Jordan Crallé|Marlin Chronicle THURSDAY 10.30.25|| MARLINCHRONICLE.VWU.EDU
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
‘No-Home Homecoming’ competes with university events Alumni who feel at odds with the university say Homecoming festivities hold new implications. Carter Kellam|Marlin Chronicle Similar to the Aug. 29 rally, alumni against the impending university name change came to protest outside campus gates on Oct. 4 with signs and custom merchandise — getting attention in the form of beeps from passing drivers and coverage from local news outlets. BY LILY RESLINK & ISAAC FICK lbreslink@vwu.edu ihfick@vwu.edu
Without university affiliation, alumni organized events separate from Virginia Wesleyan’s 2025 Homecoming Weekend, Oct. 3-5. Alumni planned what they called “No-Home Homecoming” as an expression of disconnection from their alma mater. “We thought [No-Home Homecoming] was important, since the President wouldn’t speak to any of us directly, ... to sort of make a stand and show that it actually matters, and it’s not just one person, and it’s not just nostalgia; It’s
real, tangible issues,” rally participant Amy Gallup Klann ‘89 said. Concurrent with campus-affiliated events, No-Home Homecoming invited alumni to gather at Shorebreak Pizza & Taphouse, the campus entrance, Cova Brewing Co. & Coffee House and Scott Memorial United Methodist Church during Homecoming weekend. Participants largely attributed the disconnect with their alma mater to the university’s name change to Batten University and criticism of administrative leadership. As part of No-Home Homecoming, alumni gathered outside campus gates on Oct. 4 for the second time after the
name change announcement. “I’m here to rally with fellow alumni and just to make our voices heard. It’s very disheartening when you kind of built your identity around your college,” Michelle Asaro Maxfield ‘93 said. First-year Enrollment Counselor Zion Purvis Allen ‘24 said for those who oppose the name change, “I completely understand where the discomfort could come from, but I’m excited about what this could bring for the years to come.”
See HOCO Page 3
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle The university promotes the Sacred Spaces Tour with Drs. Larry Hultgren and Stephen Mansfield on Hoco Weekend by decorating the John Wesley statue on campus.
Resigned or removed?
BY ISAAC FICK & LILY RESLINK ihfick@vwu.edu lbreslink@vwu.edu
While the university said she resigned from the Alumni Council, Kim Mayo ‘98 said she learned second-hand about her removal from the position.
Kim Mayo|Courtesy Kim Mayo [RIGHT] and her classmate meet at Shorebreak for an alumni-organized gathering.
Student-athlete writes kids’ book Austin Smith finds his voice in publishing his first children’s book: “Rise Up Ronnie.”
Former Alumni Council member Kim Mayo ‘98 said she learned that the university website no longer listed her as a member of the alumni council via messages from friends on Oct. 13. Contrary to the university’s account, Mayo said she planned to complete her term on the council. “I did not resign from the Alumni Council,” Mayo said. “I was kicked off the Alumni Council.” Mayo said she emailed
Chief of Staff Kelly Cordova on Oct. 14 asking why her name was no longer listed. Alumni-run social media accounts shared Cordova’s email response to Mayo, which said her public statements and actions indicated she did not wish to be involved with the university or its future. In the email, Cordova said she accepted Mayo’s recent activity as her “de facto resignation,” and asked Mayo to inform her if this was a misinterpretation.
See ALUMNA Page 3
Inside Look: VWU returns Nansemond Nation artifacts The Nansemond Indian Nation reclaimed ancestral artifacts held by the university for nearly 60 years in a Peace Garden ceremony on Oct. 23.
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Ashley Cayon|Marlin Chronicle
‘Why waste time knowing about yourself?’
Editor Victoria Haneline reviews VWU’s production of ‘The Wolves.’
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Laila Jones|Marlin Chronicle
Championship or bust? Women’s Volleyball dominates -- Page 8
Austin Smith|Courtesy BY KAMI WHISENHUNT khwhisenhunt@vwu.edu
Senior media and communication major Austin Smith never planned to write his first children’s book mid-flight. But on a
trip to visit his best friend in Minnesota, inspiration struck, and he finished the final draft of “Rise Up Ronnie” before the plane even landed.
See AUTHOR Page 7
Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle
Putting AI to work: a full page spread on AI -- Page 2