The Rev. Kevin Starcher, associate pastor at Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church, has joined Davis & Elkins College's student ministry staff as part of a pilot program designed to enhance religious resources for students.
In his expanded role, Starcher has an increased presence on the D&E campus and works with Robert McCutcheon, professor of English, who also serves as the college's chaplain.
"I'm very excited about this opportunity," Starcher said. "I'll be able to build relationships with the students and serve as a support person for all aspects of their lives."
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The Rev. Kevin Starcher, of Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church, speaks to a student at Davis & Elkins College in his campus office. Starcher has joined the staff at D&E to provide increased religious support for students.
Starcher, a native of Parkersburg, came to Elkins in December 2010, to serve as associate pastor for family and community ministry at DMPC. Upon finishing a bachelor's degree in economics from West Virginia Wesleyan College, Starcher worked at Camp Crestfield, a Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center located in Slippery Rock, Pa., as the program director and studied at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for his Master of Divinity degree. He recently served as program director for Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center in Boulder, Colo., before joining DMPC.
At Davis & Elkins, Starcher is involved with the Campus Christian Fellowship, a weekly Bible study, fellowship and worship session held in the college's Robbins Chapel. He also has official office hours, but sees his job description as a little more 24/7.
"As a church-related institution, it is important to look at all matters of faith and how they intersect with a student's college experience," he said. "We especially want to engage in their spiritual lives."
The spring semester's weekly fellowship has attracted students of many faiths. Starcher hopes to have more students attend in the future - not only the Robbins Chapel service, but also services at DMPC. Part of his mission on campus is to strengthen the relationship between the two institutions, and he is pleased that the church already has noticed an increased number of D&E students attending Sunday services.
"My biggest goal is to be that safe person students may need to share their struggles and joys with and to connect students with a faith-based community," Starcher said.
Starcher is active in the Randolph County Ministerial Association and a volunteer firefighter with the Elkins Fire Department. He is married to Christine Starcher, a physical therapist, and they live in Elkins.
More information about D&E is available at www.dewv.edu or 304-637-1243.
