The Brotherhood Luncheon at SigEp’s 2023 Conclave in San Antonio served as an opportunity to honor members whose real-life actions mirror one of the most enduring ideals in SigEp: brotherly love. Three alumni were recognized with these biennial awards for their heartfelt sacrifice and dedication to others.

When Jim Clayton, Tennessee ’57, fell on hard times with his business, Clayton Homes, fellow SigEp Wallace C. Doud, Wisconsin ’48, helped him navigate the situation and get the business back on track. Clayton was so moved by Doud’s act of selflessness that he endowed the Clayton-Doud Award to recognize brothers who come to each other’s aid in times of trouble.

The 2023 Clayton-Doud Award was presented to Oklahoma Beta chapter brothers Mark McConnell, Oklahoma ’86, and Brad Schick ’87, who dropped everything and rushed to Nevada’s Inyo National Forest when their brother and longtime friend Ron Bolen ’86, got lost during a solo hike on Boundary Peak. The pair, along with one of Bolen’s childhood friends, organized a search for Bolen and felt extremely blessed when their efforts and prayers were answered when they found him.

Past Grand President and Order of the Golden Heart recipient Jack D. Wheeler, North Texas ’61, with his wife Kate, established the Honor of Philias to recognize special expressions of the Fraternity’s cardinal principle of brotherly love by chapters and/or individuals.

The 2023 Honor of Philias was awarded to nature enthusiast and nonprofit founder Mike Mathisen, Baker ’90. Mathisen was inspired to found Follow the Footsteps and make adaptive equipment available to disabled people who want to enjoy the outdoors after seeing his own daughters struggle to navigate difficult terrain. The organization teaches people with disabilities and their families how to navigate the National Trails System with the assistance of adaptive equipment that enables them to safely explore the outdoors.