Local leader and former state Rep. Bill Callegari of Katy received an honorary degree from Houston Community College for his longstanding support of HCC.

Callegari received his degree as part of the June 15 graduation ceremony, held at NRG Stadium, where more than 1,700 students received their degrees.

Callegari holds a special place in the hearts of both the HCC and Katy communities, college leaders said. HCC trustee Dave Wilson nominated Callegari for the recognition which HCC Northwest President Dr. Zachary Hodges said is a well-deserved honor and long overdue.

“Bill is an icon in Katy, having served on the school board, then as a Texas state representative, and he’s also been on my business steering committee for the past 28 years,” Hodges said, adding that Callegari has been “instrumental leading the effort to bring a complete higher education program and infrastructure to Katy.”

Community involvement has been an important part of Callegari’s life and career. Before his election to the Texas Legislature, he participated in activities in Katy and Houston areas, including local chambers of commerce and various professional and civic organizations. He served on the Katy Independent School Board of Trustees in the mid-1980s and was a precinct chair for approximately 20 years in the Republican Party.

Callegari has been a licensed professional engineer for more than 50 years. During his tenure in the Texas House of Representatives, he worked on issues that include pension reform, water policy, eminent domain, private property rights, hurricane protection, transportation reform and streamlining government.

He graduated from Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering and received a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Houston.