The Fight for Our Identity: Why the Battle for VWU Is Far from Over

For more than 60 years, the name Virginia Wesleyan has stood for more than just an institution. It has represented a community, a shared history, and a commitment to a specific set of values.

When the Board of Trustees announced the unilateral decision to change our name to "Batten University," many felt a sense of finality—a "done deal" that we were simply expected to accept. But today, we are writing to tell you something critical: The fight to Save Virginia Wesleyan is not over. In fact, it is just entering a new chapter.

A Brand is Not Bought; It’s Built

The push to rename the university isn’t just about honoring a donor; it’s about an attempt to erase the heritage of thousands of alumni, faculty, and students. While we recognize the immense generosity of the Batten family over the decades, a university’s identity belongs to its entire community—not just a select few in a boardroom.

The name change has been met with unprecedented pushback from those who know that "Virginia Wesleyan" carries a prestige and a local connection that "Batten University" simply cannot replicate overnight.

Why the Momentum is Building

If you feel like your voice hasn't been heard, you are not alone. Here is why the movement is gaining ground:

• Alumni Power: We are seeing a massive wave of alumni pledging to withhold donations and support until the identity of their alma mater is respected.

• Legal and Procedural Scrutiny: Concerned stakeholders are looking closely at the transparency of the decision-making process. Was the community truly consulted? Was the impact on the school’s "Wesleyan" heritage properly weighed?

• Community Awareness: From yard signs in Virginia Beach to viral social media campaigns, the "Saving Virginia Wesleyan" message is reaching people who didn't even realize a change was happening.

  
  

This Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Corporate-style rebrandings often rely on "fatigue." They expect the initial anger to die down and the community to eventually move on. We aren't moving on.

Institutions across the country have reversed similar decisions when the community stood firm.

We are fighting to preserve the "Wesleyan" name because it ties us to a tradition of social justice, intellectual curiosity, and Methodist values that are more relevant today than ever.

How You Can Help Right Now

The "Batten University" signs haven't replaced our history yet. Here is how you can stay in the fight:

1. Sign and Share the Petition: If you haven't already, make your voice official at SavingVirginiaWesleyan.org.

2. Contact the Board: Respectfully but firmly send emails and letters to the Board of Trustees. Let them know that Virginia Wesleyan is a name worth keeping.

3. Spread the Word: Talk to your fellow Marlins. Remind them that a vote by a committee is not the final word—the community is the final word.

   
   

Final Thoughts

Virginia Wesleyan was here before us, and it should be here—under its rightful name—long after this administration is gone. We are Marlins. We don't back down from a challenge, and we don't let our history be erased without a fight.

Keep the faith. Keep the name.

The fight continues.