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North Iowa Area Community College in collaboration with Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa, Principal Financial Group and Elizabeth Muse Norris Charitable Fund are honored to present John Bul Dau. John Bul Dau, one of the storied “Lost Boys of Sudan,” will take the North Iowa Community Auditorium stage on Wednesday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. as a part of the 2008-2009 NIACC Leadership Series. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students.

A free showing of the documentary God Grew Tired of Us, narrated by Nicole Kidman, will take place in the North Iowa Community Auditorium on Wednesday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m.

One of the storied “Lost Boys of Sudan,” Dau is featured in Christopher Quinn's award-winning documentary, God Grew Tired of Us, and has experienced trials in life that most people never imagine. Born in war-torn Sudan, Dau is one of 27,000 boys driven from their villages when the northern Arab government attacked the ethnic minority population of Southern Sudan in 1987. For the next five years, Dau led groups of displaced boys across Sudan for hundreds of miles facing starvation, disease and violence. In 1992, he was placed in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya where he learned his ABCs and 123’s at the age of 17. In 2001, Dau was selected to immigrate to the United States and settled in Syracuse, New York.

Following his initial culture shock, John Bul Dau took on two jobs, earned an associate’s degree and has become an American success story. Currently the president of the John Dau Sudan Foundation, he is an influential part of many efforts to bring hope and peace to the people of Southern Sudan, founding three nonprofits and raising over $700,000 to build a medical clinic in his home village. Dau co-authored his first book, God Grew Tired of Us: A Memoir, in 2007 and has received many prestigious awards including the National Geographic’s Emerging Explorers award.

John Bul Dau’s life provides the ultimate example of a profile in courage. He is a natural leader who exemplifies true resilience and perseverance under the most horrific of circumstances. Today, Dau is a compelling motivational speaker whose life is defined by his uncompromised commitment to having a lasting impact on the future of his native country.

In his speech, Dau will discuss taking responsibility and leading others to do positive things.  He will talk about how at age 13 he was thrown into leading 200 smaller boys across Sudan, and how it made him a stronger person.  Dau will show the audience that when you start small – changing yourself, your family and your home – you will grow as a leader and will be able to achieve greater change.  Dau will explain the crises in Sudan, from the 1987 troubles that created the Lost Boys generation, to the current genocide in Darfur.  He will break down the conflicts for the audience to understand and tell people what they can do to help.

For tickets to John Bul Dau, call the NIACC Box Office at 1-888-466-4222, ext.4188.  Tickets may also be purchased online at www.niacc.edu.  Sponsors for the 2008-2009 Leadership Series are Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa, Principal Financial Group and the Elizabeth Muse Norris Charitable Foundation.  Platinum sponsors for the 2008-2009 Performing Arts Series include NIACC, Globe Gazette Elizabeth Muse Norris Charitable Fund; the Globe Gazette; Alliant Energy; Community National Bank; Henkel Construction; and Principal Financial Group.  Gold sponsors include Diamond Jo Casino; First Citizens National Bank; First State Bank of Belmond; Kraft; Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa; Martin, Cooney, MacNider & Cooney, Financial Consultants of Raymond James and Associates, Inc.; Dr. Gary W. Swenson and Dean A. Genth; and Sukup Manufacturing.  In kind sponsors include Country Inn and Suites; KIMT; and Pepsi.

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