Nearly a year after first announcing plans to change the name of Virginia Wesleyan University, officials at the now Batten University have made the switch official.
The new name, effective July 1, is a tribute to Jane Batten and the Batten family, who have given their time and money to the university since 1978—contributions that the university says have “strengthened programs, enhanced facilities and created opportunities for thousands of students.” The Batten name was already attached to several campus buildings and programs.
“It is impossible to imagine Virginia Wesleyan’s story without the Batten family,” Batten President Scott D. Miller said in a university news release.
Miller and others gathered Tuesday night to celebrate the transition. Miller and other university officials have said the name change reflects “a bold vision for the future” of the institution, which is expanding its footprint in the Virginia Beach region and abroad . Most recently, its accreditor signed off on plans to acquire the nearby Sentara College of Health Sciences
They also hope that the new name will give the university a boost in recruiting.
“The Batten name also elevates our visibility and reputation,” officials wrote on a web page about the change. “It is distinctive and free of confusion often associated with ‘Wesleyan,’ and it aligns us with a philanthropic family whose leadership and values are widely respected. This clarity strengthens our standing in national and international markets, helping us attract students, donors, and partners.”
Some alumni have taken issue with the decision to change the Virginia Wesleyan name, arguing in an online petition that it “strips away that identity, erases its Methodist roots, and severs the alumni connection that so many of us hold dear.” Supporters of the moniker protested Tuesday night with a funeral-themed event, according to a local television station .