News Release
CONTACT: Della Elliott, Public Information, (619) 644-7690, della.elliott@gcccd.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 2006
Wendell Cutting remembered for his dedication to the district
GCCCD trustee lost his battle to cancer June 28
EL CAJON – – As news of Governing Board Trustee Wendell Cutting’s death circulated this week throughout the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, there was much reflection on his dedication to the colleges and the district, and the depth of his caring for students and their education.
Cutting’s value of learning is reflected in the letter he submitted to the district in April 2002 that accompanied his application for a governing board seat.
“The future of East County will be determined by the quality of education that is offered in our communities,” Cutting wrote. “Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District is East County’s most valuable asset.”
On the night of his appointment three weeks later, the El Cajon resident and chief of staff to Congressman Duncan Hunter said that his seeking the district trusteeship was one way of giving back to an East County community that had shown such support during his first bout with cancer in 1995. That battle ended with the cancer receding into remission, but in 2004, Cutting learned that it had returned. Doctors said then he had only months to live, but Cutting plunged ahead with his usual assortment of job, community and philanthropic efforts. That fall, he was elected president of the governing board, thus beginning his busiest year ever working on behalf of the college district.
“What a dear friend we have lost with the passing of Wendell Cutting,” said current Governing Board President Deanna Weeks. “At the countless events and meetings he attended as a district trustee, the depth of his caring for the colleges and students was there for all to see.
“Wendell was respected and admired around the world where he served others selflessly and with joy whenever there was a need he could address. Even when very ill, he never thought of himself, but always of others.
“His affection for this community and ‘East County folks’ was deep, and that love was returned to him in full measure. He was a role model for all of us. Wendell has left a wonderful legacy for us, his East County family, and the world is a better place because of his life. We are all blessed for having known him.”
In 2005, against the advice of doctors, Cutting traveled to Sri Lanka and Thailand to assist in relief efforts to the tsunami-ravaged region, continuing his volunteer work with the East County-based non-profit Rescue Task Force, which has aided the stricken in places like Kosovo, Pakistan, El Salvador, Iraq, Afghanistan, and in this country, Louisiana and Mississippi, providing post-Katrina relief.
“Our district and the public at large have suffered a great loss,” said Trustee Tim Caruthers. “Wendell was a true humanitarian in every sense of the word. He was a great person to know.”
In a districtwide message Wednesday, Chancellor Omero Suarez said while Cutting’s health continued to deteriorate, his advocacy for the district remained unflagging, as was his determination to stay active as long as he could.
“Wendell Cutting’s support for this college district was never diminished by his own adversity,” he said. “Even as he battled his illness bravely and publicly, he was determined to the very end to use whatever strength he had to focus his efforts on helping others, especially our college district family.”
Governing Board Vice President Rick Alexander hailed Cutting’s character and stellar service.
“It was an inspiration to work with Wendell, to see him genuinely live his values,” he said. “Wendell would do absolutely whatever he could to improve the lot of students. He had such love and respect for community colleges and for our district.”
Trustee Bill Garrett said regardless of the issue, Cutting’s positive nature was ever-present.
“There was not a mean or contentious bone in his body,” Garrett said. “Even when there was a point of disagreement, he was able to express his view with such fundamental clarity and warmth of spirit. I always appreciated his willingness to give people the benefit of the doubt on any issue. It was just one more example of his wonderful view of humanity and what endeared him to all of us.”
During Cuyamaca College’s convocation marking the start of the fall 2005 semester, Cutting noted that a divergence of opinion can prove to be positive, if the right approach is taken.
“We are going to get through all these challenges and when we do, we are – all of us as individuals and as an institution – going to be the better for it,” he said. “Challenges and problems are always present. Let’s learn from them.”
In his application for the governing board seat, Cutting identified his top priorities for the college district: inadequate state funding, lack of space for facilities, and addressing shortages in nursing and other health professions. During his tenure, the college district has seen state equalization dollars to address funding inequities between individual college districts become a reality; the passage of a $207 million local bond measure, Prop. R, for new and remodeled facilities at both colleges; and the expansion of such programs as the evening/weekend nursing program and the Welcome Back Project, an international health worker assistance center developed to help internationally trained health workers continue working in healthcare professions in California.
Cutting explained his support for community colleges succinctly in his fall 2005 convocation address at Cuyamaca College.
“Our colleges are magnificent. You change lives. You create hopes and dreams.”
Memorial services are scheduled for July 6 at Shadow Mountain Community Church, 2100 Greenfield Drive in El Cajon. Viewing is from noon until the start of the service at 2 p.m.
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