Originally from Kentucky, Dr. Bryant has spent most of his life in Ohio. He became a full-time instructor at Capital in 2001. Additionally, for more than 25 years, he has taught courses at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, chiefly Biblical Greek. After receiving an undergraduate degree in music (organ) and a M.Div. degree, he went on to serve as a Pastor, Church Organist, and Choir Director. His committed to the training of professional and lay leaders for the Church led him to receive a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible with an addition concentration in New Testament and additional studies in Hymnology and Ancient Music. His multidisciplinary interests culminated in his dissertation, “A Multidisciplinary Evaluation of Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura’s Musical Interpretation of Tiberian Masoretic Accents (te’amim)”.
He has worked with the Southern Ohio Synod ELCA for 20 years on Lay Theological Education. Passionate about both the Bible and music, especially hymns, he frequently preaches, leads hymns sings, serves as a substitute musician, and teaches Sunday School. Further, teaching at Capital, the course Hymns and the Christian Tradition allows him to practice all his multidisciplinary interests. As part of his commitment to music at Capital, he serves as a faculty advisor for Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. Professional memberships include The Hymns Society of The United States and Canada, The Society of Biblical Literature, and The National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion. He is married to the Reverend Diana K. Gugel and resides in Lancaster, Ohio. Their two sons, Dr. Douglas Gugel-Bryant (Pharm.D.) and Michael Gugel-Bryant (B.S.W.), are also Capital graduates.