LLCC 2019 Honored Alumnus

Samuel Wheeler, Ph.D., became a part of Lincoln Land Community College history at commencement May 17, 2019. Wheeler, who is the 10th Illinois state historian, was honored with the 2019 Lincoln Land Community College Honored Alum Award. As state historian, Wheeler serves as the director of Research and Collections at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM). He is the historian of record for the 56 historic sites in Illinois.

Wheeler educates and inspires others about our rich heritage, Laurel Bretz, LLCC director of community education, who nominated Wheeler said: “He does so in a remarkable and skillful manger that evokes visceral emotion and connections in his audiences, not only Abraham Lincoln, but history. When we as a community are in tune with our history, we are better citizens and in turn a stronger community.” Bretz said Wheeler is dedicated to excellence and brings out details that “inspire others to not only care about history but to become history seekers themselves.”

Wheeler, who lives in Spring field with his young son, has worked for ALPLM since 2013. He began his career at LLCC after history Professor John Squibb encouraged him to consider a career in history. Wheeler received an associate’s degree from LLCC in 1998. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Illinois State University, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Springfield and a Ph.D. in history from Southern Illinois University.

An excerpt from a chapter of his dissertation was published in the Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association. The conclusions have reshaped the way scholars write about how the Lincolns mourned their second son, Eddy.