The Cedar Falls Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 Melendy Spirit Award recipient – Dr. James A. McCutcheon, whose personal and professional achievements have left an indelible mark on the Cedar Valley. Born in Traer, Iowa, Dr.”Doc” McCutcheon’s life has been defined by exceptional commitment to his community, his profession, and his unwavering belief in the power of public service. His legacy of mentorship, philanthropy, and leadership continues to inspire generations. Dr. McCutcheon will be honored with this award at the Cedar Falls Business and Industry Awards Ceremony on May 1st at 11:30am at the Diamond Event Center in Cedar Falls.
Dr. McCutcheon earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa. He received his doctorate in dentistry in 1957. He then moved to Cedar Falls and joined the practice of Ansgar Hensen, replacing his father, James Jensen, who died in 1956. He continued at that practice until he retired in 1996. During these years he participated in the Dental College’s Preceptor Program, where students worked on patients under the supervision of the host dentist. Many of those students returned to Cedar Falls to practice including Richard (Dick) Nemmers, Mike Wirth, Tom Strub, and Dave Roberts.
However, Dr. McCutcheon’s impact reaches far beyond his professional career. His lifelong devotion to the Cedar Valley has shaped countless public projects, cultural initiatives, and academic opportunities. Known for his results oriented fundraising efforts and strong leadership, Dr. McCutcheon has served on a variety of local boards and commissions, often in founding or leadership roles. He played an integral part in the Cedar Falls Community Foundation and the Cedar Falls Art and Culture Board. His leadership was pivotal in initiatives like the Cedar Falls Library Board, Cedar Falls Swim Club (now the Black Hawk Area Swim Team, aka BLAST), Sartori Foundation, and the UNI Foundation, to name just a few.
Dr. McCutcheon’ is credited with helping to establish the Hearst Center for the Arts in Cedar Falls. Through his vision, hard work, and determination, Dr. McCutcheon helped transform the home of James Hearst—a renowned poet and philosopher—into a community arts center. This endeavor began when Dr. McCutcheon worked with the Cedar Falls City Council to accept the Hearst family’s bequest of their home, on the condition it be used for the arts. He then led the efforts to raise funds, design, and construct the Hearst Center, which opened in 1989 and continues to serve as a vibrant cultural hub.
Dr. McCutcheon’s deep commitment to arts and culture also included leading the charge for the construction of the Falls Aquatic Center in 2006, which features the “McCutcheon Family” competition lap pool, a lasting symbol of his contributions to the health and wellness of the community.
In recognition of his dedication, Dr. McCutcheon’s work has touched countless lives, including those of young people and community leaders he mentored. His leadership, enthusiasm, and ability to galvanize support for important causes have made him a cornerstone of Cedar Falls.
Dr. McCutcheon’s philanthropic work has been driven by an enduring belief in the importance of giving back, and his legacy stands as a testament to what can be achieved when one’s heart and energy are invested in the betterment of a community. The Cedar Falls Community Foundation Board of Directors and the Melendy Spirit Award selection committee feel he is the perfect embodiment of the qualities looked for in a Melendy Spirit Award recipient. Congratulations to Doc, and his family.