A Letter To The Trustees AND A Resolution: Monumental UMC Opposes Name Change

The historic ties that bind Virginia Wesleyan to its Methodist heritage aren't just lines in a history book—they are written into the very bricks and mortar of our campus. Today, another massive voice from our community has stepped forward to express deep disappointment over the administration’s decision to erase "Wesleyan" in favor of "Batten University" this coming July 1.

The leadership board at Monumental United Methodist Church—a cornerstone of faith and history founded in 1772—has officially signed a resolution and sent a formal letter to Dr. Nancy T. DeFord, Chair of the Virginia Wesleyan Board of Trustees.

Their message is clear, poignant, and devastatingly precise.

(The letter and the resolution are displayed in full below.)

"Deep Disappointment" from a Historic Partner

The letter, penned and signed by Barrett R. Richardson (VWC Class of 1981) on behalf of the church, pulls no punches. It expresses profound disappointment that the university's rich Methodist history and foundational connections were seemingly brushed aside and "not given more serious consideration" during the renaming process.

For an institution that built its identity on the values of John Wesley, abandoning that name feels to many like abandoning its soul. Monumental UMC’s leadership is making sure the Board of Trustees hears that grief and frustration loud and clear.

The Legacy of the Monumental Chapel

This isn't just an outside organization weighing in; Monumental UMC is woven into the literal fabric of our campus.

In 1972, to mark the church's landmark 200th Anniversary Celebration, seven dedicated members of Monumental UMC raised and donated significant funds to Virginia Wesleyan College. Working in close coordination with the Beazley Foundation, this massive effort resulted in the construction of the Monumental Chapel—the spiritual heart of our campus.

The very individuals who signed the new resolution are the ones who helped build the space where generations of Marlins have gathered for reflection, worship, and community. To see the university distance itself from the Methodist identity that inspired the chapel's creation is a bitter pill to swallow.

The Resolution Stands in Adamant Opposition

The resolution doesn't just look back at history with nostalgia; it looks at the present with fierce resistance. The leadership board of Monumental United Methodist Church closed their resolution by proclaiming their adamant opposition to the proposed name change to Batten University.

They stand with the alumni, the students, the faculty, and the community members who believe that true progress doesn't require erasing your past.

Why This Matters

As July 1 approaches, the administration may want us to believe that the transition to Batten University is a done deal that everyone has accepted. But voices like Monumental UMC—backed by over 250 years of history and a direct stake in our campus infrastructure—prove that the heartbreak and resistance are as strong as ever.

We thank Barrett R. Richardson, the donors who contributed back in 1972, and the entire Monumental UMC leadership board for their courage, their loyalty to our heritage, and their willingness to speak truth to power.

Stay loud, Marlins. History is watching.