Formerly VWU, Batten University acquires Sentara College of Health Sciences

Batten University, formerly Virginia Wesleyan University, announced Wednesday — the day it officially adopted its new name — that it acquired Sentara College of Health Sciences.

The acquisition follows approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges on June 11. Effective Wednesday, Sentara College of Health Sciences became an operating division of Batten University while continuing to operate as a separate college pending final approval from the U.S. Department of Education.

The announcement marks the latest milestone in a transition that has been in the works for more than a year. Sentara announced in April 2025 that it would discontinue degree programs at Sentara College of Health Sciences and move those courses to state and regional universities. Then in June, Sentara and VWU announced plans to create a joint health sciences college, and in August said the Sentara College of Health Sciences of Virginia Wesleyan University would launch Jan. 1.

However, a March notice to prospective students provided additional details, describing a phased process tied to regulatory approvals. Wednesday’s announcement said the acquisition had taken effect while noting that final approval from the U.S. Department of Education is still needed to complete the merger. Until that approval is granted, Sentara College of Health Sciences will continue operating as a separate college with its own degree authorization, accreditation and participation in federal student aid programs.

The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, and the college did not immediately respond to requests for comment seeking additional information.

Founded in 1892, Sentara College of Health Sciences has graduated more than 9,500 alumni who serve communities throughout Virginia and beyond. The college is currently located in Chesapeake, and its programs will continue to be offered there while also expanding onto the Batten campus in Virginia Beach.

Batten described the acquisition as a strategic investment.

“University leaders have emphasized the growing demand for nurses and allied health professionals across coastal Virginia,” the university said. “By bringing together the strengths of both institutions, Batten is expanding educational capacity, enhancing facilities and technology, increasing faculty resources and strengthening student support services.”

According to Batten, priorities for the college include addressing healthcare workforce needs in coastal Virginia and the commonwealth, expanding access to nursing and health sciences education, strengthening partnerships with healthcare providers to support clinical training and preserving the college’s legacy while positioning it for future growth.

The acquisition marks the first major announcement under the university’s new identity. Virginia Wesleyan University announced in August 2025 that it would change its name to Batten University, effective July 1.

The university said the new name honors Virginia Beach philanthropist Jane Batten, a former chair of the Virginia Wesleyan Board of Trustees, and her family, whose philanthropy has supported the university for decades.

“The decision to adopt the Batten University name is both a recognition of our history and a bold step toward the future,” the university wrote on its website. “While the Virginia Wesleyan name will always be honored, the Batten name reflects the unmatched impact of the Batten family’s generosity. For a small, private institution without state funding or a century-old endowment, their support has been truly transformational.”

The university also says the Batten name elevates its visibility and reputation and is free of the confusion often associated with “Wesleyan.”

The decision sparked significant opposition from alumni after it was announced last year, with critics arguing the university should have retained the Virginia Wesleyan name while finding another way to recognize the Batten family’s contributions. An online Change.org petition opposing the renaming had attracted more than 6,300 signatures as of Wednesday. Petition organizers argued the change would erase the university’s identity and Methodist heritage, while some alumni said they were not adequately involved in the decision-making process.

The university acknowledged the backlash on its website, saying it understands that many alumni are “grieving” the loss of the Virginia Wesleyan name while emphasizing that “Virginia Wesleyan will forever be a part of who we are.”

Located in Virginia Beach, Batten enrolls more than 5,000 students annually, including about 1,600 in traditional undergraduate and graduate programs and 3,500 in online, professional and continuing education programs. The school was established in 1961 as Virginia Wesleyan College before being renamed to Virginia Wesleyan University in 2017.