FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Texas Instruments Inc. of Dallas has announced a $500,000 gift to the UA College of Engineering to establish the Texas Instruments Chair of Mixed-Signal and Linear Microelectronics in the University of Arkansas electrical engineering department. Dr. Jerry Yeargan, University Professor of Electrical Engineering, has been selected to serve as the first recipient of the five-year term chair.

"Nationally, the University of Arkansas is recognized as having a nationally competitive program in mixed-signal systems. This gift will enable us to become even stronger. When a corporation having the reputation and quality of Texas Instruments makes an investment in a

university of this type and magnitude, it sends a strong signal nationally regarding the quality of our electrical engineering program," said Chancellor John A. White. "In addition to being the strongest possible endorsement from a world-class corporation, the gift also provides tangible evidence of the progress we are making in becoming a nationally competitive, student-centered research university serving Arkansas and the world. We are so very grateful for the support of Texas Instruments."

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company and the world's leading designer and supplier of digital signal processing (DSP) and analog technologies, the engines driving the

digitization of electronics. The company has worked closely with the UA College of Engineering for many years to develop the college's mixed-signal processing program and in 1997 selected the U of A as a partner school in the TI Mixed-Signal Products University Program. Texas Instruments is also one of the top employers of UA electrical engineering students. The Texas Instruments Chair of Mixed-Signal and Linear Microelectronics is supplemented by support for electrical engineering faculty members and graduate students working in the mixed-signal area.

"As the world leader in DSP and analog circuits, Texas Instruments recognizes the importance of supporting studies in analog and mixed-signal technologies. The University of Arkansas and TI both win as we take advantage of this research," said Ron Danielak, Data Converter Products Manager, Texas Instruments.

Dr. Jerry Yeargan received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and has been a professor at the U of A for 33 years. His area of specialization is in mixed-signal (analog/digital) circuits and microelectronic device modeling, and he has been a leader in building the university's program in mixed signal microelectronics. During his tenure at the U of A, he has established a balanced program in teaching, research and service while gaining international recognition for his contributions to the field of engineering education. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE), and was recently selected National President-elect of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). He has received numerous awards throughout his distinguished career, including the IEEE Millennium Medal, the IEEE Education Society Achievement Award, Outstanding Service to Students Award presented by the College of Engineering, and the Outstanding Faculty Award presented by the Arkansas Academy of Electrical Engineering.

"Microelectronics has changed the face of modern life," said Otto J. Loewer, dean of engineering. "Every telecommunications device today contains both analog and digital circuitry within the same unit. This gift acknowledges the college's role in mixed-signal systems, and recognizes Dr. Yeargan for his leadership in building an innovative program encompassing design, modeling and simulation, and testing of mixed-signal circuits and systems. We truly appreciate the trust that Texas Instruments has placed in our electrical engineering faculty and students."

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