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SaveVWU: Dr. Scott Miller Blames The Alumni

Updated: Feb 3

The controversy around the Virginia Wesleyan University name change isn't going to "just go away". Let's go back to the end of the summer and revive this gem.


VWU President Scott Miller essentially suggested that "the beatings will continue until morale improves."


In an interview with Andy Fox on WAVY TV, President Scott Miller took to the airwaves to address the massive pushback regarding the school’s rebranding to Batten University. But instead of offering an olive branch or acknowledging the deep-seated traditions of the Marlin community, he took a different route: He blamed the alumni.




"Mean-Spirited" or Just Loyal?


According to Dr. Miller, the thousands of alumni and students who signed a petition to save the VWU name aren’t just concerned—they’re "mean-spirited."


Let that sink in for a second. That is the official takeaway from the administration. It’s not that the alumni are passionate, or that they value the history of their alma mater, or even that they have a legitimate grievance about the erasure of their school's identity. No, in Miller’s eyes, the people who literally built the reputation of the school are just being "mean."


Why the Controversy is Still at a Boiling Point


This isn't just a PR gaffe; it’s a total disconnect. By labeling a peaceful petition as "mean-spirited," President Miller has effectively signaled that the voices of the alumni carry no weight compared to the checkbook of a donor.


As you can see in the video above, even the crew at FM99 noted the disconnect in their own skewering of the situation. This controversy isn't going away. You can’t gaslight an entire community into thinking they are the "bad guys" for wanting to keep their school's name.


The takeaway is clear: If standing up for your heritage makes you "mean-spirited," then there are a whole lot of proud, "mean" Marlins out there who aren't planning on staying quiet anytime soon.

 
 
 

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