Press Release

April 4, 2024 | By Ohio Wesleyan University

Ohio Wesleyan, one of the 'Colleges That Change Lives,' is a teach-out institution ready to assist students at Birmingham-Southern College as they explore their new schools. (Photo by Mark Schmitter '12)

Teach-Out Institution

Ohio Wesleyan Prepared to Assist Birmingham-Southern College Students

DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University is deeply saddened by the impending closure of Birmingham-Southern College, also designated as one of the nation's "Colleges That Change Lives," and is ready to assist BSC students seeking to complete their bachelor's degrees at another institution.

Ohio Wesleyan is designated by Birmingham-Southern as a "teach-out institution" for its students, which means OWU offers several protections beyond a traditional transfer agreement to help BSC students succeed at their new school. As a BSC teach-out institution, Ohio Wesleyan offers:

  • Financial aid offers for BSC students that match or beat their current aid.
  • Waived application fees.
  • Automatic admission of BSC students in good academic and social standing.
  • Full credit transfer of all regular-term units/credits earned at BSC.
  • Net tuition and/or fees comparable to BSC.
  • On-time degree completion.
  • Waived residency requirements.

Ohio Wesleyan is providing in-person assistance to help BSC students choose their best path forward with Assistant Director of Transfer Admission Jamal David traveling to the Alabama campus to meet with students and attend their April 5 transfer fair.

President Matt vandenBerg shared, "We are sorry to see Birmingham-Southern College close but want to offer our services to BSC students so they can continue their high-quality experience in a welcoming and warm environment that will feel like home."

Adam Smith, OWU's vice president for enrollment, said Ohio Wesleyan is committed to helping BSC students graduate on time with a meaningful, memorable campus life experience.

"Like BSC," Smith said, "we are one of the 'Colleges That Change Lives,' and we are prepared to provide the quality academic and campus life experience that Birmingham-Southern students want, need, deserve, and expect."

Learn more about becoming a Bishop at owu.edu/admission or by contacting Jamal David at jkdavid@owu.edu


Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.