Kyra Post awarded the Forman Prize by the Eli Whitney Museum

Kyra has been an apprentice at the Eli Whitney Museum since the age of 13. Kyra was awarded the Forman Prize which is given to recognize an outstanding contribution by a young staff member to the operation of the Eli Whitney Museum's programs. Paul Forman was a founder of the Zygo Corporation, a world class manufacturer of high-precision optical instruments, who also subscribed to the principles of Total Quality Management, a philosophy that an institution's excellence is the direct product of the excellence of its employees on every level. This year's Forman Prize recognizes Kyra Post's exemplary and inspiring leadership.

Bill Brown, Director of the Eli Whitney Museum had the following to say about Kyra in his nomination of her for this award: "Leaders speak in different voices. Some command attention loudly. Kyra expresses her power quietly in thoughtful questions. She is a versatile artist and mechanic open to new challenges. She is so well versed in the mechanics of our programs that other Apprentices turn to her instinctively for direction. Kyra is not possessive of vision or style. She identifies vision and style in her coworkers and students. She does not ask to lead, but her confidence and mastery are so evident that others follow.

Leadership must include forward thinking, attentiveness to the context and horizons of our work. Kyra is the paradigm of the Apprentice who responds to questions with answers that are deeper and more insightful than the questions. If Paul Forman were to return to ask how things are going at the Museum, he would recognize immediately Kyra as the person to talk to."

Following the presentation of the Forman Prize, Kyra then presented the Whitney Medal to Jennifer Oxley, former Eli Whitney Museum apprentice, now the Creative Director of Little Airplane Productions, Wonder Pets and Co-Creator of Peg and Cat. She has won an Emmy Award and a Humanitas Award for her work on the Nick Jr. show Little Bill.

Olivier Kibbey ’18 was also in attendance at the meeting, and spent the afternoon working with World Fellows at the Museum. Hopkins students have a long tradition of working with the Eli Whitney Museum, and many have also been recognized by the Museum with prizes and awards including Angus MacMullen ’14, Alex Leffell ’12, Bryan Pannill ’10, Gerry Della Rocca ’05.