Graphic Design major Carlye Kalmes, from Delran, N.J., received the Happy Fernandez Endowed Women's Leadership Prize at Moore's 169th Commencement, held Saturday, May 12. Kalmes, who has a minor in Curatorial Studies, said winning the $6,000 was exciting. "I'm just filled with pride," she said. "Finding out was the most exciting news. It helped me finish out the year strong." Moore President Cecelia Fitzgibbon said Kalmes was an ideal candidate for the award. "Carlye would make Happy Fernandez very proud," she said. As a recipient of the award, Kalmes had the opportunity to speak at graduation on how she's learned from her leadership experiences, including forming the curatorial collective MODUS with some peers. MODUS provides accessible space in and outside of Moore's environment where students can pursue personal projects, experiment, fail, collaborate and become part of the many artistic communities in Philadelphia. "I have learned that effective leadership starts as self-motivation, and continues on to inspire those around you," she said. "By making an effort to initiate relationships with as many creative spaces as possible, I have been able to create opportunities for not only myself, but for my peers as well, all while forming connections within the Philadelphia art community." Kalmes said some of the prize money will go back into the operation of MODUS. Kalmes has also been selected to be on Moore's Board of Managers. Earlier this year, she won the College's banner contest. Her design was reproduced on a large banner that will hang over Moore's front entrance for a year.
