Methodist university in Birmingham, Alabama, US
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
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
The college offers five bachelor's degrees in more than 50 programs of study, as well as interdisciplinary and individualized majors and dual degree programs.
Campus
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
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
William Acker – United States district judge
Robert Aderholt – United States congressman from Alabama (1997–present)
Laurie C. Battle – United States congressman from Alabama (1947–1955)
Amanda Bearse – actress, best known for her role as Marcy on the television sitcom
Married... with Children .
[7]
Richmond C. Beatty (BA 1926) – academic, biographer and critic
[8]
Harvie Branscomb – Chancellor,
Vanderbilt University (1946–1963)
Lewis C. Branscomb (1865–1930) – Methodist minister
[9]
Charles Brooks – Editorial cartoonist
Pat Buttram – Actor (sidekick of
Gene Autry in films, and Mr. Haney in the TV series
Green Acres )
Miles Copeland III – Music and entertainment executive, former manager of
The Police and cofounder of
I.R.S. Records
Howard Cruse – Cartoonist
Charles Gaines – Author, journalist, screenwriter, editor; Cine Gold Eagle Awards, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
Emmy Award
Alexander Gelman – Theatre Director,
Organic Theater Company , Chicago
Rebecca Gilman – American
playwright
Jennifer Hale – Voice actress
Walker Hayes – Country singer/songwriter
Donald Heflin – American diplomat
Howell Heflin – U.S. Senator from Alabama (1978–1997)
Perry O. Hooper, Sr. – 27th Chief Justice of the
Alabama Supreme Court
Alexa Jones – former
Miss Alabama and news reporter
Hugh Martin – Broadway and film composer and arranger, including movie musical
Meet Me In St. Louis , starring Judy Garland.
Walter P. McConaughy - Career diplomat and US Ambassador to Burma, South Korea, Pakistan, and Taiwan.
Morgan Murphy – Food critic and author
Joe Nasco – Professional footballer
Sena Jeter Naslund – Author
LaFayette L. Patterson – United States Representative
Gin Phillips – Novelist
Howell Raines – Executive editor,
The New York Times (2001–2004);
Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing , 1992
Ray Reach – Jazz pianist, vocalist, arranger, composer, producer and educator. Director of Student Jazz Programs at the
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame .
Glenn Shadix – American actor
Daryl Shore – Professional soccer player and coach
Morgan Smith Goodwin – Actress, spokesperson for Wendy's
Larry Striplin - college basketball coach and businessman
Luther Leonidas Terry – Surgeon General of the United States (1961–1965)
Butch Thompson , college baseball coach
[10]
Martin Waldron (1925–1981) – Winner of the
1964
Pulitzer Prize for Public Service
Ray Wedgeworth – college basketball, football, and baseball coach
Frederick Palmer Whiddon – President,
University of South Alabama (1963–1998)
Robert Lee Williams – 3rd Governor of
Oklahoma (1915–1919)
John H. Yardley – Pathologist
References
Further reading
Joseph H. Parks and Oliver C. Weaver, Birmingham-Southern College, 1856–1956. Nashville, TN: Parthenon Press, 1957.
External links
Links to related articles
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Full members Football-only members Future members
Southwestern (2025)
Trinity (TX) (2025)
Birmingham Area Consortium for Higher Education
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