HANNIBAL (HLGU) – Hannibal-LaGrange University is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Service Award, honoring Bill and Wendy Craigmiles, along with Marilyn Craigmiles Thomas, for their exceptional dedication to the university and their lifelong commitment to serving their communities.
The Outstanding Service Award is presented to those who have made significant contributions to their communities and provided outstanding service to the institution. This year’s honorees embody this spirit of service through impactful careers in nursing, business, education, and community development.
Wendy Craigmiles (BSN, University of Florida, 1967) has dedicated her life to nursing and education, serving in various capacities including public health nursing, school nursing, and teaching pediatric nursing. A Hannibal native, Wendy retired from Hannibal Public Schools in 2013, having spent 13 years as a school nurse and later substitute nurse. She received a 50-year certificate from the Missouri State Board of Nursing in 2020. A lifelong member of First Christian Church in Hannibal, Wendy finds joy in helping others and is especially proud of the Craigmiles School of Nursing and its graduating students. Wendy and her husband, Bill, are proud parents of three daughters—Amy McIntyre, a teacher in Hannibal; Dr. Kristyn Anderson, a physical therapist in Kansas City; and Dr. Laura Laudermilk, an ER physician in Texas.
Bill Craigmiles (BA in Business Administration, Drury College, 1964) has served in the U.S. Navy and spent years in the oil industry before establishing Big River Oil Co. in 1972, which operates throughout Illinois and Missouri. His contributions extend beyond his business ventures to include numerous leadership roles within the community. Bill has held positions on local boards, including Beth Haven Nursing Home, Hannibal Regional Hospital, The Hannibal YMCA, and Hannibal Chamber of Commerce. He has also contributed to organizations such as the Mark Twain Home Foundation and served as a trustee for the George H. Riedel Foundation.
Marilyn Craigmiles Thomas (University of Missouri, 1966) began her nursing career at the University of Colorado Medical Center, where she worked alongside pioneers of kidney and heart transplantation. Returning to Hannibal, she served as a public health nurse and later as a school nurse, before moving to Kansas City and teaching at the Research Medical Center School of Nursing. In 2004, Marilyn established House of Hope Kansas City, a faith-based residential facility for at-risk teenagers. Her work with House of Hope has transformed the lives of countless young people, embodying her dedication to making a lasting impact in her community.
The Craigmiles family’s contributions to Hannibal-LaGrange University are profound. Bill, Wendy, and Marilyn funded the Craigmiles School of Nursing at HLGU in honor of their parents, L.W. and Jane Forbes Craigmiles, and the nurses in their families, including Wendy and Marilyn. Their investment reflects a shared family passion for nursing and a commitment to equipping future healthcare professionals.
HLGU is honored to recognize the Craigmiles family for their lifetime of service and their unwavering support of the university. The Outstanding Service Award was presented during HLGU’s annual Homecoming celebration.
Hannibal-LaGrange University is a four-year Christian university fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The institution prides itself in its traditional and nontraditional educational experience in a distinctively Christian environment.