Ruta Sepetys wrote a wonderful book called "Between Shades of Gray" about the deportation of Lithuanians under Stalin's reign.  I read the book last summer and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Not only was it a great read, it obviously spoke to my heart in a special way now that I live in Lithuania.  LCC had the honor of hosting Ruta to our campus last week.  She gave several lectures, spoke in classes and helped with an English speaking competion that was held on campus.  She seemed to enjoy our campus a great deal.  And I know that we loved having her here!

Robin Gingerich, chair of the English Department, introducing Ruta.

Ruta sharing about how she conducted research for the book.

The evening session was open to the community, so we had Grazina translate what Ruta said into Lithuanian.

One of the women in the crowd had been a deportee and lived through the ordeal,

There were beautiful flowers on the stage.  A nod to the fact that it was March 1st (the first day of spring according to Lithuanian tradition) and I think also a reminder of the beauty of the hope that surrounded the characters in the story.