AlumniNEZ House History as of 1994:
We of Nu Epsilon Zeta have good reason to be proud of our fraternity, not only because of our bands of brotherhood, but because, since its founding in 1921, our fraternity has been a credit to its active membership, a source of pride for its ever growing alumni, and an asset to Northeastern University. Each of us has, in the course of being initiated into the fraternity, been instructed in its history; and each, in some measure, has added to that proud record during his years of active membership.
How many, though, remember the milestones of our seventy-three years; for it was seventy-three years ago on January 26, 1921, that nine young men met in Fred Low's apartment to establish the fraternity that we know today as Nu Epsilon Zeta. The original name of Zeta Gamma Epsilon was not approved by the University, but on November 3, 1921, the University recognized the fraternity under its present name and selected our beloved Dean Melvin, then a Professor of English, to be its first faculty advisor. When Professor Melvin became Dean of Students, professor Towle assumed the duties of faculty advisor and served our fraternity with distinction until his retirement in 1938.
In 1923 Nu Epsilon Zeta acquired its first home, an apartment at 25 St. Botolph St., and one year later, moved to Brookline and the first rented fraternity house at 19 Brook St. We have been continuous residents of Brookline since that time, in 1929 moving to 16 Greenough St. until 1940, when we moved for one year to 71 Toxteth St. also in Brookline. After that one year we then moved back to 16 Greenough where we resided until 1952.
In the early years at Greenough Street the first housemother, Mrs. Hannah "Ma" Smith, came to N.E.Z. and for nineteen years was mother and friend to N.E.Z. Men. After Mrs. Smith's retirement in 1947, house mothers were Mrs. Picchi, Mrs. Matzdorff, Mrs. Mills, and Mrs. Ferguson. In June of 1961, with the approval of the University, the fraternity engaged a chef, Mr. Johnson, rather than a housemother. After Mr. Johnson left there were a few other cooks, some of them good and some of them not so good.
During its earlier years the fraternity had a brief fling at being a "national" by the establishment of a Beta Chapters at Bates College in Maine and The University of Connecticut. Unfortunately no records of this phase of our history have survived. However, those efforts dwindled and our original local Northeastern Chapter has remained as the sole N.E.Z. Fraternity.
In 1951 the University, for the first time, appointed one of our alumni brothers to be faculty advisor to the Active Chapter, Albert Sanderson #23. In 1955 Brother Sanderson resigned and was succeeded by another of our alumni brothers, Sid Austin #254. Sid has served the fraternity as advisor for eleven years, donating his time energy, ideas and experience to the Brotherhood. Brother Austin finally had to forgo his position as advisor in 1966 due to his more prestigious appointments at Northeastern University as associate Dean of Cooperative Education.
Upon Brother Austin's retirement, the University appointed Gerald Brown advisor. Mr. Brown was made an official Brother at a formal initiation and given Brotherhood number #589. Brother Brown served as advisor until 1970 when an increased work load at the University regrettably forced Gerry to resign and take his place as Coordinator of cooperative placement for graduate students.
Currently, David Robbins is faculty advisor to the active Brotherhood, appointed by the University in October, 1970. Since 1966, Dave has been Assistant Director of Housing at Northeastern. By formal initiation, Dave was given the brotherhood number of #653.
Probably no year since 1921 has had as much significance in the progress of our fraternity as did 1952. It was in 1952 that N.E.Z. Alumni, Inc. was formed under the leadership of brother Earl Thomson #17. Other Alumni Organizations had been formed through the years, but none had proved to be as lasting as this organization. Shortly after its beginning N.E.Z. Alumni, Inc. purchased the Fraternity House at 255 St. Paul Street that had been owned by the M.I.T. Chapter of Delta Tau Delta. The Alumni Corporation leased this property to the active chapter and both the Alumni and the Active Chapter have contributed to the many improvements that have been made since 1952.
In the late 1980's the town of Brookline revoked N.E.Z.'s boarding house license; by June of 1988 the brotherhood waved good-bye to the town of Brookline. With great determination and effort by the Alumni and the Active Chapter we found, and moved into our current home of 388 Arborway, in Jamaica Plain, on September 17, 1988. With great dedication and genuine lust for the fraternity, the Brotherhood of N.E.Z. continues. The Brotherhood has faced up to the challenge of restoring and re-establishing the fraternity. We have grown well over 800 brothers, a long way since 18 members were granted our beloved Charter by the University on November 3, 1921.
Thus summarized our seventy-three year record of which all brothers of Nu Epsilon Zeta are justifiably proud. All brothers who have contributed to that record may be assured that the present active chapter and brothers who have not yet joined hands with us in the circle of fraternal brotherhood will carry on the ideals that we have cherished over the years. This past century is just the beginning, our future lies before us.
Traditionally, before the end of each meeting, we would join together in a circle and sing our NEZ Fraternity Song. Though we are miles apart, we can silently review those familiar words in our memory, and in memory of our Brothers who are no longer with us.
The Active Brotherhood needs our financial support. The last two years have been difficult for the Actives as financial obligations at the House and at the University have been -- to say the least -- very challenging. Your generosity is vital to the survival of the Brotherhood. Remember, unlike many donations we are asked to give, 100% of this gift goes to benefit NEZ past, present and future.
Donations of $100.00 or more are eligible to receive a gift and be part of the 3/4 Century Plaque. However, donations of any amount will be greatly appreciated.
