Sister Cindy Smock, an evangelical preacher with over 400,000 followers on TikTok, made her annual visit to Bowling Green State University on Tuesday, Oct. 27 for a “Hoeology 101” event.
Smock, who goes by Sister Cindy online, tours campuses across the country to preach about her reformation from her times at the University of Florida, where she was a “bad girl,” a 2021 article by Newsweek reported. Smock is known online and on BGSU’s campus for her open descriptions of sexual behavior.
Despite the language used on her “Ho No Mo” tour, Sister Cindy is able to speak on campus based on BGSU Policy 3341-1-12, which clarifies “It is not the proper role of the University to attempt to shield individuals from free speech, including ideas and opinions they find offensive, unwise, immoral, indecent, disagreeable, conservative, liberal, traditional, radical or wrong-headed.”
The university “welcomes” demonstrations from visitors like Sister Cindy, and recommends “outdoor spaces traditionally accessed for expressive activities,” including the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Oval, where Sister Cindy met with students.
BGSU students said they look forward to Sister Cindy’s annual visits more than other speakers who come to campus.
“I love Sister Cindy. I find her so hilarious…She reminds me of my grandma, and it just brought me so much joy to see her,” said Allison Hossler, a second-year film major.
Other students said Sister Cindy quickly stood out from other speakers.
“She uses a nicer, more open tactic opposed to the protestors that come to our campus and shove their beliefs in our face and/or offend students,” said Christian Ackerman, a second-year robotics major. “Sister Cindy shares her beliefs in a nicer way that doesn’t attack students directly and also makes them feel safe to agree or disagree without feeling persuaded from one side.”
Many students attend her preaches to get laughs.
“I think she does it in a way that’s ironic, or at least the people that are there think that it is ironic, which helps it feel like a good time, where other people on campus don’t make it feel like a good time,” Hossler said.
BGSU Police Lieutenant Corey DiModica, who worked the event, said the station knows students love Sister Cindy compared to other speakers, and that the department tries to help maintain that love through creating a safe environment.
No matter how outrageous, the BGSU community welcomes Sister Cindy back each year.
“I really enjoy when Sister Cindy comes. I think it’s a good time,” Ackerman said. “Even when you don’t agree with what she’s saying, she kind of says it in a fun-filled manner to where it’s not exactly offensive to those that disagree, but it’s also a good time for those in general that are listening.”
