Keeping Tradition Alive: Carol Elliott’s Bequest Honoring Her Late Husband   

For Carol Elliott, Mississippi State University is more than an institution of higher learning—it is a central part of her family’s legacy. Through a bequest in her trust, she ensures that her late husband’s commitment to education and MSU’s mission will continue for generations. Her gift will sustain the John P. Elliott Family Endowed Scholarship in the College of Arts and Sciences, a fund she and her husband, Dr. John P. Elliott, established to help students pursue their dreams.   

Dr. John P. Elliott was a devoted Bulldog, a scholar and a leader in his field. A 1955 graduate of MSU, he served as president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity before pursuing medicine at Tulane University. After earning his medical degree, he interned at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, where he was named Intern of the Year. He then completed his residency in urology, serving for two years as chief resident.   

In 1957, he married Carol Richardson in New Orleans, beginning a lifelong partnership grounded in shared values of education and service. A patriotic American, John served in the U.S. Army National Guard and was federalized during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. Shortly thereafter, in 1964, he founded the first urology practice in Northeast Mississippi, ultimately leading a six-physician practice that served the region. Over the next 39 years, he dedicated himself to his medical career and to serving his community before retiring in 1997.   

Through his adventurous life and professional success, John remained deeply committed to MSU, believing in the transformative power of education.   

“John always remained faithful to MSU and felt it had prepared him well for medical school. He wanted anyone who wanted a good education to have that opportunity. He just always had an educated mind. That was one of the things he valued most,” Carol said.   

Although Carol did not attend MSU, she became a dedicated supporter of the university through her husband and children, all of whom are Bulldogs.   

“We’re a 100% Bulldog family. I followed my husband and found a school to yell for and be excited about,” she said.   

When the Elliotts began planning their estate, they knew they wanted to support MSU in a meaningful way. John’s vision was to create a scholarship that would provide long-term assistance to students who work hard and exhibit strong character.   

“When we set up our trust, we decided that giving to the university through a scholarship would have a lasting effect rather than a one-and-done gift. He always said that if his children or grandchildren wanted to further their education, no matter how old they were, he would support it,” Carol explained.   

The John P. Elliott Family Endowed Scholarship was established to assist students in the College of Arts and Sciences, particularly those who might not qualify for merit-based awards but still demonstrate a strong work ethic and determination.   

“There are a lot of scholarships for top academic performers and those with financial hardships, but there’s a middle group of hard-working students who don’t quite qualify for either. Those students are the ones we wanted to help,” Carol said.   

Although John passed away in 2020, Carol has continued to support the scholarship in his honor, encouraging their children to follow suit, which they have done through their own gifts to the fund over the years.  

“John would be very proud that his family continues to support the scholarship. He valued education so much and believed in sharing what you have, whether money or time,” she said.   

Carol’s bequest honors the great man her husband was and demonstrates their powerful belief in tomorrow’s leaders, scholars and innovators.   

“A scholarship like this gives students a starting point, a way to know that someone believes in their education and wants them to succeed. Hopefully, it will help them have successful lives and give them that start where they’re not struggling quite so much,” she said.   

Through her bequest, Carol Elliott honors her husband’s memory while actively shaping the future of Mississippi State University. Her gift ensures that hardworking students, often overlooked by traditional scholarships, can confidently pursue their education. By extending the values that she and John cherished, she empowers the next generation to lead meaningful lives, just as her family did.