The James A. Sartain Award
Dr. Sartain was a professor of sociology from 1963 to 1986. This award was established by the department in 1987 in his memory. Dr. Sartain loved the department, his colleagues, and above all, his students. Education was his mission in life. He received the University’s Distinguished Educator Award in 1986. The Sartain Award is awarded to a graduating senior sociology major who best exemplifies the qualities personified by Dr. Sartain: scholarship, humanitarianism, integrity, and commitment to the ideals of the University of Richmond.
Sartain recipient, Morta Jankauskaite with Dr. Bedelia Richards at SOCANTH Spring Celebration, April 15.
Morta is a sociology major driven by her curiosity of the world and background growing up between Lithuania and the U.S. This has shaped her academic interests in the humanities, nature, and the social impacts of emerging technologies like AI. She plans to spend the summer in Lithuania with family, continuing to reflect on what comes next in her journey of learning. Ultimately, she may pursue a career in healthcare or social work.