A VWU sign exemplifying what will be replaced across campus.
Photo: Isaac Fick | Marlin Chronicle
As Virginia Wesleyan University begins its transition to Batten University, the institution confronts the operational logistics to make it possible. Chief Operations Officer Jason Seward said to ensure a smooth transition near July 1, 2026, “there’s a lot of groundwork that happens: meeting with different vendors to have things in place.”
President Scott D. Miller said this transition does not happen with a flip of a switch, and every part of the process has been adequately timed to “address all the nuts and bolts, from replacing signs on campus and letterheads to notifying properly all the different organizations and community groups.”
“We’ll have a game plan,” Seward said. The rebrand transition will take about a week, according to Seward, because there is “a lot of signage,” but the vendor is capable and does projects for other institutions, businesses and international corporations.
He said his biggest priority is ensuring that the transition is seamless. “We say we’re going to become Batten University on July 1 — we’re going to become Batten University on July 1,” Seward said.
Freshman Somer Herrera said because the Virginia Wesleyan name is across campus, “they would have to scrape letters off signs and replace them or repaint many areas on campus.”
Alumna Brooke Morris ‘23 said rebranding signage, merch and team uniforms will be expensive. She asked where the money is coming from and if this is the best use of funds.
Junior Avery Lewis said, “Changing the name of the school will require a new gym floor, all new sports jerseys, new signage everywhere, the list goes on. Students are confused why we aren’t using the money for more pressing issues like the lack of parking and the mold in dorms.”
The money will not come out of institutional funds or tuition, according to Seward and Miller. “This will all come from private gifts that have been received to fund this transition,” Seward said. Miller said 13 individuals provided the money for rebranding.
From inventorying signage and wording on glass to uniforms and scoreboards, “you name it, he’s done it,” Miller said about Seward’s process.
Miller said not everything Virginia Wesleyan is changing. “No, the banners in the gym don’t come down. They won the national championships and the honors as Virginia Wesleyan College or University. They’ll remain that,” Miller said. “The cornerstones in buildings that say Virginia Wesleyan College or University will remain that. Virginia Wesleyan remains a part of our heritage, and we’re not ignoring it. We’re not erasing it. We’re not doing away with it.”
Morris expressed concern with requesting an updated diploma. Miller said transcripts will still read Virginia Wesleyan University or College. In a section of the university’s FAQs page regarding the name change, it says that while Virginia Wesleyan diplomas will remain valid and respected, graduates may request a Batten University diploma after July 1.
Morris said “it’s not just an offering,” and “fails to include the cost that will likely be associated with a new diploma.”
“We haven’t really gotten to that,” Miller said. He said the university did not charge for new diplomas during the switch from College to University, “It was anybody who made a contribution. We would give them a free copy.”
Institution-branded mousepads are one example of a tangible update that comes with renaming the university.
Photo: Isaac Fick | Marlin Chronicle
Updated university merchandise, according to Seward, will arrive before the name change is implemented and will include freebies for students. He said there will also be a Batten University T-shirt, polo and hoodie at the store soon.
“I spent money on full price VWU merch only for the name to be changed a week after,” Herrera said. She said she thinks this affects other students who did the same.
Seward said the university store will climb to a 50% sale near Thanksgiving and Winter Break.
“While VWU and their departments get a flashy new makeover, the freshmen students are living in moldy dorms, the commuter students don’t have parking and the graduation rate teeters at 50%,” Morris said.
“Nothing is being taken away from our needs,” Seward said. According to Seward, the university is investing $10 million from a tax-exempt bond to upgrade infrastructure and facilities. “We just completed half a million dollar renovations to the shower rooms and bathrooms in Gum and Smithdeal Hall,” Seward said.
He said he recalls the name change discussion going back more than a decade. “I know it was discussed when we talked about switching from College to University, making the change then, but it just wasn’t the right time,” Seward said.
Miller said when he arrived in 2015, the change had been discussed years before. In 2016, “several key individuals indicated to me that if we were to ever go down that route, that we needed to be prepared from a branding and marketing standpoint,” Miller said.
“When we rolled out the university name, the Virginia Beach location and the lighthouse as a part of the logo, it was all done that year with the idea that if we transitioned the name at some point, that it would be more seamless from a branding standpoint,” Miller said.
“The conversation has been there and hasn’t deterred or taken away that focus on things that I want to accomplish in facilities that would enhance the student experience,” Seward said.
“Everyone’s hot topic’s probably the elevator in the apartments,” Seward said. The apartment building’s elevator is currently out of order. “It frustrates me. And right now, it’s nothing we’re doing.”
He said it’s an outside manufacturer that has the parts, resources and ability to fix or replace the elevator. “We’ve got to make it right, and we’ve got to address it, and that’s what we’re working with,” Seward said.
Seward said there are other upgrades planned, including new heating and cooling systems, roofing on the Jane P. Batten Student Center, LED lighting, painting and replacing institutional furniture in residential halls.
By: Isaac Fick
ihfick@vwu.edu
