Published on May 4, 2009  

David Chapman, Dean of Arts and Sciences, has been selected to serve as coordinator of the Birmingham Area Consortium of Higher Education (BACHE) for 2009-11. 

The Birmingham Area Consortium for Higher Education (BACHE) is a partnership among the five, four-year colleges and universities in the greater Birmingham area: Birmingham-Southern, Miles College, Samford University, the University of Montevallo, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Created by the presidents in 1996 to advance academic excellence through collaborative activities and shared resources, BACHE enhances educational opportunities for students and provides services and support to faculty, staff and the community.

Dr. Chapman replaces Elaine Hughes (University of Montevallo) who led the organization from 2007-2009. BACHE programs have included course exchange among the various institutions, sharing resources (such as the Visiting Writers Series), and special programs (such as the annual Women's Conference).
 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.