,” said Qiana Austin, FFTC’s Vice President and Director, Scholarships. “His generosity and dedication in honoring his friend truly demonstrates his commitment to preserving Mr. Hagans’ legacy and supporting deserving Nash County students.”
Thanks to the generosity of our fundholders, more than 150 scholarship funds provide support for students from kindergarten to graduate school to help deserving students pursue their educational goals. Learn more about expanding opportunities to deserving students across our region: fftc.org/scholarships
