Skip to Main Content
UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source

UNF Spinnaker

Nathan Turoff

Nathan Turoff, Volunteer

Nathan is a theatre/english major at the University of North Florida. He is very interested in theatrical works and dramaturgy. His hobbies include building Lego sets, acting, and watching movies. He is an avid gamer, playing video games, board games, and role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons.

All content by Nathan Turoff
The Mandalorian Season 3 logo. (Courtesy of Disney+)

Is Season 3 of ‘The Mandalorian’ better or worse than its predecessors? A review.

Nathan Turoff, Reporter April 25, 2023

The third season of the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian was finally released this spring, over two years after the second season was released in the fall of 2020. In the meantime, we have seen multiple...

Sign saying "sidewalk closed ahead cross here" on orange construction post

[Photo] UNF offers details on construction on Alumni Drive

Nathan Turoff, Reporter January 18, 2023

A sign posted on the sidewalk on Alumni Drive.

From room expansions to film labs; everything new coming in Lassiter Hall renovation

Nathan Turoff, Ishita Sharma, and Carter Mudgett December 9, 2022

Big changes await University of North Florida students when Lassiter Hall reopens—slated for the spring 2023 semester—to students after years of planning and contracting. The main inhabitants of the...

Harry talks to the town mayor, {Courtesy of SyFy)

Review: ‘Resident Alien,’ the best science fiction comedy TV show

Nathan Turoff, Reporter November 30, 2022

Step into the shoes of an alien that crash lands on Earth and poses as a human doctor in a small town in Colorado. Science fiction and comedy are two wildly different genres that rarely intersect, but...

Leftwich at her graduation, receiving her Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition, photo courtesy of Jamisha Leftwich

Professors before they were professors: Jamisha Leftwich

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor November 16, 2022

Dr. Jamisha Leftwich is a coordinator for the Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) program at the University of North Florida (UNF). Uniquely enough, Leftwich completed her bachelors, masters,...

The UNF class registration page

Class registration access restored after delay, time tickets reassigned

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor November 14, 2022

Access to registration and other myWings services has been restored, according to a University of North Florida alert sent Monday afternoon. "The performance of services should stabilize in the next...

American flags on the Green honoring veterans for Veterans Day.

UNF celebrates Veterans Day

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor November 11, 2022

Tropical Storm Nicole has come and gone, and the University of North Florida is now pivoting to celebrate Veterans Day on Friday. Though students now have a four-day weekend, Veterans Day is more than...

 An excavator and police truck were called out to remove the tree. Photo by Nathan Turoff

UNF crews begin cleanup after Tropical Storm Nicole

Nathan Turoff and Carter Mudgett November 10, 2022

The University of North Florida Physical Facilities and police department crews were already on campus cleaning up after Tropical Storm Nicole passed over Jacksonville Thursday morning.  While appearing...

Storm surge watches and warnings in effect as of the 10 a.m. advisory (National Hurricane Center)

‘Strong winds’ and ‘dangerous storm surge’: Tropical Storm Nicole weakens after overnight landfall

Carter Mudgett and Nathan Turoff November 10, 2022

Making landfall on Florida’s east coast overnight as a Category 1 hurricane, Nicole weakened back to a tropical storm but strong winds, dangerous storm surge and heavy rains continue over a large area,...

UNF logo

“They can’t take away our identity or our culture”: UNF, city leaders speak out against antisemitic messages in Jacksonville

Nathan Turoff and Carter Mudgett November 4, 2022

University of North Florida President Moez Limayem, the Jewish Student Union and other leaders condemned antisemitic messages that were displayed in the city last weekend, including a projected message...

Emily Zeck's TikTok

Alum shares heartwarming story about her UNF professor in viral TikTok

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor October 18, 2022

In 2015, one University of North Florida (UNF) sophomore signed up for the Intro to Leadership course, being freshly taught by UNF Honors Professor — retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General and self-described...

University of North Florida sign

Fall Break is left up to faculty and students, UNF says

Nathan Turoff, Carter Mudgett, and Malorie Aldrich October 14, 2022

Traditionally, Fall Break is two days in October when the campus is closed and classes are canceled but this year, UNF is letting professors decide whether they want to hold classes on those days — making...

Photo courtesy of Osprey Robotics

Club Spotlight: Osprey Robotics

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor October 13, 2022

The University of North Florida (UNF) College of Computing, Engineering and Construction held a showcase with Osprey Robotics last month, inviting all sorts of professionals to a presentation demonstrating...

Colonel Crackers, a giant goldfish floating in the lake outside the library, on its side by shore

Colonel Crackers down!: UNF begins cleanup after Hurricane Ian

Nathan Turoff and Carter Mudgett September 30, 2022

While the damage doesn’t compare to its southern counterparts, the University of North Florida did not escape from Hurricane Ian unscathed.  Spinnaker walked around campus the evening Hurricane Ian...

Coastal Watches/Warnings and Forecast Cone for Storm Center as of 1 p.m. Thursday

Free Wi-Fi hotspots available amidst power outages, some UNF services to resume after Ian

Lauren Fox, Carter Mudgett, and Nathan Turoff September 29, 2022

Comcast announced yesterday that its public Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots are open to everyone in Florida — even people who are not subscribers — in the wake of over 2.6 million Florida homes being without...

UPD's new Ford Explorers circa 2016.

UNF student finds antisemitic symbol on dorm door

Carter Mudgett and Nathan Turoff September 23, 2022

[Story updated at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sep. 25 to remove the hyphen between anti and Semitic in the headline. Story updated at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sep. 23 to correct a factual error about when the student's...

Photo by Justin Nedrow

‘You can go back in time’: UNF reveals interactive map for 50th anniversary

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor September 23, 2022

Part of the University of North Florida’s (UNF) 50th anniversary, two university speakers gave a presentation as part of the UNF library’s Speaker Series, where they unveiled a new in-depth digital...

Students with umbrellas, rain coats and a pride flag gather around a preacher on the Green

Students raise concerns for their safety on campus in discussion on campus preachers

Mallory Pace and Nathan Turoff September 22, 2022

“Misrepresenting the Bible” and “hate speech.” Those are two phrases University of North Florida (UNF) students used to describe preachers on the Green during an open floor discussion led by...

The video game posters, featuring posters for Nintendo’s Metroid Dread and The Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild, the former of which is one of “100’s” of new additions to their inventory, according to the sale

UNF poster sale this week

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor September 20, 2022

The University of North Florida’s (UNF) annual poster sale is this week. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., tables will be set up outside the Student Union with a large selection of posters for purchase. These posters...

Photo courtesy of UNF Library

Epistolae Sancti Hieronymi, The UNF Library’s 526-year-old book

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor September 15, 2022

Every UNF student will probably visit the library at some point in their careers. This massive five-story behemoth holds millions of books, movies and various other resources across its digital and physical...

Timothy Bell

Professors before they were Professors: Timothy Bell

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor September 9, 2022

Dr. Timothy Bell is one of the University of North Florida (UNF)’s most esteemed professors, with over thirty years of education and accounting experience under his belt. One thing that further sets...

The game room, open for business! Photo by Nathan Turoff

What’s new in the Gameroom?

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor September 7, 2022

The University of North Florida (UNF) Game Room in the Student Union is one of the best places for friends to gather, have fun, and be loud, all while remaining indoors. While Freshmen are experiencing...

Limayem smiling, wearing a blue suit

‘Always be accessible’: Moez Limayem marks one month as UNF president

Carter Mudgett, Nathan Turoff, and Kara Scarbrough September 2, 2022

Taking on the role of the University of North Florida (UNF)’s seventh president in stride, Moez Limayem has checked off his first month, spending the time talking to Jacksonville businesses and connecting...

ADHD: What it is and resources available

ADHD: What it is and resources available

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor August 30, 2022

Chances are you’ve heard of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), even if you aren’t a psychology student at the University of North Florida (UNF). ADHD is one of the two most common neurodevelopmental...

The SLS accelerates through the atmosphere faster than a bullet

NASA cancels Orion Launch

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor August 29, 2022

At 8:35 a.m. EST Monday morning, NASA officially canceled their planned launch of the Artemis 1 Mission. The mission was to be the first major test of the Space Launch System (SLS) which would’ve sent...

The SLS in Cape Canaveral

NASA to launch Artemis 1 in preparation for return to the moon

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor August 27, 2022

In the early morning hours on Monday, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will launch the first integrated rocket test of its new Orion Spacecraft, which will one day return humans...

Chally shaking hands with a student

UNF to host part-time job fair this Tuesday

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor August 22, 2022

The University of North Florida’s (UNF) Part-Time Job Fair will be this Tuesday, Aug. 23, according to an email from the UNF Career Services.  The first day of the fall 2022 semester is the Monday...

Photo Courtesy of Amelia Simmons

Best part-time jobs for freshman at UNF

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor August 22, 2022

The class of Fall 2022 will be the University of North Florida (UNF)’s biggest Freshman class ever, according to the university. With this many new students comes a new need for jobs for many of them....

Teresa Steele wears a white jacket with the name "TERESA" written in black sharpie on it and stands next to a young child wearing a black hoodie. The child is holding a baby wearing red and white.

UNF nurse spends 30 years helping people in underdeveloped countries

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor August 8, 2022

With 30 years of international aid experience and three University of North Florida (UNF) degrees, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Teresa Steele believes helping people in developing countries is rewarding...

Professor Charles Fitzsimmons. Courtesy of Charles Fitzsimmons.

Professors before they were professors: Charles Fitzsimmons

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor August 5, 2022

Upcoming professor Charles Fitzsimmons will teach his first University of North Florida (UNF) class in the upcoming Fall semester.  Despite that class being his first time teaching at UNF, Fitzsimmons...

The Clubhouse (glass doors on right) and Osprey Cove (brick building on the left). (Photo courtesy of UNF)

Housing reservations open up: What to know and quick tips

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor August 3, 2022

University of North Florida (UNF) students received an email Monday night detailing how, when and where they can make their reservations to move in for the Fall 2022 semester. Here is what you need to...

Colorized image of monkeypox

“Anyone can get it”: Jacksonville detects first cases of monkeypox

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor July 29, 2022

Jacksonville detected multiple cases of monkeypox last week, shortly before the World Health Organization declared it a “global health emergency.” Monkeypox—like its infamously extinct relative,...

Professors before they were professors: Dr. Heather Truelove

Professors before they were professors: Dr. Heather Truelove

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor July 20, 2022

Professor Heather Truelove is an expert in environmental psychology, among many other things. One uncommon fact about her educational career is that in addition to being a University of North Florida (UNF)...

 Photo by Colin McCann.

Parking permits start opening for purchase, tips for getting one

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor July 18, 2022

Parking has been a long-documented issue for many UNF students, with one recurring complaint being a lack of parking spots near the classrooms.  One contributing factor to this issue is that only a...

Obi Wan Kenobi sits on a hill in the sand with his back to the camera

Obi-Wan Kenobi: Worth the wait? A review

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor July 15, 2022

The announcement of an Obi-Wan Disney+ series in the vein of the Mandalorian was very exciting. For some background, many anthology movies in the realm of Rogue One were planned to be released in the late...

Students in masks and gloves work to uncover the trench more with yellow buckets and other tools

UNF Archaeology Lab finishes Summer A excavation with big finds

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor June 30, 2022

The University of North Florida (UNF)’s Archaeology department wrapped up their Summer A excavation session at Big Talbot Island State Park with some remarkable finds earlier this month. Each summer,...

Someone taking notes during a meeting

Internships bridge the gap between college and the real world, professor explains

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor June 24, 2022

Often a required part of the college experience, students frequently have many questions about the intended purpose of internships. Why get an unpaid internship when you can get a paid job? Is it worth...

UNF Interim President Pamella "Pam" Chally poses for a photograph

Interim President Chally reflects on tenure

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor June 23, 2022

With her tenure coming to a close, Pamela Chally reflected on her 29-year-long University of North Florida (UNF) story, which began long before becoming Interim President almost one year ago. Chally...

Ash Faulkner at his graduation in 2003

Professors before they were professors: Dr. Ashley Faulkner

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor June 21, 2022

Dr. Ashley “Ash” Faulkner may seem like your average University of North Florida (UNF) English professor, but that is not the case. Dr. Faulkner is one of a handful of UNF professors that have a very...

Kirby and the Forgotten Land

Kirby and the Forgotten Land: Creative from beginning to end, a review

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor June 14, 2022

After finishing up my finals for Spring 2022, I moved back home for the summer, ready to fully invest my free time into new video games that had come out while I was still at school. I was torn between...

A rainbow flag waves at the starting line of a Pride Observance Month 5K run at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, June 21, 2019. The rainbow flag is displayed at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning events worldwide as a symbol for diversity in the LGBTQ community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Monica Roybal)

UNF LGBTQ Center to hold “Comics and Queens” brunch

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor June 9, 2022

The University of North Florida (UNF) LGBTQ Center will be holding its quarterly fundraiser, “Rainbow Swoop - Comics and Queens Brunch,” in the Student Union on Sunday, June 12, from 11 a.m. to noon. The...

A red sign with white text reads: FOR HIRE

Good part-time summer jobs for students

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor June 2, 2022

For students not taking courses, finding things to do over the summer might feel like quite a hassle. One thing any and all students should do is get a job, which allows them to get a basic income and...

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

The best Lego Star Wars game: Lego Star Wars the Skywalker Saga, a review

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor May 27, 2022

I was excited from the moment this game was announced. For someone who has been a lifelong fan of Star Wars and Legos, this game gave the impression that it would be a masterpiece out of the gate, and...

Courtesy of Marvel Studios.

A spoiler-free review of ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor May 23, 2022

After dipping their toes into the idea of a multiverse in Spider-Man: No Way Home, the full unrestrained chaos of the theory of infinite realities was put on full display in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse...

The new walkway to Lot 18 will provide students with a newly lit, straight path to the core of campus

Construction of new Lot 14 walkway will finish before summer ends

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor May 18, 2022

In the midst of the spring semester, many Osprey’s were thrown for a loop when the cement pathway leading to the main campus from Lot 14 was closed down. However, this was just to create a better path,...

The USS Orleck, moored on the North bank of the St Johns River.

The USS Orleck’s future in Jacksonville

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor May 5, 2022

Last March, Jacksonville residents making their daily drive across the Main Street Bridge were greeted with an unfamiliar sight in the St. Johns River. The USS Orleck, a former Navy destroyer, had dropped...

(Robina Weermeijer/Unsplash)

Multimillion-dollar Alzheimer’s disease prevention research led by UNF professor

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor April 22, 2022

(Updated April 23, 2022, to correct minor factual inconsistencies.) Most students may not have Alzheimer’s disease, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t care. Meet Dr. Jody Nicholson, a University...

(P.O.sitive Negative/Unsplash)

Are UNF students addicted to coffee?

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor April 20, 2022

Most college students face similar struggles—late-night studying and early morning classes—causing many to use caffeine to boost their energy levels faltering from a lackluster sleep schedule, but...

UNF logo

UNF Presidential Search Committee meets, plans for future

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor April 11, 2022

The Presidential Search Committee delivered updates on their search for the new University of North Florida (UNF) president and confirmed they will have a nominee to submit to the Board of Governors (BOG),...

UNF Sculpture Program to bring potatoes to Germany

UNF Sculpture Program to bring potatoes to Germany

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor April 8, 2022

Potatoes are one of the most popular vegetables in the world. People may be familiar with red, gold or even sweet potatoes, but two University of North Florida (UNF) professors are working to add “sculpture”...

Ramadan starts this month; professor explains safe fasting practices

Ramadan starts this month; professor explains safe fasting practices

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor April 6, 2022

This week marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan for Islamic people worldwide, so starting from April 2 until May 2, Muslims are expected to fast during the daylight hours. In other words, no...

turning red movie poster

The “Turning Red” debate: Spinnaker reviews

Julia Croston, Nathan Turoff, and Carter Mudgett April 4, 2022

Pixar’s newest film “Turning Red” has ignited a debate amongst audiences as they wonder whether this quirky animated film is just weird enough to be worth watching or not. Released to Disney+ on...

Drawing of a man drinking beer in one hand and holding an alligator in the other while standing in a boat floating in a swamp.

Origins of the “Florida Man”

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor March 29, 2022

“Florida Man arrested for trying to get alligator drunk,” “Florida Man Arrested For Calling 911 After His Kitten Was Denied Entry Into A Strip Club ,” “Florida man found with drugs after getting...

Courtesy of Netflix.

“The Cuphead Show!”: A half-empty glass of milk

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor March 11, 2022

Last month saw the release of the Netflix animated series The Cuphead Show!, based on the popular indie game from 2017. Coming from a fan of both rubber-hose cartoons and video games, the original game...

Harriet and Ozzie embrace each other, photo courtesy of UNF Digital Commons

Investigating the disappearance of Harriet the Osprey

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor March 9, 2022

Ozzie the Osprey. Any student at the University of North Florida (UNF) should be familiar with that name. Ozzie is the school mascot. The large costumed osprey is a school staple and can be found attending...

A UNF choir member performs the Ukrainian National Anthem during a performance dedicated to a country in crisis on the UNF Green on March 7, 2022.

UNF School of Music perform in solidarity with Ukraine

Nathan Turoff and Carter Mudgett March 7, 2022

It was a warm and sunny Monday afternoon when the Wind Symphony, Orchestra and choral ensembles assembled its instruments in front of the Fine Arts Center. They were all ready and tuning their instruments...

SDS meets with Interim President Chally

SDS meets with Interim President Chally

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor March 4, 2022

The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) protested the University of North Florida’s response to Instagram trivia that “perpetuated racial stereotypes,” holding a sit-in at the President’s Office...

Graphic of the popular word game Wordle

Why is Wordle so addictive? UNF professor explains

Mallory Pace and Nathan Turoff March 3, 2022

Wordle is an online game that has become increasingly popular over the past few months.  The goal of the word game is to guess a random five-letter word that changes daily, in just six tries. This...

UNF Women’s Center Women's Center event calendar advertisement, courtesy of UNF Women’s Center.

Women’s History Month begins today, events to look out for

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor March 1, 2022

Close on the heels of Black History Month, March celebrates Women’s History Month.  The University of North Florida Women’s Center has several events planned across all of March, with the exception...

The new sculpture, which in essence is just the “UNF” abbreviation. Photo by Nathan Turoff

UNF installs new photo-op sculpture near Student Union

Nathan Turoff, Features Editor February 22, 2022

Students at the University of North Florida (UNF) were in for a surprise Monday; a brand-new sculpture was installed at the sidewalk intersection between Building 57, Tom and Betty Petway Hall, and the...

Load More Stories