EXCLUSIVE – Miles College Takes Another Step to Acquire Birmingham-Southern Campus

By Barnett Wright The Birmingham Times Miles College and Birmingham-Southern College on Wednesday signed a purchase agreement for BSC’s 192-acre campus, the Birmingham Times has learned. An announcement is expected this afternoon. Both Boards of Trustees have unanimously voted to enter into a purchase agreement, following a letter of intent signed by the two schools in June. “We are very pleased to take this next step with Miles College,” said BSC President Daniel B. Coleman in a statement. “Our hope has been to find a buyer whose mission paralleled BSC’s mission of educating young people for lives of service and significance, and whose presence on the Hilltop would also benefit the surrounding communities who have been such good neighbors to BSC for more than 100 years.” Birmingham-Southern College ceased normal operations in May following an 18-month effort to obtain bridge funding from a $30 million state loan program conceived and enacted to save the 168-year-old liberal arts institution. Both Miles and BSC have “roots” in the Methodist tradition of service and a commitment to preparing young people for lives of leadership, Coleman said. “We will continue to work diligently with President Bobbie Knight and her team to ensure a smooth...