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Why VWU?

Virginia Wesleyan University is not simply a title—it is an identity earned through decades of academic achievement, shared values, and community trust. The name VWU represents a collective history that cannot be replaced, replicated, or renamed without lasting consequences.

 

This is why we believe the name Virginia Wesleyan University should remain unchanged.

 

A Name Built Over Time

Virginia Wesleyan College was proposed in 1959 and chartered in 1961 by Minister Joseph Johnston and the United Methodist Church.   The first classes were conducted in 1966 and the first commencement ceremony was held in 1970.   The name changed in 2017 to Virginia Wesleyan University to reflect the continued growth of the institution.  

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At the time, VWU President Scott D. Miller said, “This is the next historic step in affirming our success, raising our profile, and maximizing our potential as a top regional and national university,”

 

Brand recognition in higher education is not created overnight. It is built through:

  • Years of academic outcomes

  • Alumni success in professional fields

  • Athletic competition and national visibility

  • Community partnerships and service

  • Accreditation, rankings, and media coverage

 

Virginia Wesleyan University has invested decades into building this recognition. A name change would reset that equity, forcing the institution to rebuild what already exists—at significant financial and reputational cost.

 

The Value of “Wesleyan”

The word Wesleyan is not incidental—it is foundational.

It reflects:

  • The university’s Methodist heritage

  • A commitment to ethical leadership and service

  • An educational philosophy centered on the whole person

  • A culture rooted in purpose, reflection, and responsibility

 

Removing “Wesleyan” weakens the philosophical framework that distinguishes VWU from countless other institutions and risks disconnecting the university from its original mission.

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Our group exists to:

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the lighthouse on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan

Alumni Identity and Degree Integrity

Thousands of graduates earned degrees from Virginia Wesleyan University—not Batten University.
 

A university’s name is permanently tied to:

  • Diplomas and transcripts

  • Professional credentials

  • Graduate school applications

  • Employer recognition

  • Lifelong alumni identity

 

Changing the name introduces confusion and diminishes the clarity and consistency of alumni credentials. Alumni did not choose—or consent to—a different institutional identity after graduation.

 

Community Recognition and Trust

Within Hampton Roads and across Virginia, the VWU name carries meaning.

  • Regional employers know VWU graduates

  • Local schools and organizations partner with VWU

  • Community members recognize the institution’s contributions

 

A name change risks eroding this trust and replacing clarity with uncertainty—particularly in a region where institutional reputation is closely tied to local engagement.

 

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Philanthropy Should Strengthen—Not Redefine

Transformational gifts can and should:

  • Expand academic programs

  • Fund scholarships

  • Improve facilities

  • Enhance student experiences

 

But philanthropy should support the institution’s mission, not redefine its identity.

Honoring donors does not require renaming the university itself. Many respected institutions preserve their names while recognizing benefactors through schools, colleges, centers, and endowments—allowing generosity and legacy to coexist.

 

Stability in a Time of Change

Higher education is facing unprecedented challenges:

  • Enrollment declines

  • Financial pressures

  • Increased competition

  • Public skepticism

 

In times like these, stability matters. Maintaining a known, trusted institutional name is a strategic advantage—not a limitation.

 

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Virginia Wesleyan University already has:

  • Established brand equity

  • Recognizable academic standing

  • A loyal alumni base

Abandoning that stability introduces unnecessary risk.

 

What “VWU” Represents

The name Virginia Wesleyan University stands for:

  • Academic rigor with personal attention

  • Values-based education

  • A strong sense of community

  • A shared history that connects generations

  • An institution greater than any single donor, leader, or moment

It represents who we are, where we came from, and why this university matters.

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Why VWU—Now and Always

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The question is not whether the university should grow or evolve.

 

The real question is:
Can Virginia Wesleyan University move forward without losing itself?

 

We believe a name change to Batten University would cause significant damage to the foundation that's been built.

 

Growth does not require erasure. Progress does not require renaming. Legacy and innovation can—and should—exist together.

 

That is why we stand for VWU.

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