After announcing its closing in May, Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) is still in search of a buyer.
Despite interest from neighboring Alabama colleges like Alabama A&M University and Miles College, BSC’s future when it comes to buyers currently does not look too promising. According to a report by 1819 News, the school turned down a “lowball” offer of $65 million from A&M, which would have officially made it an HBCU. On the other hand, it signed a Letter of Intent with Miles College. However, the college could not find the funds to fulfill the purchase.
Launched as a Methodist institution just a year after its inception in 1856 as Southern University, the institution officially became Birmingham-Southern College when it merged with Birmingham College in 1918. The school is affectionately known as The Hilltop, due to its location overlooking the city of Birmingham.
Citing financial woes, BSC’s official last day of operation was May 31, 2024. However, the school’s last President, Daniel B. Coleman, has a vision of the institution’s campus continuing to be useful for Birmingham. The campus is currently home to dozens of administrative and classroom buildings, residence halls, and an apartment complex equipped with a pool, a lake, and playing fields.