by Natalia Kirychuk, Student Public Relations Writer
In December 2015, AJ Ervin, a 2019 graduate of Cedarville University in senior information technology management, experienced a serious accident on Route 42 in Xenia, Ohio. His recovery story is a miracle in itself, but Ervin thinks his future will be even more miraculous.
After the accident, Ervin, who is from Xenia, was placed in a medically induced coma after suffering heavy brain damage in the December 2 accident. Six months after the accident, doctors were surprised at how far Ervin had progressed. By August 2016, he was well enough to return to classes and thrived at school.
— AJ Ervin
After graduating in May, Ervin looks back at his four years with thankfulness. He went from not being involved to being heavily involved in campus this year. He serves as vice president of a student technology organization and has traveled with the Business as Mission student organization to India for a two-week leadership seminar. He has also worked for the university Techstop for two years.
“It has been great to see him overcome many challenges and to press on and to pick himself up,” said Byambadorj Bird, Techstop technician. “He continues to find a way. I am grateful to call him my friend and excited to see where he goes and how he will impact others in the future.”
At the beginning of spring semester this year, Ervin attended a Cedarville conference where he learned about opportunities to use his skills outside of the United States.
“Even though AJ has always shown a love for the Lord and a desire to serve him, whether in church ministries or working at summer church camp, his time at Cedarville since his car accident has given him a refocused attention to his purpose and ability to have an impact internationally,” said Jeremy Ervin, dean of the school of education and AJ’s father.
Ervin sensed a tugging on his heart. Multiple organizations spoke of their need for IT experts, a possibility that he had not really considered before.
“After speaking to multiple organizations, it felt like God had hit me with a truck,” said Ervin.
He began to apply to different organizations and found a position internationally as an IT consultant. In June, Ervin will complete a five-week training session in Atlanta, Georgia. “My Bible minor from Cedarville has definitely prepared me for my future,” said Ervin. “I now have a bigger purpose for learning, and I am so excited to dig in.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including its master of business administration (MBA) program, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.