The end of a semester - and in this case, the end of the calendar year - is always a busy time around the University. As I write this, we are preparing to graduate more than 2,800 students at our fall commencement ceremonies. We are pleased to get this last edition of 2010 to you in digital format before year's end. For those who also receive hard copies of this magazine, look for those early in January. The staff of UNC Charlotte magazine is proud to showcase in this edition more stories that demonstrate how UNC Charlotte is integral to the social, cultural, intellectual and economic fabric of the Charlotte region. Articles in this edition describe UNC Charlotte's activities in such areas as brain health research, helping improve the literacy of young children, helping ensure that citizens have access to healthy food, and much more. During this busy and festive season, thank you for taking the time to read UNC Charlotte.