Religious Studies
School of Arts and Sciences

Meet the Faculty

Donald B. Deel
Adjunct Faculty Member
Religious Studies, Mountain State University
Donald B. Deel is a Ph.D. candidate in pastoral counseling as well as a Doctor of Ministry. Deel teaches religious studies at Mountain State University, and also serves as the director of missions for the Mountain State Baptist Association. He has written 27 books and manuals, including Bible study manuals, self-study manuals, and church and pastoral manuals that relate to religious studies. He also teaches many seminars in addition to instruction at Mountain State University. Deel’s goals are to continue in the mission field as a director, and in the academic field as a learner.

James A. McCoy
Associate Professor
Religious Studies, Mountain State University
James A. McCoy holds a Master of Divinity from Atlanta’s Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and a Ph.D. in English from Florida State University. McCoy has also received a master's degree in English and a B.A. in political science from Marshall University. In addition to teaching at Mountain State University, he serves as an author, theologian, preacher and a board member for the Westminster Foundation of West Virginia, which oversees Presbyterian campus. At Mountain State University, McCoy serves as an associate professor of religion and English, teaching a variety of classes in such areas as world religion; Judaism, Islam, and Christianity (a course on the monotheists); as well as creative and Technical writing. He is the author of Radio Noise, a three-act play, and also the author of Featured Events, a collection of short stories, both dealing with the spiritual condition. He is also associated with Mountain State University’s official literary journal, Mountain Whispers. McCoy is especially interested in systematic theology and the travels and trials of St. Paul.

Ryan P. Snuffer, D, Min.
Adjunct Faculty Member
Religious Studies, Mountain State University
Ryan P. Snuffer holds a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry in apologetics.  Currently, Snuffer teaches philosophy and religious studies at Mountain State University.  He has written several books including Love your Neighbor "Thinking Wisely About Right and Wrong" (Crossway Books, 2007) and Can We Live Forever? "Exploring Longevity in Light of Faith and Science”.  Snuffer also writes articles for Catapult Magazine and is currently conducting research on ecology and biomedical ethics.

Snuffer works to prepare students at Mountain State University for their dreams, whether it includes seminary, vocations in ministry, nonprofit leadership, counseling, missions, higher education, or life in general.  Snuffer also provides an opportunity for non–religious studies majors, whether full-time students or individuals within the community, to expand their knowledge of various world religions. 

Donald R. Snyder
Adjunct Faculty Member
Religious Studies, Mountain State University
Donald R. Snyder received a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Master of Sacred Theology from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.  During his advanced education Snyder’s research and study drew his interests to theology and the New Testament, with a particular focus in the Gospels. 

Snyder teaches both religion and philosophy at Mountain State University.  He invites students to journey with him on a quest for intellectual growth.  Snyder states that by studying philosophy as an undergraduate at Westminster College (Pa.), he has always been interested in the quest for knowledge as a component of critical thinking. 

Gary D. Tee II
Adjunct Faculty Member
Religious Studies, Mountain State University
Gary D. Tee II received a M.A.L.S. in religious studies and a B.A. in philosophy from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.  Tee’s interests include eastern religions, philosophy and ritual, the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, and the emerging field of peace studies. 

Tee is anxious to bring a wider variety of courses on the worlds many different religions histories, theories, and practices to the religious studies program at Mountain State University.  He strives to give students the intellectual and attitudinal tools needed to explore diverse religious world views in greater depth while personally expanding their own spiritual horizons and understanding of religion so as to lead to a more meaningful life.