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UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

All content by Kristina Smith
On The Horizon: UNF's New Observatory

On The Horizon: UNF’s New Observatory

Kristina Smith April 22, 2019

In the next few weeks, students should keep an eye on the physics building for a change in the skyline. Come May 2019, an observatory dome will be installed on the roof of the physics building. This...

Artist Ricder Ricardo's theme, ster•e•o•type, portrays people that go against society's negative impressions.

The Senior Showcase of Art and Design

Kristina Smith April 21, 2019

Though it was curated at the last minute, the senior showcase at the UNF gallery made for a great afternoon getaway. Nine seniors presented their capstone projects at a reception thrumming with intrigue. While...

Eric Bruder, Courtesy of Indiana University

Eric Bruder will be the new Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Kristina Smith April 18, 2019

Marking the dawn of a new day for UNF's publicity, Eric Bruder was announced as the new Vice President of Marketing and Communications. Over the last few years, Bruder has proved himself as a veteran...

How much do UNF events cost?

How much do UNF events cost?

Kristina Smith April 18, 2019

While snagging shirts and free food from numerous campus events, you may not consider how much it costs to fund university attractions. Every year, the Student Life & Services Fee Allocation committee...

A stellar evening at astronomy night

A stellar evening at astronomy night

Kristina Smith April 13, 2019

At the latest installment of Astronomy night, the Astronomy club welcomed NASA Ambassador Sam Turley and delved into the matter of NASA's Apollo projects. After a short lecture on the history of humankind's...

The first dancers of the evening, Annie Thomas and Sai Spurthi Ravi, greeted guests by placing bindi red dots on their foreheads.

Whisked away to India at the International Dinner Dance

Kristina Smith April 8, 2019

The 28th International Dinner Dance proved to be an evening of excitement and beauty. Once students stepped into the field house, they were transported to a beautiful scene where the theme was a Taste...

Your Professor's Time to Shine at the Faculty Showcase

Your Professor’s Time to Shine at the Faculty Showcase

Kristina Smith April 7, 2019

The annual Faculty Showcase marks a change of pace for the student-faculty roles. For the last three years, the library showcase has been a chance for professors to display their work while students offer...

Ogier Garden's produce can be found in the refrigerated section of Outtakes at the Student Union

Healthy ospreys: UNF succeeds in 3-year health and wellness plan

Kristina Smith April 3, 2019

Has UNF succeeded in prioritizing the health of students? According to a press release, it seems the University has. At the end of a 3-year commitment, UNF has received a "complete" on its health and wellness...

Eating with the Ogier Gardens

Eating with the Ogier Gardens

Kristina Smith March 31, 2019

Students interested in free food and a colorful potluck should watch the calendar. Once a month the Ogier Gardens hosts a potluck where workers try their hand (including any green thumbs) at cooking. At...

"I'm also concerned with how art and activism can change lives." -Dr. Constanza Lopez

Students Stitch Together in Embroidering for Peace

Kristina Smith March 28, 2019

Once March rolls around, anyone strolling by the green will notice embroidered sheets flapping in the wind. This is the Embroidering for Peace event hosted by the Spanish club. Each year this is a chance...

Panda Express is open at the Student Union.

Panda Express expands hours

Kristina Smith March 25, 2019

Panda lovers rejoice—starting on Saturday, March 30, Panda Express will be open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. These hours will extend through the rest of the Spring semester. But as the newest...

The Department of Communication is now the School of Communication

The Department of Communication is now the School of Communication

Kristina Smith March 14, 2019

The UNF Board of Trustees has officially designated the Department of Communication as the School of Communication Thursday afternoon. According to the Osprey Update, this new change reflects the growing...

New Spaces, New Places: Chick-fil-A Renovation and an Honors dorm

New Spaces, New Places: Chick-fil-A Renovation and an Honors dorm

Kristina Smith March 14, 2019

The face of UNF is constantly changing, and the Space Committee has big plans for the future. Future improvements to the university include remodeling Chick-fil-A, new bleachers for the softball field,...

Vladimir Kara-Murza (left), and Andrew Nagorski (right), his interviewer

Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian Freedom Fighter, speaks at UNF for Russian democracy

Kristina Smith March 13, 2019

In the latest installment of the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville, UNF hosted Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza. Kara-Murza is a modern day freedom fighter that constantly risks his life as a...

Brooks College of Health.Photo by Alexis Molinaro

Brooks School of Nursing ranked No. 16 among Best Nursing Programs in Florida

Kristina Smith March 12, 2019

UNF's Brooks School of Nursing ranked number 16 out of 154 schools for Best Registered Nursing Programs in Florida. The rankings are measured by the pass rates of nursing graduates. According to the...

John Aloszka celebrates with Nat Costello as victors of the election

UNF is Moving Forward: John Aloszka wins Bid for Student Body President

Kristina Smith March 6, 2019

In a finale of what proved to be an emotional campaign season, John Aloszka has won the bid for Student Body President along with Vice President pick Natalie Costello. The Forward ticket won with a...

Students have until Wednesday at 6 p.m. to vote for Student Government.

SG Voting: Online or in Person

Kristina Smith March 5, 2019

As election season comes to an end, UNF students have two options for voting in their Student Government elections. From March 5-6, polling booths will be set up outside the UNF library and in the John...

Ron DeSantis answers questions for the press with his supporters by his side.

UNF Poll shows Governor DeSantis has a 60 percent approval rate

Kristina Smith March 4, 2019

According to a recent poll from the UNF Public Opinion Research Lab, Governor Ron DeSantis has an approval rating of 60 percent, 17 percent higher than his predecessor Senator Rick Scott, who's exiting...

Dr. Russell Ivy at Open Forum

Meet Provost candidate Russell Ivy

Kristina Smith March 1, 2019

Russell Ivy was the fourth and final candidate for the Provost open forums. He took this opportunity to detail a few of his initiatives and accomplishments and explain why he could be a great addition...

Student Government Debate.

The Student Government Debate: Statements and Surprises

Kristina Smith February 27, 2019

The Student Government Debate was a chance for presidential candidates Lee Tomlins and John Aloszka to get up and personal to sway their audience. It proved to be a night of insights and surprises. The...

John Aloszka.
Courtesy of the Forward Party

Meet John Aloszka, the Forward Presidential Candidate

Kristina Smith February 26, 2019

Putting their best foot forward, the Forward party has selected John Aloszka as their presidential candidate. Aloszka is no stranger to Student Government and has been with Forward from the beginning. As...

Frontier candidate Lee Tomlins and his VP pick, Nicole Rossomano

Meet Lee Tomlins, the Frontier Presidential Candidate

Kristina Smith February 26, 2019

Though he's venturing into new territory, Lee Tomlins, the Frontier presidential candidate, believes he has what it takes to succeed. Tomlins has held the serious title of Chief Justice of the Student...

Dr. Juan Aceros demonstrates the adaptive toys.

Adaptive Toys at UNF

Kristina Smith February 24, 2019

In a busy week of homecoming and the inauguration of President David Szymanski, the Adaptive Toy lab was one of many to showcase their projects and accomplishments for the school. The lab may be hidden...

Photo by Ronnie Rodgers.

Who’s Running for Student Government?

Kristina Smith February 19, 2019

UNF has two parties with presidential candidates and three with senate candidates running for Student Government office this semester. Here's a quick look at who's running. The Forward Party The...

It's Party Time: An Introduction to UNF Parties running for Student Government

It’s Party Time: An Introduction to UNF Parties running for Student Government

Kristina Smith February 16, 2019

Campaign season is usually a time to dread, but for UNF students it's a time to form their parties and promote ideas that could change the face of the university. For the 2019-2020 year, three parties...

The College of Health is located inside J. Brooks Brown Hall.

Student Fee Assessment Committee Report

Kristina Smith February 12, 2019

While many students aren’t aware of what happens with tuition once it’s paid, the Student Fee Assessment Committee keeps track of every cent. At the first of three Spring 2019 meetings, representatives...

Courtesy of Osprey Productions

“Saturday Night Live” veterans to visit UNF

Kristina Smith February 5, 2019

On February 15, Saturday Night Live veterans Nasim Pedrad and Jay Pharoah will bring a show to UNF as part of an Osprey Productions event. Students can attend for free with their Osprey1card, while...

Courtesy of UNF Public Relations

UNF is distinguished as a Military Friendly school for 10th year in a row

Kristina Smith January 28, 2019

According to a Jan. 28 press release, the University of North Florida has been designated a Military Friendly school for the 2019-2020 year—it’s tenth year in a row. According to the release, each...

Brooks College of Health

UNF earns a place among the elites with Carnegie Classification

Kristina Smith January 16, 2019

UNF has been recognized as a top tier of national universities by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. According to a UNF press release on January 16, 2018, UNF was recognized...

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