STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP, Oct. 5, 2016) — A deceased couple's estate has gifted Mississippi State University $7.2 million to endow scholarships for veterinary students.

MSU announced the gift from the estate of the late Charles and Viola Bardsley Wednesday. It nearly doubles the veterinary college's overall endowment.

Melissa Montgomery of MSU's College of Veterinary Medicine says students will apply for money each year based on academics and area of study. Montgomery says MSU expects to award about $280,000 in scholarships yearly.

"Dr. and Mrs. Bardsley loved small animals, namely dogs, and they...