Absence as an Anthem: Alumni Boycott "Homecoming" to Protect the Wesleyan Identity

While the official university calendar marked October 4th as Homecoming, the true spirit of the Marlin family was found three miles away from campus. Frustration over the planned transition to "Batten University" didn’t dampen the mood on Friday night; instead, it fueled a powerful gathering at Shorebreak Pizza & Taphouse in Virginia Beach.

For decades, Shorebreak has been the unofficial headquarters for Virginia Wesleyan alumni celebrations. However, in an unusual move for 2025, the university relocated the official event to a local golf course. In response, a massive coalition of graduates decided to "reclaim" their tradition—and their name—by boycotting campus-sanctioned events and holding an alternative celebration of their own.

"We Don't Feel Like It's a Home Right Now"

The message behind the boycott was clear: a university is built of people, not just buildings. Devin Cowhey, a prominent alumna and organizer, explained the emotional weight behind the decision to stay away from the campus gates.

"We are just staying away from college-sponsored events this weekend," Cowhey said. "We don’t feel like it’s a home right now. We need our absence to be felt by the university."

The Friday night event served as a "living protest," proving that the alumni’s connection is to the Virginia Wesleyan name and the community it represents—not to the administration's new branding direction.

It’s Not About the Family; It’s About the Precedent

Throughout the evening, organizers were careful to clarify their stance. The movement isn't a personal attack on the Batten family, whose generosity is well-documented. Rather, it is a stand against a lack of transparency and a dangerous shift in institutional values.

"This sets a precedent that the dollars are what matter," Cowhey explained. "And that’s kind of a scary precedent."

Alumni like Brian Kirwin echoed these concerns, noting that the university’s unique identity—built over 60 years of Methodist tradition and regional pride—risks being permanently lost in the rebranding process. To Kirwin and many others, "Virginia Wesleyan" isn't just a label; it’s a heritage that shouldn't be for sale.

A Growing Movement

The Shorebreak boycott is just the latest in a series of escalating efforts by the Saving Virginia Wesleyan campaign. Following a high-profile protest outside the university gates in August, this weekend’s events demonstrated that the resistance is only growing stronger as the July 1, 2026, deadline approaches.

By choosing to celebrate elsewhere, these alumni sent a definitive message to the Board of Trustees: You can change the sign, but you cannot move the heart of the Marlin faithful.