Culture
Nominations for the 11th annual Athena Award are open through Sept. 2
By: WOUB Culture Team
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio – It’s time to submit nominations for the 2025 Athena Award. The Award recognizes outstanding contributions and service toward persons with disabilities in the greater Athens community.
The City of Athens is seeking names of community members who have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities. Nominations for the 11th Annual Athena Award will be accepted through Tuesday, September 2.
If you know someone who deserves this honor, please submit a nomination for the annual award by using this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KMJGKKY
A nomination form may also be requested from the Athens City Commission on Disabilities. Email the Commission – disabilitiescommission@ci.athens.oh.us – and a form will be emailed.
Athena Award nominees should meet any or all of the following criteria for assisting individuals with disabilities:
- Improves the quality of life
- advocates for issues
- volunteers to have a positive impact
- develops new programs and services
- offers exceptional customer service
- demonstrates innovation or entrepreneurship that has a positive impact
Past recipients are Dr. Larry Jageman, Michael Pletcher, Dr. Noriko Kantake, Elise Sanford, Dr. jw Smith, Patty Mitchell, Barbara Conover, Berry Dilley, William ”Billy” Peacock, and Lisa Wigal.
The 2025 Athena Award event will be held on Wednesday, November 5 from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Athens Community Center (701 East State Street), and hosted by Mayor Steve Patterson and the Commission.
The Athena Award is the only award given by the City. In addition to the award presentation, there will be refreshments. The event is free and open to the public. To assist with planning, RSVPs to the Commission’s email address are encouraged.