Morristown Beard Welcomes Ryan Liese P’31 as Head of School

The sound of bagpipes and drums filled Founders Hall on Friday, September 4, setting the tone for a day of pomp, circumstance, and celebration as Morristown Beard School officially welcomed Ryan Liese P’31 as its new Head of School.

With faculty and staff in full regalia, members of the School’s senior leadership and Board of Trustees on stage, and students gathered throughout Founders Hall, the MBS community came together for Installation and Convocation. Student flag bearers Lilly Espinal ’29, Isha Reddy ’29, Patrick Sturgeon ’33, and Matthew Troiano ’28 helped lead the ceremony as the School marked the beginning of the 2026–27 school year and Mr. Liese’s first opportunity to address the School as Head of School.

The occasion brought together Heads of School from peer institutions, former MBS Heads of School Peter Caldwell and Philicia Levinson P’19, and Mr. Liese’s family and friends, underscoring the significance of the day as MBS formally welcomed Mr. Liese into his new role. Lee Kellogg Sadrian ’89, P’26, ’28, Vice President of the MBS Board of Trustees, welcomed the MBS community and guests to the ceremony.

Associate Head of School Darren Burns P’19, ’22 then introduced keynote speaker Stephen “Brock” Dunn, Interim Head of School at Oldfields School in Maryland. A longtime friend of Mr. Liese, Mr. Dunn spoke thoughtfully about how the choices we make shape the course of our lives, and the importance of choosing wisely when those moments arise. His remarks were also infused with humor, bringing warmth and levity to the ceremony while offering a personal glimpse into his longtime friendship with Mr. Liese. 

In his remarks, Mr. Liese shared stories from his own life and reflected on the importance of belonging, learning from mistakes, and making room for the people around us.

He began with a story from 2016, when he started a graduate program in Independent School Leadership at Vanderbilt University. He recalled meeting the friends who would become an important part of his life and the experiences they shared during those summers.

“What made that experience unique was not the papers I wrote or the books I read,” Mr. Liese said. “It was the people.”

Looking back on his own school years, Mr. Liese remembered being curious and enjoying school while also wondering where he fit in. “If I felt like I belonged, then everything else seemed just a little bit easier,” he said.

Mr. Liese remembered feeling that same sense of belonging when he first arrived at MBS in 2020. “I don’t think I could have ever dreamt of belonging to a community that made me feel so supported and so valued,” he said. “And now I get to spend my days doing everything I can so that everyone else feels that way, too.”

That sense of community also shaped how Mr. Liese approached the theme of Humor and Humility.  He explained that the ideas are not simply about being funny or putting yourself down. Instead, they require knowing yourself, recognizing your limitations, and being willing to learn from others.

“It’s about understanding that your worth is not tied to being right or feeling the need to receive credit,” Mr. Liese said. “It’s about starting from a point of curiosity, and realizing that everyone you interact with knows something that you don’t, that you know something they don’t, and that you can all learn from each other.”

Following Mr. Liese’s remarks, Skylar Byrnes ’30 and Olivia Andrade-Marin ’30 brought lively energy to the ceremony with their performance of “Our Time” from Merrily We Roll Along.

Student leaders also shared their perspectives on the year ahead. Middle School SGA President Avianna Ferlito ’31 spoke about her goals for the year, including making sure everyone feels included and heard.

Executive President of the Student Government Jared Palker ’27 reflected on MBS as a community built on patience, understanding, and support.

As MBS embarks on its 136th year, Mr. Liese looked ahead to the years to come and the work of building that community together.

“I do know who we are, I do know what we can accomplish when we focus on us and we, and I could not be more honored to begin this journey with all of you.”