Principal Financial Group Foundation and Mercy Medical Center North Iowa proudly presents Joshua Davis, author of the 2017 NIACC Common Read: Spare Parts, at the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the NIACC campus at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8^th, 2017. This presentation is part of the 2017-2018 Performing Arts and Leadership Series for the 20^th Anniversary Season.

Joshua Davis is a writer, film producer and co-founder of Epic Magazine and Epic Digital. He is the author of the book Spare Parts, which was adapted into a film by Lionsgate starring George Lopez, Marisa Tomei, and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Joshua Davis’ Spare Parts begins in 2004 when four Latino teenagers arrive at a national underwater robotics championship at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Oscar, Lorenzo, Cristian, and Luis were all born in Mexico but raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where they grew up in constant fear of deportation. Their high school- hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean, with no pool, little money to spare, and more than 80 percent of its students below the poverty line- was the last place you’d expect to find kids building an underwater robot. But two big-hearted teachers believed that the four unusual students- a disciplined JROTC cadet, a rebellious would-be gang member, a brainy nerd, and a quiet towering giant- needed something different in their lives.

In 2003, Joshua covered the Iraq war for Wired Magazine, where he is a Contributing Editor. He has tracked rumors of genetically modified cocaine behind rebel lines in Colombia, investigated the world’s largest diamond heist, and hunted the source of a cyberwar in Russia. Josh’s work has thrice been selected “Best of Technology Writing” by Yale University Press and has also been anthologized in the 2007 and 2012 editions of “Best American Science Writing.” In 2014, he was nominated for a National Magazine Award.

In 2005, Random House published Joshua’s memoir, “The Underdog” which details his journey through some of the world’s most outlandish competitions. The Los Angeles Times calls it “laugh out loud funny,” and Entertainment Weekly declares “the rewarding Underdog proves that Davis is a winner at something.” His magazine writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Wired, GQ, Outside, Food & Wine, Men’s Journal, Men’s Health and Maxim.

In 2013, Joshua Davis and Joshuah Bearman formed EPIC, a magazine devoted to extraordinary true stories. The venture comes on the heels of Argo, the Academy Award-winning film, which was based on an article Bearman wrote. Over the past 10 years, Josh and Bearman have sold 22 articles to Hollywood, with 2 films produced. Joshua was a finalist for the 2014 National Magazine Award in Feature Writing.

The Common Read is a program designed to engage North Iowa Area Community College, its students, staff, faculty and community members, in a unified intellectual activity. For first-year students it introduces them to academic expectations, respectful discourse, and community building. The Common Read is supported by the Performing Arts and Leadership Series. First- year students will be asked to read the book as part of their Composition One requirements. The Common Read book is available through the NIACC Book Zone.

This program is supported by the Academic Affairs board of the institution, and a host of individual faculty, staff and community members on the Common Read Committee.

To learn more about Joshua Davis and the 2017 NIACC Common Read: Spare Parts visit his website at www.joshuadavis.net, or watch a video at www.niacc.edu/palvideos.

For tickets to the presentation, call the NIACC Box Office at 1-888-466-4222, extension 4188. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.niacc.edu/boxoffice.

Be sure to stop by our concessions table for a light snack and a glass of beer, wine or soda before the show or during intermission. Proceeds support NIACC activities groups across campus.

The Broadway sponsor for the 2017-2018 Performing Arts and Leadership Series is Pritchard Family Auto Stores.

Platinum sponsors include Samuel & Patricia Congello, First Citizens National Bank, Elizabeth Muse Norris Foundation, Globe Gazette, Mason City Clinic, Mercy Medical Center of North Iowa, and Principal Financial Group.

Gold sponsors include Neurosurgery of North Iowa Drs. Beck and Bhangoo, First State Bank Belmond, Dean Genth & Dr. Gary Swenson, Henkel Construction Company, Historic Park Inn, MBT Bank and the Hanson Family Foundation, Dr. Bryan and Alicia Navarette, Northwoods State Bank, North Iowa Eye Clinic P.C., Petro Blend, Stratford Foundation, Sukup Manufacturing Co., Arts Midwest Touring Fund, Holiday Inn Express, KGLO, KIMT, and North Iowa Broadcasting.

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