diff --git a/app/models/hat.rb b/app/models/hat.rb
index fc4f7bf..bbdc9bc 100644
--- a/app/models/hat.rb
+++ b/app/models/hat.rb
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ class Hat < ActiveRecord::Base
     h = "<span class=\"hat\" title=\"Granted by " <<
       "#{self.granted_by_user.username} on " <<
       "#{self.created_at.strftime("%Y-%m-%d")}"
-    
+
     if !hl && self.link.present?
       h << " - #{self.link}"
     end
diff --git a/app/models/user.rb b/app/models/user.rb
index 0e3b3ec..5e58fdd 100644
--- a/app/models/user.rb
+++ b/app/models/user.rb
@@ -209,6 +209,27 @@ class User < ActiveRecord::Base
     end
   end
 
+  def grant_moderatorship_by_user!(user)
+    User.transaction do
+      self.is_moderator = true
+      self.save!
+
+      m = Moderation.new
+      m.moderator_user_id = user.id
+      m.user_id = self.id
+      m.action = "Granted moderator status"
+      m.save!
+
+      h = Hat.new
+      h.user_id = self.id
+      h.granted_by_user_id = user.id
+      h.hat = "Sysop"
+      h.save!
+    end
+
+    true
+  end
+
   def initiate_password_reset_for_ip(ip)
     self.password_reset_token = "#{Time.now.to_i}-#{Utils.random_str(30)}"
     self.save!