KEENE, N.H. 10/13/09 - On Tuesday, October 6, Keene State was one of five New Hampshire businesses recognized with an Employment Leadership Award for demonstrating exceptional leadership, innovation, and/or a commitment to adopting hiring practices that improve employment opportunities for workers with disabilities in New Hampshire.

Forty-one companies were nominated by employment providers and partners throughout New Hampshire. Nominations were evaluated based on the company's efforts to create opportunities that assist people with disabilities to develop the skills they need to obtain competitive employment, adopt inclusive hiring practices that allow people with disabilities to fairly compete for employment, and engage community partners to become a more diverse workplace.

"Keene State College is honored to be recognized for promoting a respectful and nurturing work environment for our colleagues with disabilities," said Helen Giles-Gee, president of Keene State College.

"Our institutional mission and culture are grounded in a conviction that people of all abilities have unique assets and strengths, and we celebrate the contributions made by every member of our campus community. The Employment Leadership Award is affirmation of the effectiveness of our employment policies and practices and we take great pride in this distinction."

Among those on hand to congratulate and thank the recipients for their diversified employment practices were Governor John Lynch; Fred Kocher of Kocher & Company, Inc.; Denise Sleeper, administrator of the Granite State Employment Project; Nancy Rollins, associate commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services; and Robert Purcell, principal/owner of Brevan Electronics in Merrimack.

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