By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – Birmingham-Southern College president Neal Berte will leave the college next year as its longest serving president. He will retire after nearly 28 years with the college. Berte says his health is fine...he just wants to spend more time with his children and grandchildren. He also says the college is about to develop a new strategic plan, so it's a good time for new leadership. Birmingham-Southern's enrollment has doubled and its endowment has increased tenfold since he arrived. Berte will retain the title of chancellor after he retires. A national search for a successor begins this month.