Cedarville Stories Podcast: Remembering Dr. Michael Firmin, One Year Later

by Clem Boyd, Communication Content Manager – November 11, 2021

Last year on October 27, we lost a dedicated professor and dear friend, Dr. Michael Firmin, Distinguished Professor of Psychology. We remember him again through this podcast, recorded just 12 days before his passing.

Last year on October 27, only 12 days after recording this podcast, we lost a dedicated professor and dear friend, Dr. Michael Firmin, Distinguished Professor of Psychology.

With the full support and agreement of his family, we aired this podcast on November 18, 2020.  

The loss of Dr. Firmin was devastating for Cedarville. He had served here since 1998, working tirelessly to support, encourage, and coach his students.

“My mission has been to invest my life in students,” he noted during the podcast. "I want them to go beyond me. As they impact others, my ministry multiplies.” 

Beyond his faithful service on Cedarville’s faculty, Dr. Firmin was also a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist. This committed servant of God also pastored at Berea Bible Church in Springfield, Ohio, in a preaching role.  

Cancer had impacted his family, and this reality showed in his perspective on life. His words spoken nearly two weeks before he went to be with the Lord are an important reminder of the Christian’s ultimate hope: in Christ alone.  

“When I wake up, I tell God I will do my best: ‘This is Your day for Your honor and Your glory’ because I might not have tomorrow,” he shared during the podcast. “Then my record will be in the book, and for me, it will be time for heaven.” 

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,715 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.