Will Methodist Traditions Hang On At A Newly Named Batten U?

We want to believe in good intentions, but what will keep Batten University tied to the school's Wesleyan roots?

In 1961, Virginia Wesleyan College was chartered with a clear identity: a Methodist-affiliated liberal arts institution dedicated to the principles of John Wesley—faith-based inquiry, social holiness, and service to the community. For over six decades, the "Wesleyan" in its name served as a compass for its mission.

However, with the 2025 announcement that the institution will rebrand as Batten University on July 1, 2026, many alumni, community members, and faithful Methodists are asking a difficult question: Can "Batten University" truly maintain a Methodist identity when it has literally erased the name of the founder from its gates?

While the administration insists the Methodist connection will endure, there are several reasons to be deeply skeptical about the long-term survival of Wesley’s principles in this "bold new chapter."

IDENTITY vs. UTILITY

In the world of higher education, names are not just labels; they are mission statements. By removing "Wesleyan," the university is making a strategic pivot toward what President Scott Miller calls a "national and international market." This shift toward a secular, philanthropic brand suggests that the "Wesleyan" identity was viewed as a regional limitation—or worse, a "confusing" brand—rather than a core value.

When an institution prioritizes the "prestige" of a donor name over the historical identity of its religious founder, the message is clear: The mission is now defined by the benefactor, not the theology.

Is Theological Turmoil A Catalyst?

The university’s own FAQ regarding the name change cited "denominational turmoil" (referring to the UMC’s debates on LGBTQ+ inclusion) as a reason for the change. While the UMC has moved toward a more inclusive stance—a move the university leadership supports—the decision to drop the name "Wesleyan" during this period feels like a strategic distancing.

If the university is willing to shed its name to avoid the "turbulence" of its parent denomination, how much of the Methodist ethic will be sacrificed the next time a core principle becomes culturally inconvenient?

It's a Financial Transaction

The rebranding honors Jane Batten for her "transformational support." While the Batten family's generosity is undeniable, the renaming signals a shift toward a "pay-to-play" institutional model. As the university integrates secular entities like the Sentara College of Health Sciences and the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art, the "Wesleyan" influence will inevitably be diluted.

The church already exerts "little financial influence or governance" over the school (as noted in recent university reports). Without financial or structural skin in the game, the Methodist affiliation becomes little more than a historical footnote—a "heritage" to be mentioned in brochures rather than a lived reality in the classroom.

Alumni see History Erased

For thousands of graduates, "Virginia Wesleyan" was a community built on a shared story. The petition "Stop Renaming Virginia Wesleyan University," which garnered over 5,500 signatures, reflects a deep-seated fear that the school’s "soul" is being traded for a "shiny new brand."

When the university tells its alumni that their degrees will now be issued under a name that didn't exist when they were students, it severs the living link between the institution and its Wesleyan past.

Wesleyan Traditions Are Important

Since President Scott Miller announced the name change in August 2025, he has dodged questions, failed to address concerns, kept the Board of Trustees silent, and quelled any whiff of dissent in the ranks.

The administration points to Epworth Campus Ministries and partnerships with local churches as proof of their enduring faith. But "Wesleyanism" is more than a campus club; it is an educational philosophy that balances the head and the heart.

As July 2026 approaches, the risk is not that Batten University will suddenly become hostile to faith. The risk is benign irrelevance. By removing John Wesley’s name, the university has signaled that its future is secular, corporate, and donor-driven. "Methodist principles" may be mentioned in the mission statement for a few more years, but without the name to anchor it, the Wesleyan spirit is likely to drift away with the changing tides of Coastal Virginia.