Late GTCC music leader Mark Wheeler Ed.D. will have lasting legacy through endowed music scholarship
Published on: August 2, 2024
Mark Wheeler’s passion in life was sharing his love for music with his students at Guilford Technical Community College, where he led the music department for more than 30 years.
Wheeler passed away last October, less than six months after his retirement from GTCC. Despite the tragic loss of Wheeler after a long battle with cancer, his musical legacy will live on at the college he loved.
The Dr. Mark R. Wheeler Memorial Music Endowed Scholarship has been established by his widow, Vicky, and the couple’s son, Paul, to provide financial assistance to students pursuing an associate in fine arts – music degree, with an alternative major in entertainment technology as a secondary option.
“Mark was passionate about working with students, whether in teaching classes, playing in ensemble with them, or in having individual interactions,” said Vicky. “Anyone who knew Mark knew how positive he was, and as such, was an encourager to students in their growth in musical knowledge and skills to pursue their dreams in music.
“We want to ensure that his legacy for supporting students in the pursuit of music careers lives on.”
The Dr. Mark R. Wheeler Memorial Music Endowed Scholarship will be awarded for the first time during the 2024-2025 school year.
Scholarship funds can be used to assist students with tuition, books, fees, and living expenses, including childcare, transportation, food, rent, and others. Pending satisfactory academic progress, the same student may be eligible for consecutive semesters of funding.
For those interested in applying for the scholarship, visit gtcc.edu/community-engagement/giving-to-gtcc/scholarships.php.
“Our loss of Mark is untimely, but the endowed scholarship will provide opportunities for students for years to come which is what he would want,” said Vicky. “He could have retired from GTCC many years before, but he loved the music program and teaching the students.”
Wheeler began at GTCC in 1990 as a part-time music instructor while he was still a doctoral candidate. Over the next 30-plus years, his classes (that he developed) covered a wide spectrum, from music theory to music history to rock music to skills. He often played drums (or other percussion) with the college’s music ensemble. Wheeler worked especially hard to ensure that his classes included relevant, current examples of music concepts so that today’s students could relate.
His years at GTCC parallelled the growth of the college’s music program. He helped grow the program from its infancy to offering a state-approved two-year associate degree in 2002 and an entertainment technology program.
Wheeler’s passion for music and teaching students was recognized in 1996-1997 with the Excellence in Teaching Award, as he loved students and made sure he was in the classroom as much as possible.
"I've enjoyed being in the classroom, working with students, both performance-wise and the technical parts,” shared Mark during an interview on his retirement.
Click here to donate online to the Dr. Mark Wheeler Music Scholarship at GTCC or call 336-334-4822, ext. 50310 for more information.
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