(AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman has named Twyla Hansen of Lincoln as the Nebraska State Poet.

The 64-year-old Hansen will be the first female to hold the title. She was recommended by a 5-member selection committee coordinated by the Nebraska Arts Council, Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Library Commission.

Hansen has received numerous awards for her poetry, including the High Plains Book Award and the WILLA Literary Award. She has twice won the Nebraska Book Award.

She also has participated in poetry workshops and readings, and is a member of the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau.

Hansen will serve a 5-year term, from Dec. 1, 2013, through 2018.

Hansen is the third person to serve as Nebraska State Poet, a position created in 1921. The previous poets were John Neihardt and William Kloefkorn.