James Nelson Ervin

James Nelson Ervin was awarded the 2011 Education Pioneer by the African American Education Archives and History Program, for his work at Jarvis Christian College. Ervin served as the first ever president of Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas from 1914 to 1938. In those 24 years, he influenced many students from Dallas to attend Jarvis and worked tirelessly to expand Jarvis from a junior college to a senior college. His efforts were not in vain, and Jarvis Christian College did expand after Ervin's death. Many graduates of the college are a credit to Ervins' foresight and diligence. He truly was a pioneer in education.