Texas Instruments awards Junkins National Merit Scholarships(R)

For 15 years, scholarship program has recognized exceptional students

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Apr 30, 2010, 01:00 ET

DALLAS, April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments Chairman, President and CEO, Rich Templeton recognized 21 recipients of the Jerry R. Junkins Memorial National Merit Scholarship® at a luncheon today at the company's headquarters in Dallas. The scholarships, named in honor of TI's former chairman, president and CEO, are awarded to National Merit Scholarship Program finalists who are sons or daughters of active, retired or deceased TI employees. Since its inception in 1996, TI's Junkins Merit Scholarship program has given 239 scholarships amounting to more than $950,000.

"The Junkins Merit Scholars, once again, are a remarkably sharp and ambitious group of young people," Templeton said. "TI is proud to honor these outstanding students, who have not only excelled in academics, but have also demonstrated a commitment to social responsibility and a keen interest in a range of activities from sports to writing and the performing arts."

The 16 Texas students honored for their academic accomplishments this year are:

Karen Chen of Richardson, J.J. Pearce High School; Dan Q. Dao of Sugar Land, I.H. Kempner High School; Esha S. Edupuganty of Plano, Ursuline Academy; Sarah A. Evans of Fort Worth, Arlington High School; Jenny Huang of Plano, Texas Academy of Math & Science; Ruth Li of Plano, Texas Academy of Math & Science; Marissa A Miller of Plano, Plano East Senior High School; Joshua H. Ou of Plano, Plano West Senior High School; Grace J. Park of Plano; Plano West Senior High School; Terrence T. Pitts of Dallas, J.J. Pearce High School; Kristen A. Robinson of Plano, Liberty High School; Erik M. Shoener of Dallas, Saint Mark's School of Texas; Richa Thakur of Plano, Plano East Senior High School; Carmen R. Tinker of Plano, Plano East Senior High School; Michael S. Wei of Plano, Plano West Senior High School; and Brian J. Widder of Plano, Plano Senior High School.

Other honorees include Caroline M. Abbott of Portola Valley, California, Castilleja School; Jennifer S. Chae of Alpharetta, Georgia, Chattahoochee High School; Kevin K. Duh of Flemington, New Jersey, Hunterdon Central Regional High School; Shankara N. Pailoor of Woodinville, Washington, Inglemoor High School; and Eleanor C. Pearson of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, Simley High School.

Each year, less than one percent of high school seniors nationwide achieve the status of National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist. Students are selected for the awards based on their scores on the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, academic record, leadership abilities, writing skills and extracurricular activities.

"This year's winners possess extraordinary minds, insatiable curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, and they hold enormous promise for the future," Templeton said.

TI funds the scholarships in partnership with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a private, not-for-profit organization.

Jerry Junkins became TI's chairman in 1988 and served until his death in 1996. His passion for education helped create model Head Start programs in the Dallas Independent School District. He was also chairman of the Citizens Council Education Committee and fought for education reform in Texas schools by promoting measurement and accountability in the classroom. Sally Junkins, the wife of the late Mr. Junkins, assisted Mr. Templeton with the presentation of the awards.

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) helps customers solve problems and develop new electronics that make the world smarter, healthier, safer, greener and more fun. A global semiconductor company, TI innovates through design, sales and manufacturing operations in more than 30 countries. For more information, go to www.ti.com.

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SOURCE Texas Instruments Incorporated