The Marlin Chronicle

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The Marlin Chronicle

The Marlin Chronicle is the official student newspaper of Virginia Wesleyan University.

19/09/2025

"The Fantastic Four: First Steps" hit this summer as the studio's latest attempt at beating a dead Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) horse. Learn more in The Marlin Chronicle.

18/09/2025

The Lighthouse, a resource hub in Clarke Hall, has three new faces this semester. The space welcomes students looking for support and guidance in the form of tutoring and academic advising. Learn more in The Marlin Chronicle.

17/09/2025

Students were welcomed back the week of Aug. 25 with a lineup of events across campus. The Harbor Grill held a Learning Mindfulness and Game-apalooza, while Grillin' with the Greeks and Paint Dodgeball were in outdoor areas. Learn more in The Marlin Chronicle.

15/09/2025

As Virginia Wesleyan University begins its transition to Batten University, the institution confronts logistics to make it possible. Learn more in The Marlin Chronicle.

14/09/2025

On July 1, 2026, Virginia Wesleyan University will become Batten University. Since this announcement, alumni have contested the name change. Learn more in The Marlin Chronicle.

11/09/2025

The new issue of The Marlin Chronicle is out now!! Available online and at any campus newsstand.

09/09/2025

Mark your calendars for the newest issue of The Marlin Chronicle coming out September 11th! You won't want to miss it.

04/09/2025

Following confirmation from President Scott Miller that the name change to Batten University is final, alumni who oppose the change have continued to challenge it through digital expression and an in-person demonstration.
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Virginia Wesleyan alumni organized a protest in opposition to the name change to Batten University outside campus gates on Aug. 29, to precede a Town Hall meeting in which the change would be discussed among faculty and staff.

Coordinating efforts to challenge the change primarily occurred on a Facebook group titled “Stop the Renaming of Virginia Wesleyan.” Devin Cowhey ‘10 created the group, which has around 1,200 members as of Sept. 3.

Andrew Mullen ‘71 said he participated in the 12 p.m. protest with other members of the first three graduating classes of Virginia Wesleyan, including Tom Brett ‘72 and Suzy Brett ‘73, “to make sure that we had a nice turnout here today to let people know what we think.”

“We were aware that [the protest] was coming, and we appreciate people’s right to disagree with the decision,” President Scott Miller said in an interview with The Marlin Chronicle on Sept. 3.

Read more online at https://marlinchronicle.vwu.edu/

28/08/2025

Thank you for your patience in awaiting coverage from The Marlin Chronicle on the name change to Batten University. As the semester begins, so have our weekly staff meetings. We are working diligently to provide quality coverage that is informative, thorough and without bias.

According to Chief of Staff Kelly Cordova, The Marlin Chronicle staff is not permitted entry to the Town Hall meeting on Aug. 29 or any other faculty and staff meeting pertaining to the transition to Batten University.

We remain dedicated to reporting on this story through new angles and including as many perspectives as possible. As we organize interviews, our contact list is growing daily.

Our first issue of the semester will include two news articles on the story, one which addresses the operational logistics of the rebranding and another which addresses the community impact. This issue is set to release on Sept. 11.

25/08/2025

Happy first day of classes for the 2025-26 school year!

Now is a more pivotal time than ever to be a part of our student press. Join and contribute to the media that will tell the stories of our community and record our history.

Our first all-staff meeting is tomorrow at 5:30 in Batten 217 and it is open to all students. We’d love to see you there!

24/08/2025

The State of the University, held on Aug. 20, announced that Virginia Wesleyan University will change its name to Batten University, effective July 1, 2026. Board of Trustees Chair Nancy T. DeFord broke the news alongside President Scott D. Miller to a live audience of nearly 500 in Townebank Arena and more online.

The event’s presentation emphasized Virginia Wesleyan’s growth in the past 10 years and how the name change aligns with the continued pursuit of its vision.

A page on the university website accompanied the announcement, offering additional background on the decision to change the name.

Without specifying the origin of the idea to change names, the website attributes the decision to a unanimous vote from the board of trustees.

The to-be namesake of the institution, Jane P. Batten, is a philanthropist whose family name is deeply intertwined with the university, the Virginia Commonwealth and environmentally driven education. Batten, at the State of the University, said the name change was not her idea and she required convincing.

“After months of discussions, I have sincerely come to believe that the change to Batten University will be a very positive move for the institution, its students and this region,” Batten said.

Since the announcement, some alumni have expressed their dislike toward the name change and challenged its necessity. Community members on social media have vocalized that they feel alienated or upset.

FAQs on the website include information on the university’s intentions to honor the legacy of Virginia Wesleyan, the continued affiliation with the Methodist Church and how alumni can receive updated diplomas.

The Marlin Chronicle will continue following this story as it develops and our staff return for the semester.

We are welcoming interviews at this time. Please message our account or reach us by email at [email protected] if you are interested in providing a statement.

01/07/2025

Smack dab in the middle of the quaint and quiet Botetourt Gardens, Tidewater Blues throws down to the sounds of the greats in blues music, as well as contemporaries. Learn more in The Marlin Chronicle.

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