Of Fellowship and Samovars: The Senior Russian Tea Party

The students of Thomas Aquinas College, California, have returned from their Christmas recess and plunged back into their study of the Great Books — and into Great Books-inspired campus traditions. Before their first seminar on Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov on January 8, the Class of 2024 gathered in St. Bernardine of Siena Library for the annual Russian Tea Party. 

The seniors broke out their Czarist best for the occasion. Ladies arrived in elegant dresses accented with jewelry, while gentlemen donned vests and overcoats — and even, in the case of head prefect Will Deering (’24), a black bear pelt. Entering the formal, wood-paneled boardroom, they picked a cup and saucer from the library’s extensive teacup collection, selected their favorites from a wide array of premium teas, and filled their cups from an authentic samovar, nibbling between sips on suitably Slavic desserts. 

Over tea and treats, seniors reminisced about their Christmases and discussed the coming seminar. When all were served and mingling, head librarian Richena Curphey took the time to welcome the seniors and reflect on the evening’s tradition, which began when her predecessor, Viltis Jatulis, acquired a samovar and decided to throw an impromptu tea party. From those humble origins, the Russian Tea Party has become a cherished part of the cycle of campus life. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to kick off the second semester for seniors,” said Miss Curphey. “It’s the first social event of their grand goodbye.”

The seniors were grateful for the evening, lingering until the last minute in the boardroom before heading to the classroom to unpack Dostoevsky’s novel. “It was really fun to dress up and see everyone after break,” said Dillon Tuliau (’24). “And the tea was also great!”