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[[Image:MilesLogo.png|right|200px]]
[[Image:MilesLogo.png|right|200px]]
'''Miles College''' is a historically black college founded in [[1898]]. Located at 5500 [[Myron Massey Blvd]] in [[Fairfield]] in western [[Jefferson County]], it is a private liberal arts institution of the [[Christian Methodist Episcopal Church]] with 1,501 students enrolled for [[2021]]. The college is a member of the United Negro College Fund and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The [[List of Miles College presidents|president]] is [[George French Jr]]. The student newspaper is ''The Milean''.
'''Miles College''' is a historically black college founded in [[1898]]. Located at 5500 [[Myron Massey Blvd]] in [[Fairfield]] in western [[Jefferson County]], it is a private liberal arts institution of the [[Christian Methodist Episcopal Church]] with 1,501 students enrolled for [[2021]]. The college is a member of the United Negro College Fund and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The current [[List of Miles College presidents|president]] is [[Bobbie Knight]]. The student newspaper is ''The Milean''.


Miles College offers 25 different degrees in education, business, biology, and the sciences.  
Miles College offers 25 different degrees in education, business, biology, and the sciences.  
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==History==
==History==
Miles College was founded in 1898 by leaders of the Colored Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church, later renamed the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The C.M.E. denomination had separated form the white-dominated [[Methodist Episcopal Church, South]] in 1870. The college was named Miles Memorial College in honor of William H. Miles, a founding bishop of the C.M.E. Church who had been born a slave in Kentucky. By his death in 1892, Bishop Miles had helped the C.M.E. Church become one of the largest denominations among African Americans in the South.  
Miles College was founded in 1898 by leaders of the Colored Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church, later renamed the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The C.M.E. denomination had separated form the white-dominated [[Methodist Episcopal Church, South]] in 1870. The college was named Miles Memorial College in honor of William H. Miles, a founding bishop of the C.M.E. Church who had been born a slave in Kentucky. By his death in 1892, Bishop Miles had helped the C.M.E. Church become one of the largest denominations among African Americans in the South.  
In [[1961]] Miles hired 46-year-old Georgia Negro Teachers Association president [[Lucius Pitts]] to serve as president at a salary of $7,500. He launched a "tin can drive" for small donations to fund library purchases, but [[Bull Connor]] threatened to arrest the students for pan-handling. When word got out, books were sent to the college from around the country, including more than 6,000 collected by Yale University students. Miles' library grew to more than 28,000 volumes. By [[1963]] Miles had 810 students enrolled, paying tuition of $420 per year, and had grown its endowment from $75,000 to $500,000. It received approximately $26,000 per year from the CME Church, enough to cover 1 month's payroll. Pitts secured a federal loan to finance construction of a $433,000 student union and cafeteria. National press about the school's struggles inspired [[John Monro]], dean of Harvard College, to volunteer his time to teach a summer English program in [[1964]]. Eleven other white faculty members also signed on that year.


In [[2006]], Miles College purchased the former [[Lloyd Noland Hospital]] from [[HealthSouth]], creating space for a 41-acre "north campus" in addition to the college's existing 35 acres. The college is considering acquiring property between the two parcels, currently the site of the [[Demetrius C. Newton Gardens]] apartments operated by the [[Fairfield Housing Authority]].
In [[2006]], Miles College purchased the former [[Lloyd Noland Hospital]] from [[HealthSouth]], creating space for a 41-acre "north campus" in addition to the college's existing 35 acres. The college is considering acquiring property between the two parcels, currently the site of the [[Demetrius C. Newton Gardens]] apartments operated by the [[Fairfield Housing Authority]].
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The school broke ground on a $20 million construction project in October [[2012]], adding a 240-bed residence hall, a student center, and an admissions and welcome center. It also restored its pedestrian entranceway with grants from [[Home Depot]] and [[Energen]]. Other plans for the north campus include a school of international studies, a health and wellness center, and a performing arts center.
The school broke ground on a $20 million construction project in October [[2012]], adding a 240-bed residence hall, a student center, and an admissions and welcome center. It also restored its pedestrian entranceway with grants from [[Home Depot]] and [[Energen]]. Other plans for the north campus include a school of international studies, a health and wellness center, and a performing arts center.


Miles College is a member of the Deep South Economic Mobility Collaborative which provides funding and support for small business development. In July [[2021]] Miles College used funds from the CARES Act and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to clear $2.1 million in outstanding account balances for currently-enrolled students, and another $1.6 million to provide resources to support students disadvantaged by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].
Miles College is a member of the Deep South Economic Mobility Collaborative which provides funding and support for small business development. In July [[2021]] Miles College used funds from the CARES Act and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to clear $2.1 million in outstanding account balances for currently-enrolled students, and another $1.6 million to provide resources to support students disadvantaged by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. That fall, the college announced it would also cancel $3.9 million in federally-backed student loans for currently-enrolled students. In [[2024]] Miles accepted the gift of two 40-foot used transit busses from the [[BJCTA]].


==Athletics==
==Athletics==
[[Image:MilesBearLogo.png|right|125px]]
[[Image:MilesBearLogo.png|right|125px]]
:''See main article [[Miles Golden Bears]]''.
:''See main article [[Miles Golden Bears]]''.
Miles' athletic teams are the NCAA Division II Golden Bears of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The team colors are purple and gold. The football team plays in 8,500-seat [[Sloan-Alumni Stadium]] on campus. The basketball teams compete in 1,200-seat [[Knox-Windham Gymnasium]].
Miles' athletic teams are the NCAA Division II Golden Bears of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The team colors are purple and gold. The football team, coached by [[Sam Shade]], plays in 8,500-seat [[Sloan-Alumni Stadium]] on campus. The basketball teams compete in 1,200-seat [[Knox-Windham Gymnasium]].


==Notable Alumni==
==Notable Alumni==
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* [[Cleopatra Tucker]], New Jersey assemblywoman
* [[Cleopatra Tucker]], New Jersey assemblywoman
* [[Abraham Woods Jr]], minister and Civil Rights leader
* [[Abraham Woods Jr]], minister and Civil Rights leader
==External links==
*[http://www.miles.edu Miles College] website
*[http://www.myspace.com/milescollege Miles College] on MySpace.com


==References==
==References==
* "[https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,897040-1,00.html Miles's Mileage]." (November 8, 1963) ''TIME'' magazine
* {{Miles-2005}}
* {{Miles-2005}}
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miles_College Miles College]" (April 13, 2007) Wikipedia - accessed July 2, 2007  
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Miles_College Miles College]" (April 13, 2007) Wikipedia - accessed July 2, 2007  
Line 48: Line 47:
* Watkins, Mia (October 4, 2012) "Miles College to build three new buildings in $20 million project; enrollment up by 9 percent." {{BN}}
* Watkins, Mia (October 4, 2012) "Miles College to build three new buildings in $20 million project; enrollment up by 9 percent." {{BN}}
* "Miles College clears $2.1M in outstanding student balances." (July 31, 2021) {{BT}}
* "Miles College clears $2.1M in outstanding student balances." (July 31, 2021) {{BT}}
* "Enrollment Increases Second Year in a Row at Miles College." (September 23, 2021) ''Alabama NewsCenter''/{{BT}}
* "Miles College Cancels $3.9M in Loans for Students Enrolled in Spring 2022." (November 25, 2021) {{BT}}
* Thrailkill, Laurel (September 14, 2023) "[https://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2023/09/14/miles-college-unveils-plans-for-north-campus.html Q&A with Miles College president: Plans for North Campus, new arena]." {{BBJ}}
==External links==
* [https://www.miles.edu/ Miles College] website


[[Category:Miles College|*]]
[[Category:Miles College|*]]
[[Category:1898 establishments]]
[[Category:1898 establishments]]
[[Category:CME Church]]

Latest revision as of 11:55, 27 March 2024

MilesLogo.png

Miles College is a historically black college founded in 1898. Located at 5500 Myron Massey Blvd in Fairfield in western Jefferson County, it is a private liberal arts institution of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church with 1,501 students enrolled for 2021. The college is a member of the United Negro College Fund and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The current president is Bobbie Knight. The student newspaper is The Milean.

Miles College offers 25 different degrees in education, business, biology, and the sciences.

The college competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. The school colors are purple and gold, its mascot is the Golden Bear, and its marching band is the Miles Purple Marching Machine.

History

Miles College was founded in 1898 by leaders of the Colored Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church, later renamed the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The C.M.E. denomination had separated form the white-dominated Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1870. The college was named Miles Memorial College in honor of William H. Miles, a founding bishop of the C.M.E. Church who had been born a slave in Kentucky. By his death in 1892, Bishop Miles had helped the C.M.E. Church become one of the largest denominations among African Americans in the South.

In 1961 Miles hired 46-year-old Georgia Negro Teachers Association president Lucius Pitts to serve as president at a salary of $7,500. He launched a "tin can drive" for small donations to fund library purchases, but Bull Connor threatened to arrest the students for pan-handling. When word got out, books were sent to the college from around the country, including more than 6,000 collected by Yale University students. Miles' library grew to more than 28,000 volumes. By 1963 Miles had 810 students enrolled, paying tuition of $420 per year, and had grown its endowment from $75,000 to $500,000. It received approximately $26,000 per year from the CME Church, enough to cover 1 month's payroll. Pitts secured a federal loan to finance construction of a $433,000 student union and cafeteria. National press about the school's struggles inspired John Monro, dean of Harvard College, to volunteer his time to teach a summer English program in 1964. Eleven other white faculty members also signed on that year.

In 2006, Miles College purchased the former Lloyd Noland Hospital from HealthSouth, creating space for a 41-acre "north campus" in addition to the college's existing 35 acres. The college is considering acquiring property between the two parcels, currently the site of the Demetrius C. Newton Gardens apartments operated by the Fairfield Housing Authority.

The school broke ground on a $20 million construction project in October 2012, adding a 240-bed residence hall, a student center, and an admissions and welcome center. It also restored its pedestrian entranceway with grants from Home Depot and Energen. Other plans for the north campus include a school of international studies, a health and wellness center, and a performing arts center.

Miles College is a member of the Deep South Economic Mobility Collaborative which provides funding and support for small business development. In July 2021 Miles College used funds from the CARES Act and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to clear $2.1 million in outstanding account balances for currently-enrolled students, and another $1.6 million to provide resources to support students disadvantaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. That fall, the college announced it would also cancel $3.9 million in federally-backed student loans for currently-enrolled students. In 2024 Miles accepted the gift of two 40-foot used transit busses from the BJCTA.

Athletics

MilesBearLogo.png
See main article Miles Golden Bears.

Miles' athletic teams are the NCAA Division II Golden Bears of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The team colors are purple and gold. The football team, coached by Sam Shade, plays in 8,500-seat Sloan-Alumni Stadium on campus. The basketball teams compete in 1,200-seat Knox-Windham Gymnasium.

Notable Alumni

References

External links

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