BIRMINGHAM — On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Birmingham-Southern College (BSC) campus to launch its new training center.
Aptly named after the recently shuttered college, Training Center Birmingham-Southern will now be an institution of learning for the Coast Guard, with a mission to continue carrying on BSC's legacy. The campus was purchased for $126.5 million this year. An estimated 300 Coast Guard staff and another 100 civilian contractors will operate Training Center Birmingham-Southern, living either on or off campus.
State, federal, and local dignitaries, including U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and Katie Britt, U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) and Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham), and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, were in attendance to watch BSC enter a new era after nearly 170 years.
Former BSC president Daniel Coleman gave a passionate speech in which he boasted about the Coast Guard's future plans on campus and described the change as "the father of the bride," letting go of his duties.
"This legacy will be cherished and protected for 100 years," he stated.
Britt, who led the charge in bringing the Coast Guard to the BSC campus, stated, “As Alabamians, we know how critical our state is to national security, and every day that grows more evident as we continue making incredible contributions to our nation’s defense and military capabilities. Today’s celebration of this exciting new chapter for Birmingham-Southern further proves that point. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security Appropriations, I’m proud of the role I played in advocating for BSC to be the home for the Coast Guard’s Enlisted Training Center of Excellence.”
Mullin and Tuberville both called the move a win for President Donald Trump because the campus would allow a quick and relatively cheap transition to use. They also credited him for wanting a strong military.
"We're here to welcome a new winner to our state," Tuberville declared. "We love winning. The state of Alabama loves winning."
Tuberville, who is running for governor, said in his next job, he would be even more involved in working with Training Center Birmingham-Southern.
"We're going to give them every hand that we possibly can because we welcome them to the great state of Alabama," he added.
Mullin said he appreciated BSC and Alabama for welcoming the Coast Guard, adding it would be an "asset" to the state.
"The Coast Guard ... is going to be here for a very, very long time," he declared, adding, "It is an absolute beautiful campus."
Aderholt, a BSC grad, said, “With Birmingham-Southern being my alma mater, it was important to me to ensure this campus could continue to serve those seeking to learn and improve their lives. I'm confident the United States Coast Guard will do just that. I want to thank Senator Britt and Senator Tuberville for their partnership as we worked together to encourage the Coast Guard and the White House to ensure this campus remains an important footprint in Alabama.”
According to the Coast Guard, the campus will preserve a lot of the BSC logos and history around the campus.
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