Wheeler was born in Charleston, West Virginia, in 1964, to C. David Wheeler and Karen S. Wheeler. He graduated from Charleston High School and West Virginia State University with a degree in accounting. He then attended West Virginia University College of Law.
At an early age, Wheeler fell in love with aviation and started working at Eagle Aviation at West Virginia International Yeager Airport at the age of 14 in 1979. He obtained his private pilot’s license, became instrument rated and earned his twin-engine license. He loved flying his Beechcraft Baron G58 and treasured his airport community, including his pilot friends Jarrell Ryan and Colonel Bill Peters. This scholarship was established to honor him and his love of aviation.
The scholarship recipient will be a full-time student in the Bill Noe Flight School who is a West Virginia resident with a 3.0 GPA or higher and has financial need per the standards of the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
The award will be renewable for up to four years, or eight semesters. The director of the Division of Aviation, or their designee, will select the recipient and renew the award in cooperation with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
For information regarding the D. Shawn Wheeler Aviation Scholarship, please contact Marshall University’s Office of Student Financial Assistance at 304-696-3162.