Doug Sorter, ’80, gives freely of his time and knowledge to help those around him
A Grand Junction native and 1980 Mesa State graduate, Doug Sorter had a long and distinguished career as an executive with United Parcel Service. Instead of retiring to his favorite vacation spot in Barbados, Sorter turned his enthusiasm and attention to detail to STRiVE, where he is now vice president of development.
Sorter thinks the work he does at STRiVE is his greatest accomplishment.
“I am proud of helping many people with developmental disabilities have a more productive and enriched life,” he said.
Every day, he is able to put his life motto into practice: Turn your success into significance. He often asks himself, “you may have been successful, but have you made a difference?”
Sorter’s dedication and work ethic began with the Maverick football team and in the classroom under the tutelage of Gene Starbuck in his sociology class. Sorter credits Starbuck for teaching him to be more empathetic.
Starbuck encouraged him to look at situations from another’s point of view and Sorter learned to make a fuller assessment of a situation to assist with problem solving. It was also during this time that Sorter developed his love of reading, citing The Vietnam War: An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns as his favorite book.
In addition to his hobbies of gardening, hiking and skiing, Sorter is the founder and president of the CMU Alumni Association Football Chapter. Sorter fosters the connection between football student-athletes, former players and coaches, and helps raise financial support and scholarships for the current team. Since its formation in July of 2013, Sorter has helped raise more than $50,000.
FACTOID:
Graduation year: 1980
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colorado