Staff

Tradition Over Ego: Why the name Virginia Wesleyan should not be for sale For over six decades, the name Virginia Wesleyan  has stood for more than just a collection of brick-and-mortar buildings in Virginia Beach. It has represented a promise. It has been the "heart of the 757," a sanctuary for scholars, an underdog that punched above its weight, and a home for thousands of alumni who carry that name with a fierce, quiet pride. But today, that identity is under siege. The recent proposal to...

By  Letters to the Editor  | The Virginian-Pilot & Daily Press PUBLISHED: September 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM EDT It’s homecoming week at Virginia Wesleyan University, but we alumni don’t feel like we have a home anymore. In August, VWU announced that it will be renaming itself Batten University to honor long-time mega-donor Jane Batten. The announcement shocked us. We know and appreciate the Batten family’s investment in VWU, but sacrificing our identity, history and heritage in honor of one...

Column: Virginia Wesleyan taught that my voice mattered. Is that still true?  https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/06/column-virginia-wesleyan-taught-that-my-voice-mattered-is-that-still-true/ By  Bob Valvano  | Guest Columnist PUBLISHED: September 6, 2025 at 6:05 PM EDT As a young, aspiring basketball coach, I relied on my far more accomplished brother Jim for advice. One of the simple rules he taught me, when I asked if a certain coaching job was worth pursuing, is what I came to call the...