Willard preacher

The Willard Preacher, or Garrison Cattell, is an Orthodox Christian who spends his days preaching outside the Willard Building at the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University. Since 1984 he has devoted his time and energy to espousing his ideals to thousands of PSU Students, and has become a well known and controversial figure at Penn State. Gary's preaching against highly-controversial topics like homosexuality, evolution, abortion, and what he considers sin has led to verbal altercations with numerous students and student organizations, especially those who support gay rights.

Gary Cattell is a widely recognized part of daily Penn State life and is frequently seen to be preaching in front of the steps of Willard Building to a small group of curious onlookers, some listening to him attentively and some looking to spend time between classes. Frequently, he will engage in lively debates with members of the audience regarding the finer points of Christian doctrine or on some politically charged topic like homosexuality, abortion or evolution.

Biography

Born to Newton Cattell and Madelon Cattell, Gary was raised in an atheist home with brothers Jeff and Tom, and sister Kathy. Gary was a student at Penn State where he started off at Penn State Erie - Behrend College , and transferred to the University Park campus after his freshman year. Gary is married to Karen Cattell (formerly Hood), and they have four children : Rachel, Joshua, Rebecca and Micah.

Gary experimented with marijuana and later cocaine in college. His drug abuse problem caused his family considerable distress and made him drop his classes and start living off welfare. During this tumultuous time, he was trying to believe in God and looking for him. All this was about to change when in August 1982, Gary claims that God revealed himself to him on South Pugh Street between Easterly Parkway and Atherton Street in State College.

After living for a couple of years in penury, Gary started preaching in 1984. Meanwhile, in 1982 he met Karen Hood, whom after a brief romance he decided to marry in 1983. Gary decided to start preaching in front of the Willard Building, a site which he selected because a large number of students had classes in that building and due to its prominent location. This site also was where Clarence "Bro" Cope and Steve Michaels preached Christianity in the earlier decade. Bro Cope was to become Gary's mentor providing intellectual fodder and occasionally living space when Gary's abject condition forced him to live on the streets.

In the spring of 1998 Gary Cattell was moved 15 yards from his usual location outside of the Willard Building. Penn State cited that he was a distraction from class and a fire hazard. However on July 30, 1999 modifications made to university policy allowed him to return.

See also

*List of Campus Preachers

External links

*The Willard Preacher (official site)
*Biography in The Daily Collegian
*Penn State modifies speaking restrictions