Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Hold Alternate Homecoming In Protest
- Staff
- Oct 4, 2025
- 3 min read
It was a tale of two homecomings.
October 4, 2025 was marked on many calendars as Virginia Wesleyan Homecoming, but this year there were two options for supporting the school.
The spirit of Virginia Wesleyan wasn't just found on campus. Instead, a powerful alternative celebration took place off-campus, as hundreds of alumni gathered to send a clear message: Our history is not for sale.
While the university administration moved forward with official festivities, a dedicated group of Marlins organized an "Alternative Homecoming." The goal was simple but profound: to celebrate the 50-plus year legacy of Virginia Wesleyan University and protest the controversial decision to rename the institution Batten University in 2026.
Local media covered a well-organized Virginia Wesleyan Alumni event at Shorebreak Pizza and Taphouse in Virginia Beach. For those gathered together, the name change represents more than just a new letterhead. It’s a erasure of the "brick-by-brick" history built by the United Methodist Church and the thousands of students who competed, studied, and graduated under the Wesleyan name.
“Virginia Wesleyan is where it is today because of my father and my uncle,” Charla Smith-Worley, a 1972 Virginia Wesleyan graduate told WAVY. “That was their farm.”
Smith-Worley’s family provided acres of land for the university. Other graduates are grateful for the opportunities Virginia Wesleyan provided them.
“I’m a retired Methodist pastor with a lot of years in the Methodist Church, but also a retired Navy chaplain,” said 1980 Virginia Wesleyan graduate Charles Rowley, “and I got all of that from my training at Virginia Wesleyan, and I appreciate what they gave to me, and I, like others, feel like that’s all being wiped away with a name change.”
"We want them to see and feel the hurt and disappointment of the alumni," said Devin Cowhey.
"Nothing has meant more to me than my experience at Virginia Wesleyan," said Bob Valvano, a school Hall of Famer, during the weekend’s events. "They’re wiping it out by doing this, no matter what they say."
The sentiment was shared by graduates spanning decades, from the earliest classes of the 1970s to recent alumni from the 2020s. The primary grievances cited by the Saving Virginia Wesleyan movement include:
A Lack of Transparency: Alumni felt "blindsided" by an announcement they claim was made without meaningful community input.
Devaluation of Degrees: Concerns that the "Batten University" name lacks the historical weight and regional recognition of Virginia Wesleyan.
The Loss of Identity: A belief that the school is trading its soul for philanthropic contributions, despite the Batten family’s undeniable generosity over the years.
The protest wasn't just about what alumni didn't do (attend on-campus events); it was about what they did do. The weekend featured:
Off-Campus Gatherings: Creating spaces where the "Wesleyan" name was celebrated without the looming shadow of the rebrand.
The Gate Rally: A peaceful demonstration at the campus entrance on Saturday, where alumni held signs and shared stories of what the original name means to them.
Global Solidarity: While many gathered in Virginia Beach, others across the country shared their support on social media, using the weekend to boost a petition that has now garnered nearly 6,000 signatures.
Despite the administration's stance that the name change is a "bold step forward" for the university's survival in a competitive market, the "Alternative Homecoming" proved that the alumni voice is far from silenced. As the official transition date of July 1, 2026, draws closer, the Saving Virginia Wesleyan group remains committed to legal and social advocacy.
The message of October 4 was clear: You can change the sign at the gate, but you cannot change the hearts of the people who built the legacy.
Comments