A Wesleyan university states that its name change is “final” despite push back from alumni. Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU) announced it would be officially changing its name to Batten University, effective July 1, 2026. The new name is to honor Jane Batten, whose financial contributions to the school have enabled a number of updates to the school’s educational programs. A list of Batten’s contributions included funding the state-of-the-art Greer Environmental Sciences Center at the campus, enabling the university to invest in a collaborative campus in Tokyo, Japan which has led to the Jane P. Batten & David R. Black School for International Studies at Lakeland University in Japan, and was one of two lead gifts to move the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art to VWU’s Virginia Beach campus.

The school’s board of trustees voted unanimously for the name change. Dr. Nancy DeFord, Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees made the announcement. “By embracing a name that symbolizes strength, stability, and resilience, we are proud to honor Jane Batten’s transformational contributions and set a course for a strong, new chapter in our University’s history,” said DeFord. “We are not the same institution we were 10 years ago—or even last year. The name Batten is a testament to the love, care, philanthropy, and ideas that the family has contributed to Virginia Wesleyan. Over time, we can all take a great deal of pride in carrying that name forward.”

Not everyone was thrilled with the change, however. The day after the announcement, a petition was started by alumni from the school to oppose the name change. The petition currently has over 5,000 signatures. One former alum from 2011, Devin Cowhey, stated she was surprised that there had been no notice of the intended change. “What’s shocking is that we were not involved in anything about it,” she said. She believed the name change down played the school’s Methodist roots. “I think there is such tradition and culture in that, of being affiliated with that. I understand that they say that those roots aren’t gonna change, but when you take the name out — what now signifies it?” Alumni outside a town hall on Friday to discuss the name change had similar concerns. “Oh, we were completely caught off guard,” said 1993 graduate Kim Russell. “We’d like to understand why; we’d like to see the white paper that was done that convinced Mrs.Batten to go along with this name change. We’re so appreciative of everything she’s done for the school. We think she’s amazing, but we just want to understand what got us here,” she said.

The university, however, seems determined to go forward with the change. In a statement from the school, Tina Raines, executive director of marketing and communications for VWU, confirmed that the change is “final.” “We love our alumni and take great pride in their accomplishments,” she wrote. “They will always be part of this community, and their legacy is what makes our future possible. A name like Batten—associated with nationally renowned philanthropists whose vision and generosity have shaped our University—helps us broaden our appeal while honoring the foundation alumni helped build. As President Miller explained, this decision is final.”