THURSDAY 9.11.25|| MARLINCHRONICLE.VWU.EDU
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Making the transition
to Batten University Reactions, considerations and decades of backstory emerge from the institution’s decision to change names from Virginia Wesleyan University to Batten University.
Laila Jones|Marlin Chronicle BY ISAAC FICK & LILY RESLINK ihfick@vwu.edu lbreslink@vwu.edu
On July 1, 2026, Virginia Wesleyan University will become Batten University. Since this announcement, alumni have contested the name change. On the day of the announcement, Devin Cowhey ‘10 created a petition asking the university to “reconsider this decision and maintain the name that resonates with generations.”It rose from 800 signatures in a few hours to 3,800 in a week to over 5,700 as of Sept. 9. “Some people who disagreed took a mode of communication that is so un-Wesleyan-like,” President of the University Dr. Scott D. Miller said. Many alumni expressed their initial reactions: shock and surprise. Stewart Howe ‘07 said when he heard the news of the change, “I thought it was a joke at first.” Andrew Edwards ‘98 said, “Once
the reality of it set in, like most alumni, I felt a sense of loss.” Edwards said when he heard the news in real time, he also thought it was a joke. Crosson Miller ‘25 found out about the name change hours after the announcement from the university’s initial Instagram post. He described his reaction as “shock and disbelief.” Howe questioned why they made the change: “Didn’t they just become VWU not too long ago? Isn’t the Batten name already recognized on campus buildings?” Dr. Miller said this change is a recognition of what the Batten family means to the university. In a Sept. 3 interview with The Marlin Chronicle, he said, “Quite candidly, years ago when the institution was on the brink, it was the Battens who really saved this place. “I hate to say that if the Battens
Isaac Fick|Marlin Chronicle Jane Batten and Chair of the Board of Trustees Nancy T. DeFord during a prayer at the State of the University on Aug. 20.
Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle Alumni protested the name change outside campus gates on Aug. 29.
hadn’t gotten involved, I really question whether Virginia Wesleyan would be here today.” According to Dr. Miller, Batten has been the most pivotal individual in the institution’s history. “No president, no church, no other donor — Jane Batten is the single greatest driving factor in the history of the school, and is very deserving to have her name, or as she puts it, the name of her family, on this institution,” Dr. Miller said. “I think they should put more emphasis on her and show [that] this woman is the most ethical billionaire of our time. This is why we are naming the school after her: because she has helped out thousands and she’s donated millions of dollars to our local institutions,” sophomore Lynsey Cox said. “Go up and down the great private institutions, and many of them were named after philanthropists,” Dr. Miller said. “Jesus told a rich man to give away his money, and that’s precisely what Jane Batten has been doing for decades,” Edwards said, adding how it is to the benefit of students. “I have been ashamed and embarrassed by alumni reactions accusing the Batten family of buying our beloved alma mater. “I would ask those who are attacking [Jane Batten] personally to think of what kind of a person it would take for such a momentous and unanimous decision to be made by the board,” Edwards said. Batten was the chair of the Board of Trustees when Edwards was a student. “She really is a remarkable person who believes in higher education in general and the mission of Virginia Wesleyan in particular. Everyone who has met her will say the same thing,” Edwards said. Oliver Chauncey-Heine ‘24 said he has seen untrue assumptions about Batten in social media comments, and his initial negative
reaction was undone by research into the name change. “She said she was embarrassed to have a university named after her family,” but Chauncey-Heine said this could be a positive response to flattery. “I hope Jane Batten feels that Batten University embodies the name, and that she hasn’t been hurt by alumni comments.”
“No president, no church, no other donor — Jane Batten is the single greatest driving factor in the history of the school, and is very deserving to have her name, or as she puts it, the name of her family, on this institution.” President Scott D. Miller “In all the video interviews, Jane Batten was pretty vocal about feeling uncomfortable with the situation,” Crosson Miller said. “Why did we go out of our way to convince her to change it?” For Chauncey-Heine, Batten herself is a primary reason for supporting the name change. “She’s a pioneer for environmental justice; she’s pro-critical thinking and proeducation in a way that speaks to Batten University’s mission to help students succeed.” Howe said he believes the university’s “attempts to restructure debt, change their image, forge a new path, build a brighter future, etc. ... is an exercise in futility masked in adoration.” Veni Fields ‘00 said a lack of consultation amplified the reaction: “What shocked all of us was that no one was consulted about the change outside the upper echelon — no alumni query went out, and even faculty currently on campus learned with the rest of the world that this was even a thing.”
See BATTEN Page 2
C.J. Sholler retires after 20 years “She loves the place, loves the people.”
BY VICTORIA HANELINE vfhaneline1@vwu.edu
C.J. Sholler, assistant to the director of Security and the face of the Campus Security office for the past 20 years, retired the week before Labor Day. Her plan is to go on an eight day retirement cruise in the Caribbean with her sister. After that, she will look for a part-time job and volunteer at the humane society. Her favorite part of the job was “working with my kids
Inside Look:
— the students.” “Makes me feel good when they come into my office, especially when they come in just to say ‘hi,’” Sholler said. “I’m really going to miss them.” “C.J. is an example of the quality of person, regardless of whether they’re faculty, staff or student, that this institution attracts and values,” Keith Moore, senior vice president, said. Moore was in the room with her when she was hired 20 years ago.
See C.J. Page 5
Kami Whisenhunt|Marlin Chronicle C.J. on her last day in the office. Soon after, she planned to go on a retirement cruise.
Involvement Fair: Coach Jones represents Operational Student photo highlights VWU in Stars and Stripes plans unfold Classic victory amid name transition
Ashley Cayon|Marlin Chronicle
-- Page 3
--- Page 4
Carter Kellam|Marlin Chronicle
-- Page 7