VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Wesleyan University will be renamed Batten University in 2026 in honor of the contributions of Jane Batten and her family, the university announced on Wednesday.

This renaming proposal was unanimously approved by the university's board of trustees — it will take effect on July 1, 2026. This will coincide with the opening of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art and the university's integration — pending accreditation approval — with the Sentara College of Health Sciences

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Officials from the college made this announcement during an event highlighting the impact of the Batt

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