Hearth
THE Vol. 97, No. 3
Eaglebrook School, Deerfield, MA 01342
May 22, 2026
Commencement Speaker Mr. James Neary By Billy Neary ’26
This spring, Eaglebrook is honored to welcome back a distinguished alumnus whose career, leadership, and family ties reflect the enduring values of the school community. The 2026 Commencement speaker is James “Jim” Neary ’80, a successful business leader, proud Eaglebrook graduate, and uncle of current student Billy Neary. His return to campus represents both professional achievement and a lasting connection to the place that helped shape his early years. Mr. Neary grew up nearby in Amherst, Massachusetts. When he first visited Eaglebrook, he was amazed that he could have the opportunity to attend a school like this. Now he credits Eaglebrook with changing the trajectory of his life.
After developing his love of learning at Eaglebrook, Jim went on to attend Phillips Exeter Academy, Tufts University, Kellogg College at Oxford University, and the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. From there, he built an impressive career in finance and private equity. He is currently a Managing Director, Co-Head of U.S. Private Equity, and a member of the Executive Committee and Executive Management Group at Warburg Pincus. As a senior leader at Warburg Pincus, one of the world’s most respected investment firms, he has helped guide major businesses and industries. Through decades of hard work, sound judgment, and leadership, he has earned recognition as a trusted figure in the business world.
Despite all of his professional achievements, Jim has never lost sight of where it all began. He has remained deeply connected to Eaglebrook. He is a proud member of the Board of Trustees and a passionate advocate for the school’s mission. He is often heard saying that Eaglebrook is where he received the foundation to achieve his goals—a place that instilled in him not only academic discipline, but character, resilience, and a lifelong sense of purpose.
Jim also volunteers his time as a Board Member of The Mount Sinai Health System, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Ownership Works, and The Hellenic Initiative. While his professional accomplishments are significant, those who know Jim best also recognize his character. He is admired for his humility, dedication, and loyalty to family. His story shows that success is built not only through talent but through perseverance, discipline, and treating others with respect.
Jim’s connection to Eaglebrook continues through family and tradition. As the uncle of a current student, his visit highlights the strong bonds that often unite generations through the Eaglebrook experience. Returning now as Commencement speaker, he offers students an inspiring example of what can grow from the lessons learned here. As the Class of 2026 prepares to graduate, the Eaglebrook community looks forward to hearing Jim Neary’s reflections on leadership, gratitude, and the opportunities that come from hard work. His return promises to be a meaningful and memorable moment for students, families, and faculty alike.
Baccalaureate Speaker Dr. Cyr-Mutty By Danny Chu ’26
Dr. Paul B. Cyr-Mutty is an English teacher at Eaglebrook School. He currently teaches Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Form. Dr. Cyr-Mutty was born in Tennessee but spent most of his life in New England, mainly in Massachusetts and Maine. In high school, he attended Middlesex School, which he later cited as one of the reasons he considered teaching. The curriculum and the faculty at Middlesex continue to be among his influences in his pedagogy. After Middlesex, he studied at Connecticut College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Education to become a certified teacher for public schools, and then studied at Wesleyan University for his Master̓s degree. After college, Dr. Cyr-Mutty worked at Eagle Hill School, a school for the disabled, where he learned a great deal about teaching and further developed his passion for education. After that, he came to Eaglebrook and has been teaching here for 39 years. However, this is his final year teaching at Eaglebrook, as he will be retiring. We will miss Dr. Cyr-Mutty, and it will not be the same without him.
Dr. Cyr-Mutty says he really enjoys teaching middle school students, particularly because he loves seeing them explore their interests, like when something sparks inside them and pushes them to develop an unstoppable passion. Dr. Cyr-Mutty also says that he loves watching his students grow, whether it is finding their scholarly voice, improving their writing, or discovering their respective passions. One of his favorite moments on campus is seeing Eaglebrook alumni decades after their graduation, seeing how much they have grown, and how much of what they learned in his English class has impacted them.
Dr. Cyr-Mutty has been chosen as the Baccalaureate Speaker for the Class of 2026. He is planning to write his speech under a central theme, taking many notes to develop his ideas. Most importantly, he is looking for an image or a story to relate to his speech, and will be looking forward to making it visible and relatable to the Sixth Formers. Currently, he is still in the process of coming up with ideas, seeing what works and stays. Dr. Cyr-Mutty says that “he is extremely excited to unleash his words of wisdom on the Sixth Formers” as they finally go their separate ways.
Grandparents Day By Chase Quebec ’27
Grandparents Day at Eaglebrook is a cherished tradition that allows grandparents to sit in on classes and attend extracurricular activities around campus. This year it took place on April 24th. The day began with a performance from the school Band during morning Assembly. After the wonderful assembly, students guided their grandparents from class to class, giving them a firsthand experience of what each of the seven
classes is like every day. Grandparents were able to watch class discussions and sit in on lessons, allowing them to see how students engage with their learning. Students also get to showcase and explain what they have been working on in each class. Afterward, families gathered in the dining hall for a delicious lunch. During lunch, the Head of School, Mr. Chase, shared remarks, after which four students spoke about their experiences at Eaglebrook, sharing personal stories about friendships, challenges, and what they’ve learned during their time (continued on page 2)