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UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

Lena Perkins

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern

Lena Perkins is Spinnaker’s current staff writer intern. She is a junior studying Communication with a concentration in Advertising at the University of North Florida, while double minoring in Professional & Public Writing and Digital Marketing. She enjoys listening to music, scrolling social media, finding new local coffee shops and any chance to travel.

All content by Lena Perkins
Cameron Robinson, a 13-year-old junior at UNF is at the UNF Bookstore. (Courtesy of UNF)

At 13, UNF junior dives right into college labs and big dreams

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern December 3, 2024

Engineering students this fall may be having a tough time keeping up with Cameron Robinson, a 13-year-old junior who started his first semester at the University of North Florida in August. After moving...

"Goldy," a goldfish sculpture, floats in the lake outside the Thomas G. Carpenter Library and Coggin College of Business at UNF.

Take a break, de-stress before finals: This week’s schedule

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern December 3, 2024

As finals week approaches, University of North Florida students can join various departments on campus to help de-stress. See the schedule below to learn more. De-stress before finals: This week's schedule...

UNF Senior Exhibition at UNF Gallery of Art and Lufrano Intercultural Gallery sign.

Graduating seniors celebrate their artistic accomplishments featured at UNF art galleries

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern November 25, 2024

Nineteen graduating art students showcased their final projects at the Fall 2024 Senior Showcase at the University of North Florida Gallery of Art and Lufrano Intercultural Gallery on Nov. 21. Taking...

Forty-nine immigrants become official citizens of the United States at UNF’s naturalization ceremony. Photo courtesy of UNF.

UNF holds naturalization ceremony to celebrate new U.S. citizens

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern November 22, 2024

A naturalization ceremony was held by the University of North Florida’s Hicks Honors College to celebrate the process of 49 immigrants becoming official citizens of the United States. Over 500 individuals...

A globe floats in the lake in front of the UNF student union for International Education Week 2024.

UNF International Education Week: A schedule of events

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern November 18, 2024

This week, students can join the International Center at the University of North Florida in celebrating International Education Week from Nov. 18 through Nov. 22 to promote the advantages of gaining international...

Importance of civil discourse, difficult conversations discussed at UNF panel event

Importance of civil discourse, difficult conversations discussed at UNF panel event

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern November 18, 2024

Guest panel experts came to the University of North Florida on Nov. 13 to share advice on how individuals can discuss issues healthily by promoting understanding and identifying common ground with each...

Signs around campus encourage students to make an appointment with their advisors before spring registration.

UNF Spring Registration 2025: What students need to know before Nov. 12

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern November 7, 2024

Spring registration week at the University of North Florida is approaching fast as time tickets will open for students to select their classes beginning the morning of Nov. 12. Students can view their...

A sticker that reads "I Voted in Duval County."

2024 Election: Key North Florida races, live updates

Candidate Guides U.S. Senate: Florida In the U.S. Senate race, Republican and incumbent Sen. Rick Scott faces Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in a statewide election.  Rick Scott (R) Scott is a former...

OSLCE provides shuttle service to the polls for Vote Early Day

OSLCE provides shuttle service to the polls for Vote Early Day

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern November 3, 2024

The University of North Florida’s Office of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement celebrated Vote Early Day with a party on the Green on Oct. 29, 2024, to raise awareness for early voting. A shuttle...

This combination of file photos shows Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, speaking at a campaign rally in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 12, 2024, 2024, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaking a town hall campaign event in Warren, Mich., on Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo)

2024 Presidential Election: Live electoral map

Presidential Election 2024 - Spinnaker live map by Spinnaker Newsroom. Updates by Madelyn Schneider. __ *Updates to the interactive graphic reflect electoral vote counts as of Nov. 10 at 3:22...

The UNF Chamber Singers stand and sing in an arc shape in their black uniforms and blue scarves at the UNF Recital Hall

UNF Chamber Singers host preview concert ahead of Orlando performance

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern October 23, 2024

The University of North Florida’s Chamber Singers shared an exclusive preview with select audience members of their performance on Oct. 18 in the UNF Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Center for their upcoming...

Panelists (pictured left to right): Nicholas Seabrook, Justin Sorrell and Adrienne Lerner.

How ‘just’ are Supreme Court justices?: Experts from UNF examine judicial ethics at panel event

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern October 16, 2024

Experts from the University of North Florida spoke on how the judicial branch can restore public trust at a panel event on Monday night at the Student Union.  The free public event, “Trust in Justice:...

Courtesy of UNF Florida Blue Center for Ethics

Ethics is all around us—a schedule of all UNF Ethics Week events

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern October 15, 2024

Students can join The Florida Blue Center for Ethics at the University of North Florida for the celebration of Ethics Week from Oct. 14 through Oct. 18 to examine and raise awareness about ethical issues. With...

A screenshot of the Cyber Bowl scoreboard. View an updated version of the scoreboard here.

The Cyber Bowl: Compete to win prizes and learn about cybersecurity

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern October 9, 2024

As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, students can participate in the Cyber Bowl for a chance to win a prize and gain awareness about cybersecurity issues. Students can be entered to win an exclusive...

OLSCE moved to its new office space this year to Suite 2750, in Tom and Betty Petway Hall, Building 57.

OSLCE marks new center space with open house, free refreshments and swag

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern October 8, 2024

The University of North Florida’s Office of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement held an open house on Oct. 8 to introduce the center's new space and staff. The event provided light refreshments and...

Florida’s minimum wage increased by a dollar. Will it make a difference?

Florida’s minimum wage increased by a dollar. Will it make a difference?

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern October 4, 2024

The minimum wage is now $13 an hour for all workers in Florida and $9.98 for tipped employees. Many companies took the initiative to adjust their employees’ payroll early to prepare for the transition. Since...

(Courtesy of UNF)

Student Life’s spirit week schedule

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern October 1, 2024

The Office of Student Life is hosting Spirt Week at the University of North Florida this week, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4. This week's schedule Sept. 30: Osprey Cafe Takeover: From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.,...

National Weather Service cone map of Tropical Storm Helene as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 24. (NOAA, NWS)

UNF’s Crisis Management Team’s plan for Tropical Storm Helene

Ethan Leckie and Lena Perkins September 24, 2024

According to UNF’s Crisis Management Team’s website, the group “works to ensure that UNF is prepared to respond to, recover from, and diminish the effects of a wide variety of disasters that could...

Hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members attended President Moez Limayem's address.

President Limayem gives motivational address and highlights University achievements at UNF Convocation

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern September 24, 2024

University President Moez Limayem emphasized North Florida’s achievements and goals and said he is proud of the campus community in his address at the UNF Convocation event on Sept. 19. Hundreds of...

Panelists Cord Byrd, Andrew Spar and Wanzhu Shi (left to right) spoke on Monday, Sept. 16 about social media regulation and national security.

Future of TikTok and social media: Students ask, experts answer

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern September 20, 2024

Experts joined forces to talk TikTok and national security on Sept. 16 at the University of North Florida.  UNF students and community members attended the free event, “TikTok on Trial: The Future...

UNF College of Education and Human Services

UNF launches inclusive postsecondary program: USoar

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern September 11, 2024

The USoar Program is a new postsecondary education program at the University of North Florida for non-degree-seeking UNF students with intellectual disabilities. The program received its $1.5 million...

Students hanging out by the pool

UNF Dive-In event runs into conflict due to rain

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern September 7, 2024

Although the event was partially canceled due to inclement weather, hundreds of students lined up in the rain to attend the “Dive-In” movie night event on Sept. 3. Disney and Pixar’s “Inside...

The Circle: Shared community space for the SAC programs in Tom and Betty Petway Hall.

How UNF Student Accessibility Center can support students

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern September 3, 2024

The University of North Florida’s Student Accessibility Center is an inclusive space that provides supportive services for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities. The SAC, which is...

Former Tesla senior director discusses environmental and political issues in panel discussion

Former Tesla senior director discusses environmental and political issues in panel discussion

Lena Perkins, Staff Writer Intern August 28, 2024

This week, Rohan Patel,  former senior director of public policy and business development at Tesla, visited the University of North Florida for a panel discussion. The program, “Powering the Future:...

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