By Nathan A. Guillemette

Many students who come to the University of North Dakota never get the chance to see the rural communities of the state. Over spring break in March, I was a part of a group of lucky UND students who spent a week on a service-learning “Stone Soup Bus Tour” that included a stop in Rugby. On behalf of those students, I would like to thank the community of Rugby for its hospitality during our visit March 17-18.

The students enrolled in the course “Service and Rural Communities” sponsored by the UND Center for Community Engagement, traveled to Hettinger, Hazen, New Town, Tioga, Rugby, and Fort Totten to learn about the assets of North Dakota rural and tribal communities, the role of volunteering in communities, and the role that UND students might have in being of service to communities. The students will now be writing a report about what they learned.

I would like to thank Dennis Fred, the owner of the Hub Motel for allowing us to stay there. I would also like to thank Brenda Foster from the Job Development Authority, Bruce Allen from KZZJ, and Terri Kelly Barta from the Pierce County Tribune for meeting with us and discussing communication in rural areas and job development in Rugby. Everyone we met in Rugby was very friendly, and gave the students an important understanding of their community.

The students in the class were glad we had the opportunity to come to Rugby, and we are encouraging other students to learn about and see North Dakota’s rural communities. Thanks again to everyone who met with us, and helped make the trip a success. We have posted photos and reflections of the trip online. Please feel free to look and comment on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/undstonesouptour), and our class blog at (undstonesouptour.wordpress.com). Our report will be posted in May on the Center for Community Engagement website (www.communityengagement.und.edu).

Nathan A. Guillemette

Red Lake Falls, Minn.

UND Senior in

Communication