CLAREMONT NATIVE HONORED BY UNIVERSITY

    A Claremont native has earned top honors at Dordt University, a private Christian college in northwest Iowa known for its Reformed perspective and focus on preparing students for service and leadership.    
    Will Cutler, of Claremont, was named the university’s 2026 Business Student of the Year by the Business, Accounting, and Economics Department, an award that recognizes academic performance, character, and leadership.
    Faculty at Dordt say Cutler stood out among his peers throughout his time on campus.
    “Will has distinguished himself as one of the strongest students in the program,” said Brenda Zylstra, associate professor of business. “His practical application of material, sincere commitment to challenging himself, and genuine enthusiasm for learning set him apart.”
    Cutler said he approached his college career with a consistent mindset, regardless of recognition.
    “The work that I have put in here at Dordt has been and will be the same, whether or not I am given the award,” he said. “Whatever the outcome, whether it is me or one of my deserving classmates, I will be happy. It is the work that really counts.”
    Still, he said receiving the honor was a meaningful moment.
    “When my name was announced, it felt natural,” Cutler said. “After the banquet, I went for a walk and called my parents to tell them about it. While it is the work and the experience that really mean something, this award is something that I will carry with me for a long time.”
    During his time at Dordt, Cutler was involved in several academic and extracurricular activities. He participated in the CFA Research Challenge alongside classmates, applying classroom knowledge in a competitive setting. He was also active in Defender Capital Management, a student-led investment group that gave him hands-on experience in financial decision-making.
    “The hands-on structure of DCM allowed me to fail, learn, and grow,” he said. “It also gave me the opportunity to build strong relationships with my classmates.”
    Cutler said he focused on balancing different priorities during his time in college.
    “Rather than trying to do everything at once, I’ve tried to think in seasons,” he said. “Some months you focus more on work, others on study, others on relationships. It’s more effective to focus deeply on a few things than to spread yourself too thin.”
    He also credited his time at Dordt with helping strengthen his faith.
    “I fail more than I would like,” he said. “Yet God’s grace is sustaining. Here at Dordt, I have learned to trust God more, love God more, and rest in His goodness more.”
    After graduation, Cutler plans to continue his education at the University of Iowa College of Law, where he has been accepted on scholarship.
    Looking back, Cutler encouraged younger students to stay motivated and open to growth.
    “You have to try,” he said. “Try to understand the material better. Try to build relationships. Try to do more than you think you can. You will come up short more than you like, but you will come out a winner more than you expect.”