Couple’s Fellowship Helps Graduate Students

As chairman, president and CEO of Texas Instruments, Rich Templeton wants to drive research and innovation right here in North Texas, which is why he and his wife, Mary, created an endowed fellowship for graduate students in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. The Mary and Richard Templeton Fellowship will support future students pursuing a master’s or doctorate in any field in the Jonsson School.

The Templetons met while students at Union College in New York, where he was studying electrical engineering and she was a computer science major. Rich joined Texas Instruments following graduation in 1980. He was named president and CEO in 2004 and became chairman of the board in 2008.

Through almost 30 years of marriage, the Templetons have shared a commitment to education and community service, touching countless lives. Mary has served on numerous boards including the Boys & Girls Club of America Southwest Region, the Dallas Arboretum, the University of Dallas and John Paul II High School in Plano, Texas.

Rich has led TI’s internal United Way campaign for more than a decade, and served as chair of the 2012-2013 United Way of Metropolitan Dallas campaign. He is also one of four co-chairs for the Realize the Vision campaign, joining Debbie Francis, James Huffines and Ron Nash MS’79.

“The impact of engineering and computer science on our world is something that Mary and I strongly believe in,” Rich said. “We are pleased to offer our personal support to the students who will learn here and then use their knowledge to create new technologies that change lives.”

The Templetons’ gift has helped propel the Jonsson School’s campaign total past $57 million, far surpassing the school’s $40 million campaign goal.

“This is certainly a special gift for the Jonsson School,” said Dr. Mark Spong, dean of the Jonsson School and Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair in Electrical Engineering. “Texas Instruments has been a wonderful longtime supporter, but this personal gift from Mary and Rich speaks to their confidence in the strength of our programs and our future success.”