VWU to BU: Bought or Beloved?
- brittanyperry
- Aug 27
- 2 min read
Virginia Wesleyan University is changing its name to Batten University in 2026. VWU to BU. And not Baylor, before anyone gets confused. Honestly? This feels ridiculous to me. Let me explain why.
First things first: the money.
Someone donated enough money to a school that they’re changing the entire name after them. Let’s be real—this isn’t a “thank you plaque in the student center” kind of donation. This is buying the naming rights to an entire institution.
And yes, I know Jane Batten has done a lot for VWU. I’m not here to tear down a woman who has spent her life giving. But let’s not act like the timing doesn’t raise eyebrows. She’s in her 80s. I hate to sound harsh, but you really think nobody is considering legacy here? When billionaires make massive gifts this late in life, it’s not just generosity—it’s legacy building. And what does it look like from the outside? To me, it looks like the school has been bought. Which makes me, as a student, feel like I’ve been bought too.
The soul of VWU.
The name “Wesleyan” isn’t just a word slapped on the letterhead. It’s tied to the Methodist tradition, to the ethics and morals that were supposed to shape this campus community. With “Wesleyan” stripped away, what happens to that identity? Will students still gather for Sunday services and Wednesday Bible studies? Or will that part of campus slowly fade into the background as “Batten” becomes the brand?
I can’t help but feel like taking “Wesleyan” out of the name takes a piece of the soul with it. For students who chose this school because of its faith connection, that feels like betrayal.
Alumni, let’s talk.
The university insists this won’t erase anyone’s history. But come on. Alumni didn’t graduate from “Batten University.” Their diplomas say Virginia Wesleyan. Their sports jerseys, their theater programs, their memories—they all say VWU. Now what? Do they order new diplomas like they’re returning an Amazon package? Do they rewrite their own history every time they explain where they went to school?
You can’t rebrand decades of life experience. Period.
Current students: caught in the middle.
And what about us? The ones here right now, watching professors pour their hearts out about the legacy of Virginia Wesleyan? How are we supposed to embrace Batten University when we signed up for VWU?
To make it worse, the university literally blocked the student paper from attending the town hall meeting about the name change. Why? If this is such a proud moment, why hide it? Why silence the voices of the very people living through this transition?
Here’s the bottom line.
This isn’t just a name change. It’s an identity shift, a question of whether tradition can be bought, and a test of how much a name really matters. For me, it feels like Virginia Wesleyan sold its soul to the highest bidder. And when the dust settles, I have to wonder:
What’s really left of Virginia Wesleyan?
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