Things that you did not know about Masonry was the theme of the 2023 College of Freemasonry that was held at the Damascus Shrine Center on March 4, 2023. The 86 Masons and non-masons who attended learned about how Masons in opposing armies cared for and comforted each other once open conflict had ceased from Michael Karpovage. Similarities and differences between Illuminati and Freemasonry were described by Josef Wages and William Mann addressed incursions into North America by the Knight Templars. Each of the speakers provided insights into ways that basic Masonic principles influenced the course of European and North American history.

A major highlight of the day was the presentation of the Thomas W. Jackson Award for Excellence in Masonic Education to Steven Michener, 32°, MSA and to each of the three guest speakers. The citations on each award were personalized and specified the specific contributions of each recipient in some detail. The comments that we received from many of those who attended were consistently positive. They praised the quality and value of the presentations and the overall organization of the program provided by Brother Edwards and his committee. The Committee would like to sincerely thank all of those Brothers who stepped up on the day of the program and assisted in the myriad of details that needed attention for the program to run smoothly.