Virginia Wesleyan University to be renamed Batten University 

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – Virginia Wesleyan University is becoming Batten University in honor of Jane Batten and the Batten family. 

According to a news release from the university, the Board of Trustees voted to rename the University in honor of the Batten family, “whose commitment to the institution began in 1978.” 

The name change takes effect in 2026.  

10 On Your Side was called to University President Scott Miller’s office on the condition we would not report this major news until the official announcement was made during a celebration held Wednesday afternoon as part of the 2025 State of the University: A Special Celebration of the Batten Legacy. Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer was among those in attendance.  

Miller reflected on the outstanding contributions of Frank and Jane Batten and the Batten family. 

“So, the Board of Trustees of Virginia Wesleyan voted unanimously in February of 2025 to change the name to Batten University in recognition of the visionary philanthropist and her family, who have been so impactful to the life and the programming of this institution,
Miller said, “most particularly over the last 10 years, but dating back to 1978, when Jane and Frank Batten’s daughter Mary enrolled here as a student.”  

The video above is WAVY Reporter Andy Fox’s interview with Virginia Wesleyan University President Scott Miller.

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Miller said the honor of the school’s name change is so fitting due to the unmatched love the Batten family has for Virginia Wesleyan University.

“It’s not a need, it’s a desire,” Miller said. “I think our board and I both, we agree that there is no individual who has been more impactful for the ethos of this institution, the academic philosophy and programs, in addition to the physical presence and look of this campus, than Jane Batten. She has impacted who we are as an institution and yes, has guided us through generous gifts that have made it a beautiful campus, but has also impacted programs and the people here.”    

During WAVY’s interview with Miller, he took us down the Batten history trail.

“Their first major gift in 1998 that funded the Jane P. Batten Student Center that opened in 2002,” Miller said. “There is no student, faculty or staff member that has not been impacted by the generosity of this family.”  

VWU was founded in 1961, opened at its campus on Wesleyan Drive in 1966, awarded its first degrees in 1970 and welcomed Batten’s involvement in 1978, “There’s nobody who’s been more impactful to this institution than Jane. And this is an appropriate opportunity for us to recognize her generosity, her vision.”  

WAVY asked Miller if the total gift from the Battens over the years has ever been tabulated.

“Yes, it has, but I’m not allowed to share,” Miller said, “but if you look at the Batten Legacy, you can add it up.” 

“Jane’s an extremely humble individual,” Miller said. “She doesn’t want the focus to be on dollars. She has seen things and reacted to situations and funded opportunities that are impactful for students and wants there to be less focus on the dollars and cents.”

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When Jane Batten showed up to the celebration Wednesday, she was running a little late due to a fender bender. She would speak about it at the name change.

“As exciting as this day is, do you realize one hour ago I was in a traffic accident on my way here,” Batten said. “Fortunately, it was a fender bender, but unnerving with a very large emergency vehicle. … They were the most professional, kind, nice police people, medical people, firemen. They were just outstanding. … We were explaining to these people I had to get away from there, but they had to go through their routine, but the police woman in charge whispered to me, ‘I’m a Virginia Wesleyan graduate,’ so that just made my day.”

Already inspired by Batten, there were lots of students in attendance who are students at the Batten Honors College. These students are some of the brightest students Virginia Wesleyan University could find, and they were there thanks to her — 25 students’ tuition paid in full for four years, with another 25 getting three-fourths of their tuition paid for. 

“She is always there,” said third-year student Gabrielle Barnett. “I think about her every time I walk into our village, I think about her every time I do my homework, I always think about her when I put on these polos.” 

John Malbon, a member of the school’s Board of Trustees that unanimously decided to change the name to Batten University, said if not for Batten, “I’m not sure the school would be here, certainly not to this level without her commitment and her influence.” 

Look what Batten has accomplished — a list read by her dear friend Miller, who read off the list: 

• The Greer Environmental Sciences Center  
• The Batten Honors College  
• The Environmental Guiding Principles  
• The Beacon  
• The Batten & Black School for International Studies in Tokyo Japan  
• The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art at VWU 
• Largest Endowment Gift in School History. 

“It is my profound pleasure to announce effective July 1, 2026, Virginia Wesleyan will become Batten University,” said Dr. Nancy DeFord, chairwoman of the Virginia Wesleyan University board of trustees to loud applause.  

Batten is well aware some are opposed to this change, and she made it clear it was not her decision, but she also made something else clear.

“Building on our Methodist history of service and education, this university will just become a better version of itself,” Batten said to applause.  

She also spoke about the Beacon, which will remain part of the school’s logo. 

“Our school will be a beacon for environmental and social justice,” Batten said, “graduating students that are principled problem solvers to face the challenges of this very fractured world.” 

Some highlights 

THE BATTEN HONORS COLLEGE 
Enrolls 160 students a year that are the best and the brightest from all over the world. 80 of them are on full tuition scholarships, 80 of them are on three fourths tuition scholarships. The Batten Honors College was founded by Jane in 2016.  

JANE P. BATTEN AND DAVID R. BLACK SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
In 2024, Jane Batten chartered the Jane P. Batten and David R. Black School for International Studies in Tokyo Japan. Over 400 students are enrolled at the school.  

The school is based at Virginia Wesleyan University and Lakeland University’s (WI) campus in Tokyo, Japan. 

President Miller added, “As part of a student’s enrollment in the Batten Honors College, as a part of their tuition, they have the ability to study in Tokyo, Japan, as a part of their scholarships.”  

GREER ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CENTER
The 44,000 square foot facility has four large teaching laboratories related to the Earth’s four spheres: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere.

“That is what got us going. 2015 when I arrived Jane made the contribution to build what she calls a world class, second-to-none facility that will address the environment,” said Dr. Miller.

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The Batten scholarships have helped thousands of students achieve their university education for several decades now. 

“Thank you, Jane Batten. The last 10 years that I’ve had as president at Virginia Wesleyan have been the most rewarding of my 35 years as a college president,” Miller said. “I can’t thank her enough for her friendship and for buying into our vision for the future of the institution.”

The official name change from Virginia Wesleyan University to Batten University will take effect July 1, 2026. After that date, all diplomas will reflect the Batten University name. 

As WAVY has reported, the University is also integrating the Sentara College of Health Sciences at the beginning of 2026, pending accreditation approval. The institution was founded in 1892. The college will house all existing degree and certificate programs.