University of Wisconsin-Madison
Since 1892 dailycardinal.com
Thursday, September 18, 2025
z
WOMEN’S SOCCER STARS
MAPPING MIDDLE EARTH
The Badgers are currently 6-2 on the young season, largely thanks to a few standouts.
UW exhibit honors the legacy of fantasy map maker Karen Fonstad
+ SPORTS, PAGE 8
+ SCIENCE, PAGE 6
‘This is Slut Shaming 101’: Sister Cindy returns to UW-Madison By Zoey Elwood & Isabella Barajas COPY CHIEF & GRAPHICS EDITOR
Hundreds of students gathered on Library Mall Tuesday to watch evangelical street preacher Cindy Smock, better known as Sister Cindy, urge students to repent for their sexual and spiritual sins and embrace Jesus Christ. Smock is popular on social media, amassing over 400,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares her Evangelical Christian beliefs and her “Ho No Mo” message that encourages modesty and abstinence. The University of Wisconsin-Madison was the twelfth stop on the Sister Cindy and Friends Fall 2025 Tour, with appearances also at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Library Mall was also populated by pro-life activists debating students. Although neither organization is affiliated with Smock, she did voice agreement with things she heard from the
group. Turning Point USA was also working to register voters nearby. Poking fun at her student audience, Smock referred to Tuesday’s visit as “Slut Shaming 101.” Smock has been visiting college campuses for more than four decades, including frequent visits to the UW-Madison campus, beginning in 1979 with her late husband Jed Smock. “Even right here in Wiscon-SIN, this liberal, atheistic-agnostic state,” Smock told The Daily Cardinal, “Gen Z is turning from the hoe life to follow Jesus.” Smock said her own “sinful” past was her inspiration for turning students away from premarital sex and promiscuity. “Back when I was a hoe, I had an abortion, and I regret it to this day,” she said, warning students against abortions and emphasizing the rewarding nature of motherhood, as well as options like adoption and foster care.
Smock said that while someone can be a “physical virgin,” they can still be a “spiritual hoe,” a lifestyle she defined as partying and dressing in revealing clothing, which she believes attracts unwanted male attention. “Ladies, these boys are penises with arms and legs,” Smock said. “Help them out by covering up.” Despite “slut-shaming” women, Smock also defended women, saying “just because a girl is dressed like a hoe, it doesn’t necessarily mean she wants to do you.” Smock highlighted the importance of spreading her message on college campuses, telling the Cardinal she “gets students thinking.” However, many UW-Madison students said they attended the event simply for entertainment, not to genuinely absorb her teachings. “It’s really funny. I don’t believe in her beliefs at all, but it’s just kind of fucking crazy to listen to,” Blu Ginko, a freshman at the UW-Madison,
Performative Men Wanted
told the Cardinal. “I don’t really think [her message] has a real effect on people.” While the crowd actively participated in cheers and chants during the event, many said they were poking fun at Smock and her beliefs. “The way the crowd sounds… that sounds like it’s mockery,” Kylee VanPatten, a freshman at UW-Madison, told the Cardinal. Ginko highlighted his concerns regarding Smock’s religious messages, drawing attention to its absurdity. “I think, if God does exist, he doesn’t care about telling people what to do,” Ginko said. “When people care about telling other people what to do to this extent, to me, it’s just absurd.” While her preaching has been viewed as controversial and extreme, Smock said her message can apply to anyone, and that it is never too late to repent and embrace Christ. “Don’t get triggered,” Smock said. “Jesus loves the hoes.”
UHS hosts free flu vaccine clinics By Madison Moris LIFE & STYLE EDITOR
BAILEY KRAUSE/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Madison crowned the university’s “most performative male” By Madison Moris & Dani Nisbet LIFE & STYLE EDITOR & STAFF WRITER
Feminist literature-carrying, labubu-wearing, matcha-drinking contestants gathered at Library Mall Friday, with the wired earbud-clad participants competing for the title of “most performative male.” About one hundred students huddled on the steps of the Memorial Library to watch the competition, and some were even lucky enough to catch free menstrual products thrown into the crowd. The archetype of the performative male, popularized on social media, pokes fun at men who change their hobbies or style to impress women. Matcha, totebags, feminist literature, carabiners and physical media from artists like Clairo are often associated with the performative male. The event was organized by freshmen Adrea Matulle and Beri Barton. The duo was inspired by other performative male contests across the country. “We were bored, I [had] fun with some graphics and posted it on YikYak,” Matulle said.
Her post received 951 upvotes. For Nathan Johnson, a contestant, his performance was not performative. “This is not an act. This is who I am,” he said. While trying to garner votes, Johnson showcased his electric guitar, a Fleetwood Mac “Rumors” vinyl and his tote bag. Quinn Womer, another contestant, was deemed a finalist for his performance — one which started with a tote bag tour and ended with tampons being flung into the crowd. “I had all the building blocks,” he said. “I was able to put my entire self into this.” Participants voted for the top three by cheering and clapping for their picks. The final three were put to a vote, again off of crowd loudness, and after all the matchas had been drunk freshman Khabbab Gassikia emerged victorious. Gassikia told the majority female crowd that he knew they would vote for the best contestant. “And guess what, they did. They voted for me,” said Gassikia, adding that he
always trusted women. Following his victory speech, Gassikia could be seen walking down Library Mall holding a sign saying “performative men wanted!” Students online did not waste time discussing the event and sharing photos and videos on the app Yik Yak, where the event was first publicized. The “Well Red” Bucky statue in Alumni Park was given a shout out as one user called it, “the true winner of the performative male contest.” After all of the excitement of Friday’s contest, users are looking ahead, discussing possible ideas for future contests. “Is there going to be a performative masc lesbian contest?” one user asked. Another user commented, “Guys can we please do more of these contests like the performative male one!! It’s so fun to have community.” Will contests like this grace University of Wisconsin-Madison’s campus yet again? Only time and YikYak will tell.
University Health Services (UHS) is hosting vaccine clinics at various locations around campus throughout the fall semester to help limit the spread of infectious diseases. Students and employees of the University of Wisconsin-Madison can receive a no-cost flu vaccine with or without health insurance through Dec. 2. “Vaccination is a critical tool we use to protect individuals in our community,” Andrew O’Donnell, Director of Medical Services, told The Daily Cardinal in a statement. “UHS makes it easy and convenient to access vaccines.” During last year’s vaccine clinics, nearly 12,000 students and employees received a flu vaccine. O’Donnell said COVID-19 vaccines are also being offered at the clinics, though eligibility and insurance coverage is subject to Center for Disease Control guidance. This year’s clinics occur as vaccine development and accessibility face scrutiny from Trump Administration officials. In August, Department of Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pulled $500 million in funding from mRNA vaccine development projects used to prevent the flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. O’Donnell said vaccines are important to protect others and prevent the spread of diseases like the flu and COVID-19. “Vaccines protect our campus community,” O’Donnell said. “Especially those with health conditions that put them at an increased risk for more severe disease.” The UHS clinics offer accessible ways to receive vaccines at a time when federal guidance is ever-changing. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order Monday requiring insurance companies to continue covering COVID-19 vaccines despite these changes. In the order, Evers called on the state Department of Health Services and other relevant agencies to “ensure vaccine access for Wisconsinites to the fullest extent of the law and available funding.” Continue reading @dailycardinal.com
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”