Former ISU street preacher begins classes this fall

After six years of being banned from campus, Larry Faulkner, 27, is back at Indiana State University. But this year he’s taking on a new role as student in addition to his usual one as street preacher.

His first exposure to campus was during the summer of 2001 when he worked in the ISU Bookstore stocking shelves. It was then that he started preaching on campus.

His preaching led to numerous confrontations with members of the campus community in the spring of 2003, including a claim of battery that resulted in his banishment from the university. He was then arrested for trespassing and served six months in the Vigo County jail.

This July, Faulkner appealed to the university and requested that the ban be lifted.

Melony Sacopulos, general counsel and secretary of ISU legal affairs, said that for a ban to be lifted, the individual must make an appeal.

The University decided that the nature of the incidents and the time lapse since the ban went into effect were sufficient to lift the it, starting July 30.

Faulkner said he is looking forward to this year, and during his 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. break between classes, he plans to spend his time preaching on campus.

“It’s a shock to see the lifestyles of some students,” Faulkner said. “But I’m adjusting. I’m learning to work with people. God calls on us to be uncomfortable sometimes.”