OUR MISSION:
To Protect Our History,
Our Identity, and Our Future
Virginia Wesleyan University is more than a name—it is a legacy built on decades of academic excellence, community trust, Methodist values, and shared identity. Our mission is to preserve the Virginia Wesleyan University name and ensure that decisions impacting its future reflect the voices, history, and values of those who built and sustained it.
We believe that renaming Virginia Wesleyan University to “Batten University” would irreversibly sever the institution from its heritage, confuse its identity, and diminish the meaning the name holds for generations of alumni, students, faculty, donors, and supporters. Changing the name is not a cosmetic update—it fundamentally alters how the institution is perceived and remembered.
Religious affiliation should be worn as a badge of honor, not a footnote. Look at institutions like Texas Christian, Notre Dame, and Southern Methodist: these are thriving, large-scale universities that lead with their faith. Additionally, there are more than 15 Wesleyan Universities across the nation. They prove that a bold, forward-facing Christian identity is not a barrier to success, but a catalyst for it.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
For decades, the VWU name has earned regional and national recognition for strong academics, athletics, and community engagement.
FAITH BASED ROOTS
"Wesleyan” reflects the institution’s Methodist heritage and commitment to values-based education, service, and ethical leadership.
ALUMNI PRIDE
Thousands of graduates earned degrees under the Virginia Wesleyan name—degrees that reflect personal achievement, shared experiences, and lifelong connections.
COMMUNITY TRUST
The VWU name is recognized across Hampton Roads and beyond by employers, partner organizations, and prospective students.
Legacy Deserves
Respect
Institutional history should be honored, not erased. Our university's identity is a a sacred trust built through decades of academic excellence, shared traditions, and community service.
Stakeholder Voices
Matter
Alumni, students, faculty, and supporters deserve transparency and meaningful input in decisions of this magnitude.
OUR CORE BELIEFS
Philanthropy
Should Enhance,
Not Replace,
Identity
Generous donations can strengthen an institution without redefining its name or mission.
Stability Builds
Strength
In an era of higher-education uncertainty, continuity and brand recognition are assets—not obstacles.
OUR PURPOSE
OUR GROUP EXISTS TO:
Advocate
...for the Virginia Wesleyan name.
Educate
stakeholders on the long-term consequences of a name change
Encourage
open dialogue and responsible governance
Protect
the value of VWU and VWC degrees -- past, present, and future.
Ensure
the university’s identity remains aligned with its founding principles
THIS IS NOT:
opposition for the sake of resistance — it is advocacy for thoughtful stewardship.
