NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Sen. Glenn Hegar of Katy, the youngest member of the Texas Senate, will be the speaker for the commencement ceremony at Stephen F. Austin State University on Saturday, Dec. 19.

Hegar served in the House of Representatives from 2003 until 2007, when he was elected to the Senate. Hegar's appointment as chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission made Texas history, marking the first time that a freshman member of the Legislature has been appointed to lead the commission. He serves as chairman of the Legislative Sportsman's Caucus, and is vice chairman of the Committee on Government Organization. He is a member of the Committees on Natural Resources, Nominations, Criminal Justice, and Agriculture and Rural Affairs,.

In 2009, Hegar was awarded the Doc Brown Legislator of the Year Award from the Texas State Rifle Association, and Texans for Lawsuit Reform recognized him with the Civil Justice Leadership Award. The Texas Association of Business named Hegar a "Champion for Free Enterprise," and the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association named him Legislator of the Year.

In prior sessions, Hegar was recognized as Best Legislator and the Rookie of the Year for the 80th Session by Capitol Inside. He received the Legislative Excellence Award from the Texas Municipal Police Association, Stars for Rural Texas from the Texas Farm Bureau, and the Perfectly Pro-Life Award from Texas Right to Life.

Hegar holds a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University, a master's degree and juris doctorate from St. Mary's University, and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Arkansas.

Almost 800 degrees will be awarded, including two doctorates, 115 master's degrees and 681 bachelor's degrees. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. in William R. Johnson Coliseum.