Submitted by Most Illustrious Companion Corey Curtiss, Most Illustrious Grand Master, Grand Council of Michigan

Pictured from left to right: Steve Striggow, Past Regional Deputy General Grand Master, Ryan Groat, Past Most Illustrious Grand Master, Warren Caruss, Past Regional Deputy General Grand Master

 

On April 24, 2021 at the Strawberry Festival hosted by Leslie Council #50 in Mason, Michigan, Illustrious Companion Ryan Groat, Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of Michigan and Grand Lecturer of the Grand Council, was presented with the Columbian Medal for distinguished service awarded by the General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International.  It was presented by Right Puissant Past Regional Deputy General Grand Masters Steve Striggow and Warren Caruss both past recipients of the Columbian medal. He is a tireless servant for the Craft, especially the Cryptic Rite, and is most deserving.

Most Illustrious Companion Ryan Groat led the Grand Council during a difficult transition following the passing of our long time Grand Recorder. During the end of his term, he developed a on-line membership database system, that has changed the way the Grand Council of Michigan does business; making the work of the local and Grand Recorder a great deal easier.

As Assistant Grand Recorder, Ryan has worked with the Grand Recorder to hone the system, refining and defining the processes of the Grand Council streamlining our day to day operations.

His work is of such importance, that the Grand Chapter of Michigan is considering merging their information with ours; creating a unified information system for the appendant York Rite Bodies of Michigan.