Virginian-Pilot: Letters to the Editor
- News
- Sep 12
- 3 min read
From The Virginian-Pilot
As an alumnus, I’m disappointed that the handful of people who made this decision didn’t canvas the alumni, current students and staff to solicit feedback on this ambitious change.
As someone raised in the Methodist church, I’m deeply offended that the efforts of my parents and grandparents as founders of Virginia Wesleyan College have been so callously forgotten and tossed to the trash heap of history. My dad recalls making weekly pledge payments for years in the 1960s, along with the entire church, in order to build Wesleyan. He’s heartsick at this hostile takeover of what he helped establish — and that doesn’t sit well with me.
Scott Miller, VWU president, oversaw the elimination of the Methodist cross from the university seal and now he’s removing the Wesleyan name. This rebranding is a slap in the face to alumni, founders, donors, current students and staff. Thousands of alumni have already signed a petition opposing the rebranding.
Jane Batten has the power to reject this name change and leave the Wesleyan name intact. There is still time to reflect, and walk this back. To do otherwise is simply saying that personal accolades are valued above all else. And that would be a sad legacy.
Scott Straub, VWC Class of 1982, Winchester
As a proud alumnus of Virginia Wesleyan University, Class of 1980, I was shocked and saddened to learn of the proposed name change to Batten University, effective on July 1.
While I deeply appreciate the Batten family’s generous contributions, I believe the name of a respected academic institution should not be transactional. Naming rights may suit sports or entertainment, but they feel misplaced in higher education — especially at a university built on Methodist tradition and purpose.
The Batten name is already well honored on campus through several named buildings and programs. These tributes thoughtfully recognize their support without altering the university’s identity.
With sincere respect to Batten, I believe there is great dignity in declining a renaming gift in order to preserve institutional legacy.
Equally troubling is the lack of transparency surrounding this decision. A change of this scale — impacting the university’s name and identity — should include input from alumni, students, faculty and the broader community. Instead, it appears to have been decided behind closed doors.
I can’t help but think of Lambuth Clarke, the college’s second president who served from 1966 to 1992. He remarkably knew every student by name and helped shape VWU’s spirit and direction. I believe he would oppose this change, standing for heritage over rebranding.
Though I lack the financial means to influence this decision, I offer my voice and deep concern. I respectfully urge the administration to preserve the name and legacy of Virginia Wesleyan University.
Terry L. Siviter, Virginia Beach
My father Robert F. Boyd was crucial in building Virginia Wesleyan College, giving a very large part of the foundational money to start the school.
The one and only reason for naming the school after John Wesley is the tremendous spiritual influence Wesley left, leading hundreds of thousands to Christ. We want all of the students who attend this college to know about Wesley, and more importantly, the main message that he preached — to know God and his son, Jesus Christ. May The Virginian-Pilot stand against the renaming of a university titled after a hero of the Methodist faith.
Bob Boyd Jr., Norfolk
Comments