 | |
Former name | Miles Memorial College (1898–1941) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Sapientia et Pax et Amor Omnibus |
Motto in English | Wisdom and Peace and Love for all. |
| Type | Privatehistorically black college |
| Established | 1898 |
Religious affiliation | CME Church |
Academic affiliations | Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference[1] |
| President | Bobbie Knight |
Administrative staff | 135 |
| Students | 1,500 |
| Location | ,, U.S. 33°28′50″N86°54′32″W / 33.48056°N 86.90889°W /33.48056; -86.90889 |
| Campus | 76 acres (310,000 m2) |
| Colors | Purple & gold[1] |
| Nickname | Golden Bears[1] |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division II –SIAC[1] |
| Mascot | The Golden Bear |
| Website | miles.edu |
 | |
Miles Memorial College Historic District | |
   | |
| Area | 76 acres (31 ha) |
| Built | 1907 (1907) |
| Architect | Tisdale, Stone & Patton; Gilreath Construction |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman, Beaux Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 93001031[2] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | January 3, 1994 |
| Designated ARLH | March 19, 1993[3] |
 | |
Miles College is aprivatehistorically black college inFairfield, Alabama. Founded in 1898, it is associated with theChristian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME Church) and a member of theUnited Negro College Fund.
Miles College began organization efforts in 1893 and was founded in 1898 by the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church (now the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church). It was chartered as Miles Memorial College, in honor of BishopWilliam H. Miles.[4] Bishop Miles had been born into slavery in Kentucky and was later freed (although sources disagree on the date).[5] In 1911, the Miles College awarded its first bachelor's degrees.[4]
It was originally housed in the former Booker City High School campus inBooker City, Alabama.[4] In 1907, the college moved from Booker City to its present campus in Fairfield, Alabama, roughly six miles west of downtownBirmingham.[4]
The school was able to survive theGreat Depression with the help of two term college president,William Augustus Bell.[4] In 1941 the name was changed from Miles Memorial College to Miles College.[4][6]
In January 2020,Charles Barkley, who is an Alabama native, donated $1 million to Miles College, under first female President Dr. Bobbie Knight. Barkley's gift is the biggest donation from a single person that the school has ever received. Dr. Knight said the donation will kickstart efforts to raise $100 million.[7]
Miles isaccredited by the Commission on Colleges of theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools for the awarding of baccalaureate degrees and approved by the Alabama State Department of Education. Its social work program is accredited by theCouncil of Social Work Education. Miles College offers 25 bachelor's degrees in the following divisions: Business and Accounting, Communications, Education, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Miles College is one of 41 schools in the nation with a Center of Academic Excellence under the office of the Director of National Intelligence.[13]
Miles offers 28 bachelor's degree programs in six academic divisions to an enrollment of approximately 1,700 students and also offers anhonors program for undergraduate students with exceptional academic records.
Miles College purchased the Lloyd Noland Hospital site, which more than doubled the size of the campus. The college completed the construction of a new student activity and dining center, a new welcome and admissions center, and a new 204 bed residence hall. Part of the campus is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[2]
Sloan Alumni Stadium, named after the college's 13th president, Albert J. H. Sloan II, was recently expanded to include a $1 million Environ-Turf field.
AfterBirmingham-Southern College closed in 2024, Miles entered into an agreement to buy its former campus, but in November after Miles missed deadlines to complete the sale, Birmingham-Southern chose to pursue other purchasers. Miles stated it still desires to buy the campus.[14]
Organizations for students include the Student Government Association, Honors Curriculum, academic clubs, religious organizations,National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations, general interest clubs, agospel choir, and aconcert choir.
The school operated a radio station,WMWI FM 88.7. It was established in 2009 and was licensed to serveDemopolis, Alabama.[15] It went off the air in 2019 and its license was cancelled in December 2023.
The Miles College band is known as the Purple Marching Machine (PMM). The Purple Marching Machine was established in 1996, under the direction of Prof. Arthur Means, Jr. There are nearly 200 members in the band now and it is under the direction of Willie Snipes Jr. PMM has performed at theMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, numerous battle of the bands, and for theAtlanta Falcons. PMM is accompanied by the Golden Stars danceline and Steaming Flagscolor guard.[16]
The Miles College athletics program competes in theNCAA Division II'sSouthern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The program has men's and women's sports that include: basketball, football, volleyball, track, baseball, softball, cross country, and golf. Their nickname is the Golden Bears.[1]
Links to related articles | |
|---|---|
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Geographic | |
| Other | |
