About

Tau Zeta Epsilon (TZE), Wellesley College’s Art and Music Society, was founded in 1889 to provide an opportunity for additional study of the arts and promote good fellowship among students. According to the founding mission statement, the purpose of the Tau Zeta Epsilon Society shall be the cultivation and enhancement of an artistic spirit at Wellesley College, leading to a greater appreciation of art, wherever found, and all that tends to the creation of the beautiful.

Tau Zeta Epsilon today, with our varied social, musical, and artistic agenda, little brick house to call our own, and expansive alumnae network, is far removed from the loosely-joined band of our 13 original founding members. Nonetheless, all members of Tau Zeta Epsilon still follow the original mission to create art and spread beauty throughout the world.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING TEA-ING FOR TZE, MIXERS, HOUSE RENTALS OR LECTURE SCHEDULES, PLEASE REACH OUT TO US AT TAUZETAEPSILON@GMAIL.COM.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU!

Lectures

According to the founding mission statement, the purpose of the Tau Zeta Epsilon Society is the cultivation and enhancement of an artistic spirit at Wellesley College, leading to a greater appreciation of art, wherever found, and all that tends to the creation of the beautiful. As such, Tau Zeta Epsilon hosts two music and two arts lectures for the greater Wellesley community during each semester. These lectures often feature distinguished Wellesley professors, outside guests from the Boston area, or various on-campus music groups.

History

Originally named "The Art Society of Wellesley College", Tau Zeta Epsilon is one of six societies established in the late 19th century. Societies were formed to provide an informal setting in which to pursue certain academic interest and also served as social centers for selected members. This society was established to further the study of arts in a scholarly fashion. In 1890 the Society became a more permanent on-campus organization and adopted both a name, Tau Zeta Epsilon, and a crest, the winged wheel. From 1900 the society held yearly studio shows exhibiting student art work, as well as adopting the tradition of the Living Portrait in which new members to the Society recreate famous works of art.

Founded

1889

Notable Alumni

Wellesley College President Diana Chapman Walsh

Soong Mei-Ling (Madame Chiang Kai-Shek)

Lulu Chow Wang

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

4 lectures per semester featuring scholars, artists and musicians and their areas of expertise

HOUSE

About

TZE’s first society house was built on the east side of campus, and was removed when construction of the new Science Center began. A new house, fondly referred to as “The Little Brick House on Tupelo Lane” was set to be built near Lake Waban. The site of the house was approved and plans were developed by three TZE graduates: Eleanor Raymond (’09), Helen Baxter Perrin (’23) and Esther Parsons (’23). The plans and site were reviewed by Arthur Shurtleff, a consulting landscape architect, and the new TZE house was finally built in 1929.

Our beautiful English cottage, reminiscent of the Cotswald tradition, has a unique and varied roof of multiple elevations. Although the house can be viewed as four blocks or units, the roof integrates the units by sweeping from one elevation to another without angular breaks, unifying the building. From the slightly elevated roadway approaching the house, the roof produces a dramatic impression, and its polychromatic slate shingles contrast nicely with the brick exterior walls to create the charming effect of the Tau Zeta Epsilon Society House on the shores of Lake Waban.

More on the architect

Eleanor Raymond was the first female graduate of the MIT School of Architecture. She was one of the first woman architects to explore modern designs in the 1940s. The architect also contributed to the construction of the world’s first solar-powered home. Raymond openly shared her queer relationship, pioneering change in more than one way.

More may be found below:

Women Lead a Radical Experiment in Early Solar Power | The Sun Queen

American Experience: The Dover Sun House

Rentals

The Tau Zeta Epsilon House is a treasured home to many members and alumnae of TZE. Any member of Tau Zeta Epsilon or the greater campus community may rent the TZE house for a personal event. Examples of past events for which the TZE house has been rented include class meetings, lectures, luncheons, baby showers, bridal showers, and weddings.

Features of the house include a full service kitchen, a stage, a fireplace, a Steinway & Sons piano, and a deck with four french doors opening onto it. The house has a capacity of 100 people. The front of the house includes beautiful views of the Wellesley campus and the shores of Lake Waban.

Tables, chairs, flatware, and table linens may be rented from local rental companies. Parking space for up to five cars is available on Tupelo lane right next to the house, and additional parking is available in the campus visitors’ lot, at a 5-10 minute walk from the house.

If you are interested in renting The Little Brick House on Tupelo Lane for your own special event, please contact us at bbricen@gmail.com for more information. We look forward to welcoming you into our home!

Alumnae

History and Purpose

The Tau Zeta Epsilon Alumnae Association (the Association) is an alumnae organization founded in November of 2005 by Tau Zeta Epsilon of Wellesley College alumnae. Membership in the organization is open to anyone who was a member of Tau Zeta Epsilon Arts and Music Society during their time as a student at Wellesley. Working in cooperation with the student-run on-campus club, we promote the arts and music on campus and in our local communities, fundraise for charity, and oversee outside rentals of our house in order to maintain its preservation.

Tau Zeta Epsilon (TZE), Wellesley College’s Art and Music Society, was founded in 1889 to provide an opportunity for additional study of the arts and music and promote good fellowship among students. According to the founding mission statement, “the purpose of the Tau Zeta Epsilon Society shall be the cultivation and enhancement of an artistic spirit at Wellesley College, leading to a greater appreciation of art, wherever found, and all that tends to the creation of the beautiful.” Since its inception the Tau Zeta Epsilon Society has served the student body of Wellesley College and the surrounding local community by promoting the arts and music.

The Association provides oversight and guidance in facilitating a functional working relationship between the student club and the administration of Wellesley College. The Tau Zeta Epsilon Alumnae Association is organized exclusively for educational purposes under Section 501(c)(3) (pending) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Fundraising

The Association helps to fundraise through its alumnae network by maintaining its alumnae database and corresponding with alumnae via mail and email. Alumnae contributions are used for house repairs and upkeep, supplies, and furniture, and student financial aid. Please visit our donation page if you would like to make a contribution!

Charity Event Participation

The Association organizes alumnae to participate with current club members in various charity activities such as the Relay for Life Walk, Derby Days events, and Cradles to Crayons events as examples.

Outside House Rentals

The Association coordinates the rental of our clubhouse to outside parties who have some affiliation with Wellesley College. The rental fee collected goes directly towards maintaining the upkeep of the house.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the association to promote arts and music education and appreciation at Wellesley College and throughout the greater Boston Community. Beginning in 2005, the Tau Zeta Epsilon Alumnae Association has emphasized, organized, and supported philanthropic activities related to arts and music in the community.

Board Members

Featured

Bethany Bricen Prince '04

Women and Gender Studies

Just a year after graduating, Bethany learned that the alumna currently overseeing TZE, Erin Lehman ‘81, was looking to turn over her leadership role. She jumped at the chance to stay connected with the club and began taking on house rentals and advocating with the administration on TZE’s behalf. She currently resides in Weedville, PA with her family and works as a women’s health Nurse Practitioner in nearby Dubois.

Brittany Bricen '06

Spanish & Art History

After several years of helping Bethany as needed in coordinating house rentals, Brittany began taking a more active role in partnering directly with the student club members in order to help them make the most of their time in TZE. Brittany currently resides in Quincy, MA and works as a design coordinator for Winston Flowers.

Anne Fairfield-Sonn '12

Studio Art & Psychology

Annie joined the board in 2014 and has been the driving force of our fundraising efforts and helping to engage our youngest and newest alum classes. She currently resides in Boston and works in public relations at Charles River Associates.

Members

**Kristal Maimo ‘26** (she/her)
Abroad Spring ‘25
Africana Studies and Economics Major

**Amelia Deshmukh ‘25**
*Davis-Liason*
Architecture Major

**Krystyl Sengbe ‘25**
*Super Senior*
Peace & Justice Studies Major

**Olivia Edstrom ‘26**
*Secretary*
Chemistry Major

**Lucy Patalano ‘27**
*Social Chair*
Economics Major and Religion Minor

**Yasmeen Early ‘26** *(she/her)*
*I-Chair*
Economics Major and Middle Eastern Studies Minor

**Ashley Song ‘27** *(she/her)*
*Historian*
Economics Major

**Imani Oseso ‘26**
Abroad 2024-25
Undeclared Major

**Leah McClain ‘27** *(she/her)*
Philanthropy Chair
Political Science Major

**Audrey Ming Wai Yip ‘25**
*Super Senior*
Data Science Major with Linguistics Concentration

**Nico Jo ‘25**
*Super Senior*
Economics and Music Major

**Elise Orozco ‘26**
*Co-President*
Economics Major and Biology Minor

**Valerie Zhu ‘26**
*Inactive*
Math Major

**Artemist Pierre ‘27** *(they them)*
*Merch Chair*
Economics Major and Computer Science Minor

**Yari Sissoko ‘27** *(she/her)*
*Iris and Alum Outreach*
International-Relations History Major

**Sophie Ye ‘27** *(she/her)*
*Specials*
Political Science and History Major

**Chinaza Aham-Neze ‘26** *(she/her)*
Inactive
Data Science Major Econ Minor

**Alexa Halim ‘25** *Super Senior*
Data Science Major

**Jennifer Ruffin ‘25**
*Alum Brunch Coordinator*
Data Science Major

**Beverly Cohen ‘26**
*I-Chair*
Religious Studies and Psychology Major

**Annette Chun ‘26**
*Co-President*
Political Science and East Asian Studies Major

**Megan Yi ‘27** *(she/her)*
House Manager and *Pub Chair*
Psychology and Media Arts & Sciences Major

**Sonali Dade ‘26**
*Siblinghood Chair*
American Studies and Political Science Major

**Carly Weinberger ‘27** *VP Arts*
Architecture and Economics Major

**Mikayla Tansil ‘25**
*Treasurer*
Chemistry Major

**Linh Dinh** **‘26** *(she/her)*
*Abroad Spring ‘25*
Cinema & Media Studies and Computer Science Major

**Micah Eustache ‘25**
*Web-Developer*
Political Science and Africana Studies Major

**Ozy Odocha ‘26**
*I-Chair*
Philosophy and Psychology Major

**Laya Bommireddy ‘25**
*In-House*
Sociology Major and Economics Minor

**Imaan Jivraj ‘27** *(she/her)*
*Siblinghood Chair*
Psychology and Media Arts & Sciences Major

**Sofia Djojonegoro ‘26** *(she/her)*
*Specials*
Economics and Sociology Major

**Ella Chen ‘27** *Social Justice Chair*
Economics Major and Psychology Minor

We hope that you will consider donating to Tau Zeta Epsilon. All donations are welcome and we appreciate everything you do to support the club. Once we have received your donation, you will receive a confirmation through the payment client or a letter of acknowledgement if you pay by check. If you do not receive a confirmation, please let us know.

Donations:

By Mail: Make checks payable to Tau Zeta Epsilon Alumnae Association (TZEAA)

Brittany E. Bricen '06
212 Main Street, Apt. 36
Ridgway, PA 15853

Via Paypal: tzealumnaeassociation@gmail.com