Lawrence E. Wheeler, education research/K-12 coordinator for the Seneca Nation of Indians Education Department (Cattaraugus), was recently nominated for Firefighter of the Year following a victim rescue from a burning building while off duty. Wheeler is a member of the Versailles Fire Company.

     Versailles Fire Chief Wayne Cross and Ron Keddie, New York State fire instructor, submitted Wheeler for nomination for this prestigious award.

     “Larry is an outstanding individual and a great family man. I have the utmost respect for him; if you read the Fireman’s Prayer, it sums Larry up. In our company’s eyes, he’s a hero,” says Chief Cross.

     Wheeler, who has been a member of the Versailles Fire Company for nine years, is also its newly appointed chaplain. He is working toward certification as a New York State intermediate firefighter.

     His duties in the SNI Education Department include developing and maintaining research projects to improve the performance of children who are members of the SNI. He oversees the Johnson O’MalIey and Academic Assistance Services Programs (AASP) in the Silver Creek, Lake Shore and Gowanda school districts.

     Wheeler received his bachelor of science in mathematics from the SUNY College at Buffalo, where he was awarded the President’s Medal for Scholastic Achievement and Community Service in 1996.

     While teaching undergraduate mathematics as a teaching associate at Syracuse University, he earned dual master’s degrees from that institution in pure mathematics and mathematics education (in 1998 and 2001, respectively). He is currently teaching undergraduate mathematics at SUNY College at Fredonia and working toward completion of a doctorate in education.

     Participating in Pow Wow Grass Dance and Smoke Dance, as well as doing all of his own beadwork, are other interests, along with membership in the fire department. Wheeler was former head singer with the Earthland Singers in East Lansing, Michigan and former singer with the Summer Cloud Singers in Keshena, Wisconsin.

     Wheeler is married to Kristen and the couple has three children: Mackenzie, 5; Isaiah, 3; and Meredith, who is 6 months old.