ATHENS, Ohio -- The Governor's Council on People with Disabilities has selected Ohio University's Dining Services as its Large Sized Employer of the Year. The award will be presented at the Council's Annual Meeting Luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 16, at the Airport Radisson in Columbus, Ohio.

The annual award is presented to an employer with more than 500 employees that shows an exemplary commitment to the inclusion of people with disabilities.

"I'm very pleased that Dining Services has been recognized for something as rewarding and fun as this," said Dining Services Director Greg Hopkins. "This is an award shared by the entire staff."

Since spring quarter 2000, Dining Services has utilized workers from Atco Inc., a nonprofit corporation in Athens that trains and employs adults with developmental disabilities.

Last year, Hopkins became a member of the Atco Business Advisory Council and said the council is always looking for more employment opportunities for Atco workers.

"This is an outstanding honor for Ohio University, Dining Services, AFSCME Local 1699 and Atco," said Randy Shelton, Ohio University's director of housing and food services. "There has been a significant cooperative effort by them to embrace these challenged individuals and provide them with a chance to become productive citizens in the community."

Last April, Shively Dining Hall General Manager Jim Yute received the "Best Practices Award" from the Ohio Association for Persons in Supported Employment in recognition of his excellent deployment of Atco workers.