A KU alumnus has assumed command of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

U.S. Navy Capt. C. Ladd Wheeler, a 1982 chemical engineering graduate, took charge during a change-of-command ceremony Jan. 11 aboard the Norfolk, Va.-based ship. He is the 11th person to captain the 97,000-ton, nuclear-powered craft.

“It’s great to see another Jayhawk at the helm of such an important component in America’s defense structure,” said Chancellor Robert Hemenway.

Wheeler joins a growing list of KU engineering alumni who have risen to high levels in the U.S. military, including:

— Rear Adm. Wayne Meyer, a 1946 electrical engineering alumnus commonly called “the Father of the AEGIS System”
— Rear Adm. J.T. Hood, a 1962 chemical engineering alumnus who was program executive officer in Theater Air Defense of the U.S. Navy
— Rear Adm. Gene Kendall, a 1971 engineering physics alumnus and the 12th African-American to achieve the rank of rear admiral
— Vice Adm. Michael K. Loose, a 1975 civil engineering alumnus who is deputy chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics

“Our alumni have a history of achievement, and we couldn’t be more proud to add Capt. Wheeler’s accomplishment to our register of successes,” said Stuart R. Bell, dean of the School of Engineering.

Its crew of more than 5,500 affectionately calls Wheeler’s new command “America’s Big Stick.” The ship is home to Carrier Air Wing Eight and its crew members hail from every state in the union and many allied countries.

Wheeler received his commission from KU’s Navy ROTC program in May 1982. Upon completion of flight training in Pensacola, Fla., Wheeler was designated a naval flight officer in June 1983 and spent most of his aviation career in the cockpit of the A-6 Intruder and the EA-6B Prowler, both carrier-based attack aircraft. He has more than 3,300 flight hours in 28 aircraft types and more than 750 arrested landings.

Wheeler has served on several ships and more recently was commander of USS Mount Whitney. Immediately before joining USS Theodore Roosevelt, Wheeler was chief of staff for Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic.

He has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the 2003 Commander, Fleet Forces Command Battenberg Cup, the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and other campaign and unit awards.

Faculty in the department of chemical and petroleum engineering also expressed pride in Wheeler’s accomplishment.

“The grounding in science and engineering fundamentals undoubtedly provides an excellent basis for highly successful careers in a wide range of technological areas,” said Laurence Weatherley, chair of the department. “Capt. Wheeler’s career achievements and this most recent appointment are clear evidence of this. The systems thinking skills, time management, team work, communication and problem solving skills are all assets, which alumni like Capt. Wheeler have gained in our program and used for high achievement.”

Wheeler and his wife, Diane, have two school-age children and make their home in Norfolk. He is a graduate of Central High School in Grand Forks, N.D. He is the son of Mrs. C.E. Wheeler of Palm City, Fla.

He and his sister, Britton Wheeler Robinson of Overland Park, a 1986 KU graduate, are fourth-generation Jayhawks. Their maternal aunt, Nancy (Ladd) Knoff of Cokato, Minn., is a 1964 KU alumna. Their maternal grandparents were KU graduates: the late Lambert “Buss,” ’31, and Virginia Evans Ladd, d’32, who were cattle ranchers from Eureka. Their maternal great-grandfather attended KU’s law school.

Wheeler noted that he keeps tabs on KU through his fraternity brothers (members of the former Alpha Tau Omega chapter at KU), cousins and nieces who are recent KU graduates and, of course, ESPN. Seven fraternity brothers and about 20 family members from throughout the country who are KU alumni were among the guests attending the Jan. 11 ceremonies in Norfolk.