Birmingham–Southern College

Coordinates: 33°30′54″N 86°51′11″W / 33.515°N 86.853°W / 33.515; -86.853
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Birmingham–Southern College
Former names
Southern University (1856–1918)
Birmingham College (1898–1918)
MottoPro Christo et Republica (Latin)
TypePrivate liberal arts college
Established1856; 168 years ago (1856) (predecessor)
May 30, 1918; 105 years ago (1918-05-30) (current institution)
PresidentDaniel B. Coleman
Undergraduates975[1]
Location, ,
United States
CampusUrban
ColorsBlack and Gold
   
NicknamePanthers
AffiliationsSAA (NCAA Division III)
MascotRowdy
Websitewww.bsc.edu

Birmingham–Southern College (BSC) is a private liberal arts college in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded in 1856, the college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The college's student body is approximately 1300 students.[2] The college will close at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, after years of financial trouble.[3]

History[edit]

Ginkgo Tree by Munger Hall

Birmingham–Southern College is the result of a merger of Southern University, founded in Greensboro, Alabama, in 1856, with Birmingham College, opened in 1898 in Birmingham, Alabama. These two institutions were consolidated on May 30, 1918, under the name of Birmingham–Southern College. Phi Beta Kappa recognized Birmingham–Southern in 1937, establishing the Alabama Beta chapter.[4]

In the 21st century, the school suffered from financial troubles, due to errors in accounting and dwindling enrollment. Although the school explored many avenues to keep the school open, including seeking assistance from the Alabama legislature, the school's board of trustees voted to close the college in May 2024.[5]

Academics[edit]

The college currently offers five bachelor's degrees in more than 50 programs of study, as well as interdisciplinary and individualized majors and dual degree programs.

Campus[edit]

Bill Battle Coliseum, the home court of Birmingham-Southern women's volleyball team, and the women's and men's basketball teams.

The campus is situated on 192 wooded acres three miles west of downtown Birmingham. The college has 45 academic, residential, administrative, and athletics buildings/facilities.

Urban Environmental Park

Athletics[edit]

The Birmingham–Southern athletic teams are called the Panthers. The college is a member of the Division III ranks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) since the 2012–13 academic year. The Panthers previously competed in the D-III Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) from 2007–08 to 2011–12; in the Big South Conference within the NCAA Division I ranks from 2001–02 to 2006–07; and in the TranSouth Athletic Conference (TranSouth or TSAC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1996–97 to 2000–01.

Birmingham–Southern competes in 22 intercollegiate varsity sports:[6] Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field and volleyball.

Notable alumni[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "College Navigator – Birmingham-Southern College". Nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  2. ^ "About Birmingham-Southern". Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  3. ^ Drew Taylor. "Birmingham-Southern College closing its doors May 31". Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  4. ^ The Key Reporter. 3 (2): 5. Spring 1938 http://www.keyreporter.org/Media/Default/PdfArchives/TKRSPRING1938.pdf. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ Emily Cochrane. "A Private Liberal Arts College Is Drowning In Debt. Should Alabama Rescue It?". Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  6. ^ Birmingham-Southern College. "BSC Basics". Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  7. ^ Married With Children star reminisces about her childhood in Winter Park from The Watermark, 10 April 2013
  8. ^ "Richmond C. Beatty". Guggenheim Foundation. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  9. ^ "Injuries Sustained In Accident Fatal To Dr. Branscomb. Widely Known Methodist Leader Dies In Jasper Hospital. Held Pastorate In Anniston. Was President of Alabama Anti-Saloon League". The Anniston Star. October 30, 1930. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  10. ^ "Auburn hires Butch Thompson as baseball coach". Auburn Tigers. October 22, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2023.

Further reading[edit]

  • Joseph H. Parks and Oliver C. Weaver, Birmingham-Southern College, 1856–1956. Nashville, TN: Parthenon Press, 1957.

External links[edit]

33°30′54″N 86°51′11″W / 33.515°N 86.853°W / 33.515; -86.853