The Order Of Prometheus
Sigma Chapter History
The Order of Prometheus (Theta Omega Phi) was formed at SUNY Geneseo in 1956 by a group of Korean War Veterans. Prometheus was founded with high ideals in not only social areas but community service and academics as well.
In time, other individuals with like minded ideals gathered together to form other chapters of Prometheus. Colonizing from the Alpha Chapter at SUNY Geneseo, the Brothers of Prometheus founded a second group, the Beta Chapter, in 1964 at SUNY Oswego. In 1971, the Beta Chapter of Prometheus was reformed into the Delta Chapter by Vietnam War Veterans after having gone defunct some time before. In 1974, due to lack of membership, the Delta Chapter once more went defunct at SUNY Oswego.
On October 2nd, 1968, in the basement of Van Housen Hall at SUNY Potsdam, the Sigma Chapter of the Order of Prometheus was formed. Twenty-six individuals had heard the call of Prometheus and chosen to answer by forming a new chapter at this school. The Brothers of Prometheus proved themselves to be extremely community minded, participating in many community service projects and becoming active in college activities.
In the summer of 1968 Neil Miller was working at a Muscular Dystrophy camp in Star Lake when he met Roland Tischler, the son of Albin and Stephanie Tischler - Mom and Pop to the Brothers. The Tischlers had seven children, six boys and one girl, of the six boys, three had been stricken with Muscular Dystrophy.
Neil thought it would be a good community thing to take Roland out to activities and he approached Mom and Pop about that. At first it was just taking him to sports and the like, the relationship grew from there. When the other two boys, Artie and Robert, became chairbound they too, were adopted. The Brotherhood's intent grew from simply getting them to events, to more importantly, providing respite care for the kids to allow Mom and Pop to do things without having to gear up and haul the kids around.
The Brotherhood adopted the Tischler's as if they were members of their own families, and the Tischler's also adopted the Brothers, taking them in as if they were their very own children. Five of the six boys were made honorary Brothers of the fraternity, as were Mom and Pop, the other son had already entered college and had chosen to pledge the fraternity, their only daughter was made a sweetheart of Brotherhood.
In an effort to assist the Tischler's in their plight, the Brothers of Prometheus held the first Dance Marathon at Potsdam State in 1974. This first Dance Marathon helped raise funds to buy a specially equipped van to help the Tischlers and their three sons. Over the years Prometheus, with the efforts of many volunteers, raised and donated over $85,000 to Muscular Dystrophy research efforts through the Dance Marathon. The Seventeenth and final Dance Marathon was held in March of 1990, the long honored event was disbanded due to lack of members in the Brotherhood and lack of interest by the local populace.
In the early 80's Roland, Robert and Artie passed away, in an effort to help ease the pain and suffering of the Tischler's, the Brotherhood paid for the funerals of all three boys.
In 1980, the Alpha Chapter announced its intention to merge with the national fraternity of Phi Kappa Sigma, but still retain the name and ideals of the Order of Prometheus. In 1991, the Alpha Chapter once again underwent a change, they withdrew from the national membership of Phi Kappa Sigma, becoming Phi Kappa Chi - The Order Of Prometheus.
Today, the Sigma Chapter of the Order of Prometheus is the only chapter remaining to use the original designation of Theta Omega Phi.
Over the years the Sigma Chapter of Prometheus grew in numbers, fast becoming one of the larger organizations at Potsdam State. Many were the events and causes that the Brothers of Prometheus helped and funded. Over time however, membership dwindled and events were therefore forced to be cut back. In recent years the call of Prometheus has once again gained strength and membership is on the increase once more. No matter the time period or membership status, belief and reliance on the ideals of our Forefathers has never wavered.
The Brothers of Prometheus, no matter their chapter, possess and shall always possess, a strong belief in community service, academics and Brotherhood.
Hold The Fort
