The awarding of the Order of the Golden heart was significant in that two long-standing precedents were broken. Good thing? Bad thing? You can decide for yourself.
First – Judge Mitch Crane. Judge Crane has been a tireless speaker for the fraternity system for many years. Few Sig Eps have not at least heard of him. What many may not know, although it is not a secret by any means, is that he is a Renaissance Brother and was not a Sig Ep as an undergraduate. Judge Crane is, we believe, the first such to be honored with the OGH, and in the opinion of this writer he deserves it as much or more than any other. After the ceremony another alum, himself an OGH, told me he thought that only those initiated as undergrads were eligible. A reading of the OGH Nomination form shows no such prohibition. So, while rare, this appears to be completely kosher.
UPDATE: We are informed the the first Renaissance Brother to be so honored was Brother John D. McClure, III at the 2001 Centennial Conclave in Washington D. C. Thanks for keeping us on our toes
Second – Grand President James Robeson. There is more substance to this question, but once again the award is richly deserved. Just so we don't trip over euphemisms, I'll come out and state that Jim Robeson is gravely ill and showed more fortitude and courage than most in even showing up this year. The OGH form,however, explicitly states that members of the NBD are not eligible. My take on this - It is fitting he receive it now, while he can acknowledge and appriciate our regard for him.
Rules are made to be broken, I suppose. The circumstances were extrordinary and so should the response be.
Note: Please excuse my lack of comment on the other two recipients. This is not a general recognition post. You can get that from HQ when they post it.
