The State Fair Singers, The State Fair Singers and Jazz Band, and the Celebration Iowa Singers and Jazz Band

Goltz Selected as New Program Director for Celebration Iowa

A few days after the close of the 2006 Celebration Iowa performance season, Doc and Brenda along with a committee of four other Luther College administrators and music staff held interviews for Celebration Iowa’s new program director position. Many great candidates were interviewed, but the committee unanimously agreed that Clark Goltz possessed the passion, wisdom, organization and spirit necessary to successfully create Celebration Iowa’s future.

Clark, who comes to Celebration Iowa with a 26-year career in education and administration, began part time duties in fundraising and public relations this September while finishing his final year as the Director of Elementary Education for the Cedar Falls public school system. He will become full time around Memorial Day 2007 in preparation for the 2007 rehearsal camp and touring season. Brenda is continuing to work part time for Celebration Iowa in the interim.

Clark said when he accepted his job as the new program director for CI it reminded him of a fairy tale. The fairy tale went something like this . . . Once upon a time there was a boy who dreamed about being a famous singer on stage. He worked hard in school, but his parents would remind him that "there's more to life than singing". Later on he married his childhood sweetheart and they had two children. They enjoyed a happy life, worked hard, and celebrated all of those important family events, but, again, his wife reminded him that "there's more to life than singing". Finally, when the children were grown, the man had time to follow his dreams. He ended up as the Program Director for Celebration Iowa and found out "there's more to life than singing". Life was really about singing and dancing and playing beautiful music that brings smiles to the faces of all of the people throughout the land. And . . . he lived happily ever after. The end!

Clark received the bachelor of arts degree in 1972 and master of arts degree in education in 1983 and in 2001 his superintendent endorsement, all at the University of Northern Iowa. He is also currently a doctoral degree candidate at UNI. From 1972-78, Clark served as an elementary and Title I teacher in Hudson, Iowa. Clark’s next position was elementary school principal, Title I coordinator and special education director from 1978-91 in the South Winneshiek Community School District in Calmar, Iowa. From there, Clark moved to Decorah to serve as the elementary school principal, Title I coordinator and special education director for a decade. While in Decorah, Clark was often seen at then SFSJB rehearsals enthusiastically watching mass rehearsals and helping wife Shelly with costuming issues.

In 2001, Clark became the Assistant Superintendent of schools in Burlington, Iowa, working there three years until he moved to his current position in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

True to Clark’s nature, he has been heavily involved in each community he has served. He served on the Board of Directors for Sturgis Fall Celebration and Kiwanis International in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the Des Moines County Crime Stoppers in Burlington, Iowa, and The Family and Children’s Council of Black Hawk County in Waterloo, Iowa. In Decorah, Goltz served on the Winneshiek County Department of Human Services: Multi-Disciplinary Team, the Decorah Public Library Board of Trustees, as Nordic Fest President of the Board of Directors, Ambassador Committee to Decorah Area of Commerce, Winneshiek County Records Study Committee, Luther College Town and Gown Committee, Advisory Committee to Luther College education department and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum Syttende Mai Planning Committee.

Clark was named Administrator of the Year by the Iowa Reading Association in 2000 by the Northeast Iowa Reading Council in 1991. He was also named an Iowa Scholar in Residence by the University of Iowa and has received numerous other honors and recognitions.

Clark, and his wife, Shelly Goltz, a registered nurse at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital and Postville Rural Health Clinic, are the parents of two children, Gretchen, a teacher, and Graham, a diesel tractor mechanic.