Fairfield's Miles College reaches new level of prestige in Birmingham

FAIRFIELD, Alabama  --  Students have been drawn to Miles College -- a small, predominantly African-American school in Fairfield -- for many reasons.    

Some were first-generation college students who went to Miles because it was close to home and affordable.

Some attended because, during the long decades of segregation in Alabama, most larger state schools were off-limits to African-Americans.

Many have taken advantage of the school's long-standing "open-door policy," which has allowed students with less-than-stellar high-school grades to continue their education.

And generations of these students seem to have found Miles to be a nourishing place -- socially and intellectually -- that has given them the start in life they needed.

The school has faced serious challenges at times.



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