State Rep., alumnus Jason Isaac to offer SFA commencement address

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - State Rep. and Stephen F. Austin State University alumnus Jason Isaac will offer the commencement address during SFA's fall graduation ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 17.

Isaac graduated SFA with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1996 with a major in marketing and a minor in management. He met his wife, Carrie, in a history class at SFA, and the couple married a few years after graduation. During his time at SFA, Isaac founded the university's lacrosse team, which is still active today, and he was president of the Association of Sports Clubs.

After graduation, Isaac worked in the transportation industry marketing technology to help improve the safety and efficiency of trucking companies. Today, he owns a company that assists small businesses achieve sales and marketing goals.

A fourth-generation Texan, Isaac was elected a state representative in 2011. He represents the Texas House of Representatives' District 45, which includes Blanco and Hays Counties near Austin. He is the only SFA graduate currently serving in the Texas Legislature.

Isaac's legislative priorities include reducing taxes, preserving a reliable groundwater supply, improving the public education system, and ensuring the oil and gas industry continues to thrive.

Isaac also serves as vice president of the Texas Conservative Coalition and founded the Hill Country Caucus, an organization comprising legislators who are dedicated to promoting and preserving the unique features and resources of the Texas Hill Country. The TCC has named Isaac its Courageous Conservative every session.

Candidates from SFA's James I. Perkins College of Education and College of Fine Arts will participate in a 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Candidates from the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, the Rusche College of Business, the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, and the College of Sciences and Mathematics will participate in a 2 p.m. ceremony.

An estimated 938 degrees will be awarded, including 801 bachelor's degrees, 134 master's degrees and three doctoral degrees. More than 180 students will graduate with honors, including 75 cum laude, 59 summa cum laude and 46 magna cum laude. Also, there will be 30 students graduating with the university scholar designation. One posthumous degree will be awarded.

Master's and doctoral candidates will graduate with their respective colleges, and Isaac will provide the commencement address at both ceremonies.