Louis S. VanSlyck was elected Grand Worthy Chief of the Universal Craftsmen’s Council of Engineers at their General Convention in Peoria, IL. The UCC of E has been an Ohio Corporation since 1903. It has subordinate Councils in several states and provinces. The term “universal” in their title implies “international.”
VanSlyck is Past Master of Trinity Lodge No. 710, in Canton, Ohio. He is a Knight of the York Cross of Honor, a fifty year member of all the York Rite bodies, and a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He is a recipient of the Purple Cross of York and served two terms as Grand Governor in Ohio for the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. He is currently serving as President of the Ohio Allied Masonic Degrees Association.
Planning is underway for Ohio Council No. 15 to host the 2014 General Convention of the UCC of E at the Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, where VanSlyck is expected to preside.
The UCC of E was formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1903 by Master Masons who were members of various associations of steam or stationary engineers. Over the years, it has evolved from a trade organization with a common bond of Freemasonry to a purely fraternal organization, which now includes women as full members.
