A collegiate distance runner, artist, and social media influencer, Amalia Dorion inspires entire communities. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in painting from Adams State University in the spring of 2024.
A graduate of an El Paso, Texas high school and with family ties to eastern universities, her family assumed she would follow in their paths and attend college along the east coast. Imagine their surprise when Amalia Dorion announced her decision to attend a rural, state-supported institution in southern Colorado.
Her paternal grandparents, Dorothy S. Dorion, R.N., M.S., sports medicine consultant, and the late George H. Dorion, Ph.D., were caught off guard with the choice. “Amalia had applied to all colleges in New England and was accepted, through early admission, to Bates College in Maine. My husband and I were stunned when she called and announced she was going to Adams State.”
She based her decision to attend Adams State on the world-class running program with nationally recognized Head Coach Damon Martin, M.A. “We only knew she and her father, Mark, had attended running camps there. My husband and I graduated from major, well-known colleges in metropolitan cities,” Dorothy Dorion added. “It was a shock to both of us. However, it turned out to be a total success.”
Success may be a bit of an understatement when looking back on Amalia Dorion’s collegiate career. As an Adams State student, Amalia Dorion worked on campus as the social media manager for the Art Department, head editor and chief for the Sandhill Review Art and Literature Magazine, at the Nielsen Library circulation desk, and as a cross country camp counselor. She was the social media intern for the longest running track and field publication in the USA, Track and Field News, in addition to competing on the women’s cross country and track teams. Shealso participated in the League of the Arts and served on the Adams State Communications Board.
Dorothy and George Dorion were extremely proud of all her accomplishments. “We didn’t know how she could juggle such a variety of subjects, academics, track, cross country, art, publications, and more, all within 24 hours.”
Adams State nurtured Amalia Dorion’s artistic talents, her social media acumen, and her athletic potential. She was selected by the Visual Art Department as an outstanding graduate. “Her art professors gave her encouragement to pursue creative works. She did original works in 3D, and, as an artist, I don’t know how she did it,” Dorothy Dorion said.
When she visited Amalia on campus, Dorothy Dorion met Coach Martin. “He impressed me as being competent, compassionate, and organized. Although we arrived unannounced, Coach Martin took the time to talk to us. All the trophies lining his office wall are inspiring. With all his accomplishments and accolades, he is very down to earth, and it was obvious he knew Amalia very well.”
Amalia Dorion is now working on a master’s degree and competing on the track and field teams at Suffolk University, in Boston, Mass. “This was a very bold move that took a lot of determination,” her grandmother said. “She was able to move on due to the confidence she developed at Adams State.”
Demonstrating the willingness to share her gifts and talents, Dorothy Dorion established two Adams State scholarships named in honor of Amalia Maya Dorion. One will assist a student athlete in cross county or track and field. The second endowed scholarship will benefit a visual art major.
“My grandma, I call her Baboo, has always supported me throughout everything I have chosen to do,” Amalia Dorion said. “To have her continue to support me and the things that I love means more to me than anyone could imagine.”
“My husband and I always believed education is the one thing no one can take from you,” Dorothy Dorion said. “I received scholarships and worked, and George had a GI bill, which helped tremendously. Without the financial assistance, I would not have been able to attend college. I am pleased to provide a little help along the way for others seeking a higher education degree. It is a gift that keeps on giving.”
Amalia Dorion may have inherited the gene for outstanding performance in art, athletics, and academics from her grandmother, whose resume includes blending nursing, education and sports. Dorothy Dorion continues to serve as a Hospice nurse and most recently, at age 90, co-authored Beyond Triathlon. A documentary, based on the book, debuted at the University of North Florida. It premiered in November at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival, an additional accomplishment directly tied to the history of women’s sports and Title IX. Throughout her lifetime, she competed in over 250 triathlons, including three Hawaii Ironman World Championships, has served on numerous boards, established scholarships for athletes, nurses, and employees, and is a published author. Dorothy Dorion has accumulated many honors and awards, including inductions into halls of fame and lifetime achievements.
Amalia Dorion treasures her grandmother. “Baboo is the most generous, supportive person I know, from cheering for me in my running, to sending me handwritten post cards, to encouraging my education. To have her give back to communities that helped me get to where I am today, means the world to me. I am forever grateful to have such a wonderful and inspiring woman as my grandma.”
Dorothy Dorion fully appreciates Adams State and the depth of caring and individual attention her granddaughter received at all levels. “Adams State turned out to be absolutely wonderful and I am so happy it is now Amalia’s alma mater. The campus is lovely and I was impressed with how her fellow student athletes supported one another. They all want each other to do well.”
Her late husband, George Dorion, had Hispanic ancestry and spoke Spanish fluently. “I appreciated the Spanish-speaking students and how students come from all walks of life; Adams State, with individual attention and support at all levels, wants them all to succeed. That type of individual attention is very rare today, and Adams State is doing a very good job.”
“I cannot express how grateful I am for my time at Adams State, especially my time in the Art Department and my time out running and training on the trails of Alamosa and competing for the running programs,” said Amalia Dorion. “I know I would not have had these opportunities or growth elsewhere.”