EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

12.   EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

The Company has established a qualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the terms of which allow for qualified employees (as defined in the Plan) to participate in the purchase of designated shares of the Company's common stock at a price equal to 85% of the closing price at the end of each semi-annual stock purchase period. The Company issued approximately 114,000, 119,000 and 213,000 shares of common stock during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, pursuant to this plan at a weighted average price per share of $33.76, $25.59, and $14.95, respectively.