State Rep. John Zerwas to speak at UHV fall graduation
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| Rep. John Zerwas |
KATY – State Rep. John Zerwas, one of only two physicians in the Texas House of Representatives, will deliver the keynote address during the University of Houston-Victoria fall commencement ceremony Dec. 12.
“Representative Zerwas will inspire our new graduates to dream big and make a difference in their communities,” UHV President Tim Hudson said. “I am pleased he has agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to speak at our commencement ceremony.”
Zerwas represents House District 28, which consists of Waller, Wharton and west Fort Bend counties. It is one of the fastest-growing regions in the state.
He has been a physician for more than 20 years and practices anesthesiology at Greater Houston Anesthesiology, a group practice Zerwas helped start more than 10 years ago. He previously served as president of Memorial Hermann Health Network Providers and chief medical officer of Memorial Hermann Hospital System.
“I am honored to address the graduating class of 2009 from the University of Houston-Victoria,” Zerwas said. “This university and the students are a defining part of our community and the future of Texas, and I look forward to congratulating them on their remarkable achievements.”
As part of the House Appropriations Committee, Zerwas serves as chair of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee. In addition, he served on the Conference Committee for Senate Bill 1, the 2010-2011 state budget, and the House Public Health Committee.
In the July issue of Texas Monthly, Zerwas was named one of the “Ten Best Legislators” in Texas for his work during the 81st legislative session.
As part of his strong commitment to faith, family and community, Rep. Zerwas helped form the First Colony Church of Christ and was one of its first deacons. He also worked with the Boy Scouts of American to establish a troop in the Pecan Grove area.
Zerwas and his wife, Cindy, graduated from Bellaire High School in 1973 and married in 1978. After graduating from the University of Houston, Zerwas earned his Doctorate in Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine in 1980 and started a full-time private practice in 1985. The couple has four children, John Jr., Joseph, Brandon and Sherry, and son-in-law Matthew.
UHV holds two graduation ceremonies each year. Spring commencement is in Victoria, while the fall ceremony is held in Katy to accommodate the large number of UHV students who take classes at the University of Houston System at Sugar Land and UHS at Cinco Ranch.
The Dec. 12 commencement ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. in the Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane. For more information about UHV graduation, contact Special Events Coordinator Nancy Gresham at 361-570-4351 or greshamn@uhv.edu.
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 80 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.
