Hannibal-LaGrange University is proud to announce that James and Cheryl Rawlings of Hannibal, Missouri, have been named the 2025 recipients of the HLGU Outstanding Service Award. The award was presented during the University’s annual Booster Night event.
The Outstanding Service Award is presented to a Hannibal-LaGrange University graduate who has given outstanding service to the institution or his or her community. There are three categories: Outstanding Community Service, Outstanding Human Service, and Outstanding Service to the University.
This year’s honorees, James and Cheryl Rawlings, exemplify the spirit of this award through their leadership, faith, and commitment to serving others.
For the past two years, Jim and Cheryl have faithfully organized the Campers on Mission ministry at HLGU, bringing hundreds of skilled volunteers to campus. Through their leadership, major renovation and improvement projects have been completed, greatly enhancing University facilities and blessing students, faculty, and staff. Their tireless dedication, coordination skills, and heart for ministry have made a lasting impact on the HLGU community.
The Rawlings have called Hannibal home for 42 years. Jim, a St. Louis native, graduated from Hazelwood High School and retired after 31 years as a Teamster truck driver before joining the HLGU maintenance team for several years. Cheryl, originally from Marceline, Missouri, graduated from McCluer High School and worked as a self-employed wallpaper hanger for 30 years. Together, they have two children, eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
The couple are active members of Grace Covenant Baptist Church and serve with both Missouri Campers On Mission and Missourians On Mission. Over the years, they have poured their time and talents into ministry—teaching Sunday School for more than 50 years, participating in Bible Study Fellowship, constructing churches, assisting at church camps, and sewing for various ministries. They currently serve as co-presidents of Campers On Mission.
When asked about their service, Jim and Cheryl humbly stated, “We praise God for giving us the abilities to do the ministries that He has called us to. We are children of the King! Where He leads, we will go.”
HLGU congratulates James and Cheryl Rawlings for their faithful service and for living out the University’s mission of Christ-centered education and servant leadership.