Fourth Degree Exemplification

The 2025 March Fourth Degree Exemplification is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2025 at St. John Neumann, 44800 Warren Rd, Canton, MI 48187 (click here for map). Registration will start at 9:00am.

Registration for the Exemplification must be in the hands of the District 10 DAYS prior to the event (March 5, 2025). LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE TAKEN, NOR WILL WALK-INS ON THE DAY OF THE REGISTRATION. This is a change to past policy, though it is necessary to ensure a successful Exemplification event.

The dress code for this event will be enforced. Anyone not properly dressed will not be allowed to participate. For men, the dress code is the Fourth Degree Uniform, or, a tux or dark suit, white shirt, dark long tie, black socks and shoes.

Exemplification Registration Form

Exemplification Schedule

Form 4 (PDF)

Form 4 Instructions

The 2025 August 125th Anniversary Fourth Degree Exemplification is being planned for August 23rd, 2025, at a location to be named. Please check later for updated information.

When you went through the first three degrees (Exemplifications of Charity, Unity and Fraternity), you were likely at a degree ceremony with just a few other councils. At a Fourth Degree Exemplification, it is not unusual to have Knights from over 20 different assemblies being exemplified.

Please know the assembly name and number you will be joining. If you have a guest joining you, the guest should know this, as well. You can find this information on your Form 4. Your sponsor should also be able to provide this information and should have given it to you already.

When you arrive at the exemplification location, there will likely be a line of candidates waiting to sign in. You should join that line. If your guest is attending the Ladies Program, she can proceed to the room where she will be greeted by other Ladies. Note that it is very likely she will be in the same room as the registration, though in a different part of the room.

Once you are registered, you will receive a Fourth Degree PG-113 pin which will be covered with a small piece of black tape. You may also receive a flower or other adornment which will be pinned to your lapel. Help will be available to pin the items on your lapel.

At the time noted, all the candidates, along with dignitaries and honorees, will gather for the class photo. Afterwards, candidates and Color Corps escorts will be assembled for the ceremony.

It is worth noting that currently this ceremony is still considered SECRET by Supreme. As such, efforts are taken by those in charge to make sure only 4th Degree Sir Knights and candidates for the 4th Degree are present in the room where the ceremony occurs.

After the ceremony, you will be led back to the dinner location where you will meet with your guest for dinner (if you have a guest joining you). You will be sitting at a table (or group of tables) with other members from your assembly. As you walk in the room, look for signage that will have the seating assignments based on the assembly you joined.

Dinner will be followed by a program that will include remarks from the District Master, the Class Honoree, and other dignitaries.

Putting on Exemplification is a large undertaking. It is not unusual for over 40 candidates to be exemplified with over 200 seated for dinner and the program following the ceremonial.

Commitments are made, especially for a caterer. Understanding that circumstances occur which may preclude the participation of a candidate, color corps member, spouse or anyone from the assembly, the commitment for the food order cannot be undone. The commitment date will vary from caterer to caterer, though it is usually 7 to 10 days prior to the event. Additionally, for the Ladies Program, materials are usually bought and in-hand in roughly the same time frame.

To that end, the refund policy for exemplifications is as follows:

• There will be NO REFUNDS for no-shows for dinner or the Ladies program.
• Refunds WILL be given to candidates that do not complete the ceremony. (This has to do with reporting to Supreme.)

Note that regarding candidates that do not complete the ceremony, it may be necessary to complete a new Form 4, especially if the council has started a new fiscal year.

On Saturday, September 28, 2024, Michigan 1 exemplified 48 new Sir Knights. State Secretary Charlie McCuen III and Lady Pamela joined us for the event. From the Fourth Degree, Michigan 4 master Dale Korson and Lady Dee, PSD and former master Walter Winkle, Jr., former vice supreme master Clifford Wasmund and Lady Susan, former master Mark Brezenski, and Lady Janice, former master John Hundiak and Lady Elizabeth, and former master Duane Lord and Lady Barb were in attendance. This Exemplification's class honoree was Fr. Kishore Batty, SAC. Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [September 28, 2024]

On Monday, June 20, 2024, Michigan District 1 exemplified 20 new Sir Knights. From the Fourth Degree, former vice supreme master Clifford Wasmund and Lady Susan were in attendance. This Exemplification's class honoree was Msgr. Gary Smetanka. Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [June 10, 2024]

On Saturday, April 13, 2024, Michigan District 1 exemplified 35 new Sir Knights. State Board members joining us for the event included State Deputy SK Chris Kolomjec and Lady Julie, State Secretary Barry Borsenik and Lady Mandy, State Warden SK Charlie McCuen and Lady Pam, State Warden SK Dan Fuller and Lady Kara and Immediate Past State Deputy SK Walter Winkle and Lady Karen. From the Fourth Degree, former master John Hundiak and Mark Brezenski, and Lady Jan, were in attendance. This Exemplification's class honoree was Fr. Aidan Logan, OCSO. Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [April 20, 2024]

On Wedensday, December 13, 2023, Michigan District 1 exemplified 12 new Sir Knights. State Warden SK Dan Fuller and Lady Kara joined us for this event. From the Fourth Degree, FVSM SK Clifford Wasmund, FMFD SK Mark Brezenski and Lady Jan, and FMFD John Hundiak were in attendance. Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [December 13, 2023]

On Saturday, September 30, 2023, Michigan District 1 exemplified 61 new Sir Knights. State Board members joining us for the event included State Deputy SK Chris Kolomjec and Lady Julie, State Secretary Barry Borsenik and Lady Mandy, State Warden SK Charlie McCuen and Lady Pam, State Advocate Sk Vern Miron and Lady Christy and Immediate Past State Deputy SK Walter Winkle and Lady Karen. From the Fourth Degree, MFD SK Joe Yekulis and Lady Denise, MFD SK Dale Korson and Lady Dee and many Former Masters were in attendance. This Exemplification's class honoree was Dr. Msgr Charles Kosanke. Dr. Lisa Knysz from the Heart of Christ Clinic was the presenter for the Ladies Program. Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [September 30, 2023]

On Saturday, March 25, 2023, Michigan District 1 exemplified 40 new Sir Knights. State Board members joining us for the event included State Deputy SK Chris Kolomjec and Lady Julie, State Warden SK Charlie McCuen and Lady Pam, State Advocate Sk Vern Miron and Lady Christy and Immediate Past State Deputy SK Walter Winkle and Lady Karen. From the Fourth Degree, VSM SK Ed Ponder and Lady Mary Ann, MFD SK Joe Yekulis and Lady Denise, MFD SK Larry Herman and MFD SK Brandon Robinson and many Former Masters were in attendance. This Exemplification's class honoree was The Very Reverend Jeffrey D. Day, V.G. Lady Karen Winkle was the presenter for the Ladies Program. Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [March 25, 2023]

On Saturday, October 29, 2022, Michigan District 1 exemplified 48 new Sir Knights. State Board members joining us for the event included State Secretary SK Barry Borsenik, State Warden SK Charlie McCuen and Lady Pam and Immediate Past State Deputy SK Walter Winkle and Lady Karen. From the Fourth Degree, VSM Ed Ponder, FVSM Cliff Wasmund and Lady Susan, and many Former Masters were in attendance. This Exemplification's class honoree was Former District Master Mark Brezenski. Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [October 29, 2022]

On Saturday, March 5, 2022, Michigan District 1 exemplified 32 new Sir Knights. State Board members joining us for the event included State Chaplain Fr. Paul Ballien, State Deputy SK Walter Winkle, Jr., and Lady Karen, State Treasurer SK Barry Borsenik and State Advocate SK Charlie McCuen and Lady Pam. From the Fourth Degree, Vice Supreme Master Ed Ponder with Lady Mary Ann and Master Michigan District 3 SK Larry Herman joined Master Michigan District 1 SK Mark Brezenski and Lady Janice. The Exemplification's class honoree was Past State Deputy Mike Malinowski.

Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [March 5, 2022]

On Saturday, September 11, 2021, Michigan District 1 exemplified 29 new Sir Knights. State Board members joining us for the event included State Deputy SK Walter Winkle, Jr., and Lady Karen, State Treasurer SK Barry Borsenik and State Advocate SK Charlie McCuen. From the Fourth Degree, Master Michigan District 3 SK Larry Herman and Lady Jennifer as well as Master Ohio District 1 SK Robert Solomon and Lady Karen joined Master Michigan District 1 SK Mark Brezenski and Lady Janice. The Exemplification's class honoree were the 9/11 victims from 20 years ago.

Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [September 11, 2021]

On Saturday, March 7, 2020, Michigan District 1 exemplified 57 new Sir Knights. State Board members joining us for the event included State Deputy SK Bill Chassé and Lady Marybeth, State Secretary SK Walter Winkle and his son SK Willy Winkle and State Warden SK Charlie McCuen. From the Fourth Degree, many Masters and Former Masters were in attendance. This Exemplification's class honoree was Reverend Thomas Sutherland.

Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [March 7, 2020]

On Saturday, September 14, 2019, Michigan District 1 exemplified 52 new Sir Knights. Most of the State Board joined us for the event, including State Deputy SK Bill Chassé and Lady Marybeth, State Secretary SK Walter Winkle and his son SK Willie Winkle, State Advocate SK Barry Borsenik and Lady Mandy, and State Warden SK Charlie McCuen and Lady Pamela. From the Fourth Degree, many Masters and Former Masters were in attendance, along with Vice Supreme Master Clifford Wasmund and Lady Susan. This Exemplification's class honoree was Saint Pope John Paul II.

Congratulations new Sir Knights, and welcome to the Fourth Degree! [September 14, 2019]

On March 2, 2019, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification at DeCarlo's Banquet Center. [March 2, 2019]

On Saturday, Sepember 15, 2018, Michigan District 1 exemplified 60 new Sir Knights. Most of the State Board joined us for the event, including State Deputy Bill Chassé and Lady Marybeth, State Secretary Walter Winkle and and Lady Karen, State Treasurer Chris Kolomjec and Lady Julie, and State Warden SK Charlie McCuen and Lady Pamela. From the Fourth Degree, many Masters and Former Masters were in attendance, along with Vice Supreme Master Clifford Wasmund and Lady Susan. This Exemplification's class honoree was His Excellency Bishop Bob Fisher. [September 15, 2018]

On March 3, 2018, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification at DeCarlo's Banquet Center. [March 3, 2018]

On September 16, 2017, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification at DeCarlo's Banquet Center. [September 16, 2017]

On March 4, 2017, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification at DeCarlo's Banquet Center. [March 4, 2017]

On September 17, 2016, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification at DeCarlo's Banquet Center. [September 17, 2016]

On March 5, 2016, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification at DeCarlo's Banquet Center. [March 5, 2016]

On September 12, 2015, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification. [September 12, 2015]

On March 7, 2015, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification. [March 7, 2015]

On September 20, 2014, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification. [September 20, 2014]

On March 8, 2014, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification. [March 8, 2014]

On March 2, 2013, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification. [March 2, 2013]

On March 3, 2012, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification. [March 3, 2012]

On March 7, 2009, former 3rd Degree Knights became 4th Degree Sir Knights during the 4th Degree Exemplification. [March 7, 2009]