‘Perfect fit’:Birmingham-Southern campus reopens as Coast Guard facility

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U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., answers questions at a press conference following the ribbon cutting at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala. and others cut the ribbon signifying the opening of the U.S. Coast Guard's new training facility at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., hands the podium over to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. These two both thanked President Donald Trump in their remarks. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., speaks at the opening ceremony preceding the ribbon cutting at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., makes Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin chuckle during his time at the podium at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. Tuberville made jokes about Mullin being welcome to Alabama despite his Oklahoma birthplace. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin delivers his remarks at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., sit together as Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin delivers his remarks at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Kevin Lunday speaks at the opening ceremony preceding the ribbon cutting at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin holds what appears to be a stress ball as he receives standing ovation upon approaching the podium at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin sit together after Mullin finishes his speech at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

Audience members, some of whom are in the U.S. Coast Guard, stand as Semper Paratus plays and the ceremony ends at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

Command Master Chief Matthew D. Buckman of the U.S. Coast Guard, left, watches as Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin delivers his remarks at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., speaks at the opening ceremony preceding the ribbon cutting at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026.

U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Kevin Lunday speaks at the opening ceremony preceding the ribbon cutting at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala. and others congregate at the Bruno Entrance of Birmingham-Southern College after cutting the ribbon celebrating the U.S. Coast Guard's new training facility in Birmingham, Friday, June 5, 2026. Many who made remarks during the ceremony wanted to make it clear that this is not the death of BSC, but rather an opportunity for partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. (Eric Kiekeben/AL.com)

Daniel Coleman’s voice cracked as he greeted dignitaries, members of Congress and a sea of men and women dressed in blue Friday afternoon.

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