Group of officials, including military officers and civilians, cutting a red ribbon at an outdoor dedication ceremony for a commemorative plaque — (Left to right) BSC President Daniel Coleman, Congressman Robert Aderholt, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, Alabama Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, and Command Master Chief Matthew Buckman cut the ribbon on the U.S. Coast Guard’s new facility in Birmingham. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Today, the U.S. Coast Guard officially opened Training Center (TRACEN) Birmingham-Southern—the new home of the Enlisted Training Center of Excellence—on the 192-acre former Birmingham-Southern College campus in the Bush Hills neighborhood.

U.S. Coast Guard opens Training Center (TRACEN) Birmingham-Southern

Group of officials and military officers cutting a red ribbon at an outdoor dedication ceremony for a commemorative stone plaque — Birmingham-Southern is now, officially, Coast Guard Training Center Birmingham-Southern. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Military leaders, elected officials and members of the Birmingham-Southern community gathered on campus Friday for a formal commissioning ceremony marking the opening of Training Center (TRACEN) Birmingham-Southern, the Coast Guard’s new Enlisted Training Center of Excellence.

The new training center will serve as the Coast Guard’s premier location for enlisted leadership development and professional education. According to Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday, the facility will play a critical role as the Coast Guard expands its workforce and modernizes its operations.

“Readiness starts by developing the sharpest minds and the most capable leaders to face the complex challenges of tomorrow. Today, it’s my distinct honor to officially establish the Coast Guard’s Enlisted Training Center of Excellence on these historic grounds, formally naming it Coast Guard Training Center Birmingham-Southern.”
Admiral Kevin Lunday, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

During the event, officials said the campus will become the primary destination for enlisted leadership training across the Coast Guard, supporting the service’s goal of growing its force by approximately 15,000 personnel in the coming years.

Former Birmingham-Southern campus begins new chapter as U.S. Coast Guard training center

An aerial view of the Birmingham-Southern College campus in Birmingham, Alabama. — An aerial view of the Birmingham-Southern quad. (Birmingham-Southern College)

The opening of TRACEN Birmingham-Southern marks a new chapter for the 192-acre campus on the northwest side of town.

With roots dating back to 1856, Birmingham-Southern College was a private 4-year liberal arts college in Birmingham’s Bush Hills neighborhood. A nationally-ranked liberal arts college, Birmingham-Southern College offered an innovative curriculum and a commitment to student success.

However, Birmingham-Southern had long struggled with financial solvency. Under the adminstration of President David Pollick (2004-2010), the College enagaged in multipe building projects, shrinking its endowment and taking on debt. Despite the efforts of following administrations, the College was never able to dig itself out of debt; the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue, and by 2022 the College was $38 million in debt.

In the following years, Birmingham-Southern College administrators and supporters rallied for public loans to buy time to raise private funding. Despite the Alabama Legislature’s approval of a new loan program created for the college, Birmingham-Southern was denied public funding. After 168 years in Alabama, Birmingham-Southern College closed its doors on May 31, 2024.

Birmingham Southern College kids graduating — 63 Birmingham-Southern seniors who transferred to Samford University were invited back on campus to ring the bell one last time. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

In the years following Birmingham-Southern’s closure, Birmingham-Southern’s Board of Trustees began an effort to sell the campus. Located in the Bush Hills neighborhood of Birmingham, Birmingham-Southern’s 192-acre campus features 1.3 million square feet of buildings, plus athletic fields and expansive green spaces.

Although two Alabama colleges—Alabama A&M and Miles College—expressed interest in purchasing Birmingham-Southern’s campus, the entities were unable to come to an agreement, and the deals ultimately fell through.

A speaker addresses a crowd at a U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Birmingham-Southern ceremony, with officials seated on stage and DHS and Coast Guard flags displayed — Birmingham-Southern College President Daniel Coleman thanked the U.S Coast Guard for continuing the legacy of Birmingham-Southern. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Then, in March 2026, the College found an unlikely buyer—the United States Coast Guard.

According to Birmingham-Southern President Coleman, today’s announcement represents a continuation of the institution’s legacy rather than an ending.

“Two years ago, we had a funeral. It was intense and sad. Last week we had a graduation or commencement.

Today feels more like a wedding.”
Daniel Coleman, President, Birmingham-Southern College

What’s next for TRACEN Birmingham-Southern?

A Coast Guard admiral speaks at a podium bearing the DHS seal at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Birmingham-Southern dedication ceremony — Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin jokingly encouraged Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday to get a new tattoo with the combined U.S. Coast Guard and Birmingham-Southern College logos. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Throughout the year, Coast Guard Training Center Birmingham-Southern will train several thousand active-duty enlisted personnel rotating through courses ranging from two to 12 weeks that focus on technical skills and professional development. An estimated 300 Coast Guard staff and another 100 civilian contractors will operate Training Center Birmingham-Southern, living either on or off campus.

According to Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday, the Coast Guard intends to preserve the historic character of the Birmingham-Southern campus while adapting it to meet the needs of a modern military training facility.

“We know exactly what this campus means to the people of Birmingham and the entire state of Alabama. When the gates of this college closed two years ago, it marked the end of an extraordinary era for Birmingham, and today marks the proud beginning of a new era.

Our goal is not to change the historic character of this hilltop, but to build upon it. Together, we’re forging the next generation of Coast Guard heroes right here in Birmingham.”
Admiral Kevin Lunday, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

As the Coast Guard assumes ownership of the campus, officials say the goal is to build upon Birmingham-Southern’s longstanding commitment to education, leadership and service.

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