Todd M. Wheeler graduated from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1986. During his senior year at Shippensburg University, Todd was the US Army ROTC Cadet Battalion Commander. He was a doctoral candidate in the administration and leadership program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania when he passed away unexpectedly in 2019.
Todd retired from the United States Army as a Lieutenant Colonel with service in the Military Police, Civil Affairs, and
Psychological Operations communities. He had over 33 years of uniformed and civilian government experience in the Army with joint, multinational, and interagency operations at the tactical, operational, and strategic level. Todd traveled to 30 foreign countries in support of peacetime engagement and conflict operations. Combat tours included Operations Just Cause and Promote Liberty in Panama, Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar.
In addition to his service to his country, Todd was also involved in many local and international volunteer efforts. He was involved with the Newville Assembly of God as a former board member, Royal Ranger Youth program leader, men’s group leader, an adult Sunday school teacher, and children’s church teacher. Todd earned his Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America in 1980, and was serving as an Eagle Scout mentor at the time of his passing. He was an asset to his community, and was posthumously inducted into the Big Spring Hall of Fame in November 2019 for his military and community service.
This scholarship was established by the Wheeler family in memory of Todd’s faith that he shared through action, his service beyond self, and his joy of family. He truly left the world a better place than he found it, and the Wheeler family hopes the recipient of this scholarship will do the same. This scholarship in memory of LTC Todd M. Wheeler will be awarded to an incoming full-time freshmen student that is enrolled in the ROTC program at Shippensburg University.