International education was in the forefront of activities at DCCC in May as six international exchange students graduated and returned to their home countries, two groups of students participated in short-term study abroad tours to expand their understanding of other countries and cultures, and two faculty members traveled to the United Kingdom as part of a consortium of colleges to finalize a project on entrepreneurship education.

International students enrolled at DCCC during 2010-2011 as part of the Community College Initiative (CCI) took their newly earned college credentials back to their home countries of Ghana, Pakistan, and Nicaragua following May commencement at the College. They earned diplomas and certificates in the areas of business administration, electronics engineering technology, and automotive technology.

Four students, along with faculty members Peggy Grotberg and Suzanne LaVenture, were in China May 18-June 1 as part of the Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) Study Abroad Troika program. The group spent a week each at Beijing Union University and Shanghai Finance University. The group learned about the Chinese business sector and economy, heard lectures on the Chinese healthcare system and differences in Eastern and Western modes of thinking, and toured cultural and historical sites such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Olympic Stadium.

London and Paris were the destinations for 25 students and Dr. Amy Holmes during a May 13-19 study abroad trip. They visited the Tower of London, National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London Eye, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Versailles.

Associate Dean Bob Sweet and faculty member Greg Carlton traveled to the United Kingdom in early May to finalize an international entrepreneurship education project. In 2010, DCCC was part of a consortium of colleges awarded a Prime Minister's Initiative 2 grant from the British government. Since that time, all seven United States colleges and three U.K. colleges have worked together to develop an "International Passport to Enterprise Skills" which will used in curriculum development at participating colleges.

Davidson County Community College's 2011 Storm volleyball team was introduced by Coach Heather Adkins during a signing day held July 25 on the Davidson Campus.

Kelsey Templeton returns from a 2010 squad that finished as Tarheel Conference co-champions and Region X runner-up. Templeton, a Wesleyan Christian Academy graduate, was a key player in the setter position, recording 618 assists and 28 aces for the season.

First-year Storm players signing letters of intent were:

• Kristen "Beth" Cloninger, Jesse Carson High School, China Grove. She is a middle/right side hitter and will study nursing.
• Allison Flynn, Sheets Memorial Christian School. She is a middle hitter and received Most Valuable Player honors and the Coaches' Award while at Sheets. Allison will study nursing.
• La'Nesha Harris, Sheets Memorial Christian School. She will play defensive specialist and right side hitter. La'Nesha, who won MVP honors during her high school career, will study nursing.
• Tressa McGee, Sheets Memorial Christian School. She will be a defensive specialist and may see some time as a backup setter or play on the right side. While in high school, Tressa won MVP honors, Coaches' Award and was named to All-State and All-Tournament teams. She will study nursing.
• Jordan Pace, Sheets Memorial Christian School. The outside/middle hitter has won MVP honors and the Coaches' Award in high school. Jordan was named Athlete of the Year at Sheets and will study elementary education.
• Jessie Palmer, West Davidson High School. She is an outside/middle hitter and an early childhood education major.

The start of a new academic year is always exciting, and this year it is even more so with all the new student success initiatives that will begin to take shape during 2011-2012.

I look forward to the start of our new year and to welcoming everyone back to campus on Wednesday, Aug. 10th for the fall 2011 Opening Session.

We will gather in the Conference Center at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and pastries, which will be followed by introductions, recognitions, and updates. Lunch will be served in the Conference Center at noon.

Please wear your "Developing Minds, Inspiring Imaginations" t-shirt for Opening Session and for the mandatory New Student Information Sessions on Friday, Aug. 12. It is exciting to see our entire DCCC family dressed in DCCC blue, reminding our students of our shared mission and collaborative energy as we work to help more of them succeed.

Sincerely,
Mary E. Rittling, Ed.D.