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

Darvin Nelson

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter

In grade school, mystery books were the only kind of books I could tolerate. While my peers were reading The Fault in Our Stars, I either had my nose in a Nancy Drew novel or was in the middle of a chapter in Encyclopedia Brown. There was something about the characters' ability to investigate a situation that I was envious of. So naturally, as I grew up, I gravitated to the idea of working in a student news environment.

Fresh out of high school, during Summer B 2019, I googled if UNF had a student news organization. That's how I found Spinnaker, a warm nook in the Student Union with a welcoming staff. I started volunteering immediately. Since then, I've navigated almost half of the positions in the news department and learned tremendously from each.

I'm a photography major, so for me, combining photography and writing has been a successful recipe for informing others through effective journalism. Although there are challenges here and there that most journalists face, my curious mind keeps bringing me back to journalism, a truly alluring craft.

All content by Darvin Nelson
Hendricksen and teammate Garret Sams celebrate a win

[Photo] Breaking down Carter Hendricksen’s legendary UNF career

March 14, 2023

Hendricksen may have been one of the team's younger players, but he contributed mightily to the successful 2019-20 season.

Brennan Wojtyla in the Museum of Contemporary Art Artist-in-Residence Studio.

Merging industrial artifacts with fine art, MOCA features UNF artist

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter February 8, 2023

University of North Florida alumni Brennan Wojtyla brings industrial artifacts into a fine art setting in his solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA). Wojtlya has been working as MOCA’s...

Kanopy logo

UNF’s secret free streaming service: Kanopy

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter January 19, 2023

Award-winning movies like Parasite (2019) and Moonlight (2016) are at any University of North Florida (UNF) student’s disposal using Kanopy, a free educational streaming service. Kanopy also has a selection...

Entrance to Neckles’ Bless This House gallery at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Jacksonville.

MOCA artist Shervone Neckles shares the creative process behind her thought-provoking artwork

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter November 16, 2022

The second floor of the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville (MOCA) features Shervone Neckles’ Bless This House, a hospitable collection of pieces that explore welcoming themes of family, home, and...

UFF-UNF is the United Faculty of Floridas UNF chapter, and represents UNF faculty.

Faculty union and UNF BOT tentatively agree on new contract, pending vote

Carter Mudgett and Darvin Nelson November 1, 2022

The University of North Florida faculty union — United Faculty of Florida (UFF) — and Board of Trustees (BOT) tentatively agreed upon a contract last that, if ratified and approved, will give faculty...

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[Photo] Nathan Turoff

January 16, 2020

Marvels She-Hulk: Attorney at Law mid-series review

Marvel’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law mid-series review

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter September 20, 2022

Another hero has exploded from the pages of Marvel Comics, joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Created by Stan Lee, She-Hulk, aka Jennifer Walters (played by Tatiana Maslany) is The Incredible...

One of the events LASO is hosting to celebrate Hispanic History Month at UNF.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with UNF

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter September 15, 2022

¡Hoy es un día especial! It’s time to honor the contributions of Hispanic culture, history, and people. UNF will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with tons of events, including a “Nuestra Noche,”...

A local’s guide to thrifting in Jacksonville

A local’s guide to thrifting in Jacksonville

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter September 9, 2022

Given you might want to buy things like underwear brand new, you never know what gem you may find at the local thrift shop. Second-hand apparel has thankfully become increasingly popular among Gen-Z over...

Interior of the Ogier Garden’s greenhouse.

Nothing beets the Ogier Garden’s hidden gems

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter September 8, 2022

Imagine sitting under the shade of a pear tree, sipping on sweet homemade organic tea as the light breeze tickles your nose with the smell of freshly picked citrus. Well, that peaceful daydream can come...

The gallery of Kara Walkers art at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).

Artist Kara Walker explores race, gender and violence in work displayed at the MOCA

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter August 4, 2022

Covering the walls of the third floor in the Jacksonville Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is a collection of Kara Walker’s pensive artwork. Walker dives into racism, colonialism, gender violence and...

Photo by tabitha turner on Unsplash.

Local bakeries that will bake you smile

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter July 29, 2022

Every now and then, students get a sweet tooth that the typical on-campus Starbucks pastry can’t satisfy. And when you’ve got a craving for baked goods, they might as well be fresh too. Here are some...

person annoyed on phone call

How you can finally stop annoying spam calls

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter July 28, 2022

Does “we’ve been trying to contact you regarding your car's extended warranty” sound familiar to you? Spam calls have been a nuisance to people for a long time, begging the question: How do they...

A girl falling asleep in bed

Does white noise and other background sounds really help you fall sound asleep?

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter July 27, 2022

It's not always easy to get a good night's sleep, especially for students living on-campus. While a new living situation or noisy roommates may make it difficult to get a full eight hours, some studies...

the wooden boardwalk is flanked by tall trees,. In the distance, UNFs campus can be seen

Lot-14 walk-way reopened after hiccup with fallen tree

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter July 19, 2022

The University of North Florida (UNF) issued a Safe Ospreys notification Monday morning, around 8:30 a.m, alerting Ospreys that the Lot 14 boardwalk was closed for the day because a fallen tree had blocked...

A red lifeguard chair stands on a beach as surfers and swimmers ride waves next to the newly constructed Jacksonville Beach pier

Jacksonville Beach pier re-opens after years of construction

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter July 11, 2022

The Jacksonville Beach pier has re-opened to visitors after a lengthy three-year hiatus due to hurricane repairs.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 6 to mark the occasion as the Jacksonville...

Demonstrators gather on the lawn of the Duval County Courthouse

Through the eyes of a photographer: June

Justin Nedrow and Darvin Nelson July 1, 2022

Check out Spinnaker photographer Justin Nedrow and Darvin Nelson's top photos of June! __ For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns,...

Moez Limayem leans against a railing, wearing a blue suit and tie, smiling for a photo

Dr. Moez Limayem officially confirmed as UNF’s next president

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter June 30, 2022

Dr. Moez Limayem was approved by the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) Thursday and has officially become the University of North Florida’s seventh president. Ending a long national search for the...

A crowd of people listen to a speaker

‘We need to take action’: Protesters respond to SCOTUS decision at Jacksonville rally

Carter Mudgett and Darvin Nelson June 25, 2022

Waist-high orange barricades drew a line down the middle of the Duval County Courthouse lawn as hundreds of protesters rallied in downtown Jacksonville Friday evening. With signs raised in the air,...

Protesters walk under a green stoplight during a abortion rights march

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

June 24, 2022

Demonstrators march south of the Duval County Courthouse as they chant various abortion rights messages across downtown Jacksonville on Friday, June 24, 2022.

Downtown Jacksonville Landing View of St.Johns River.

Jacksonville celebrates 200th birthday

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter June 15, 2022

Officially established in 1822, this year marks a milestone for Jacksonville (JAX), signifying 200 years of change with a lot of history to explore. Jacksonville, once named Cowford in its early days,...

Netflix

Is Netflix getting ads?

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter June 7, 2022

Imagine you’re watching the season finale of Stranger Things, and just as the climax unfolds, it's abruptly interrupted by a Coca-cola commercial. Well, that may not be far from the future, as advertisements...

Colorized image of monkeypox

What is monkeypox?

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter June 6, 2022

The monkeypox virus has become a rising topic in media, just as the COVID-19 pandemic is starting to loosen its grip on society. The feeling is familiar to the early months of 2020 before COVID-19 surged...

NOAA Satellites depicts Hurricane Humberto on September 15, 2019.

NOAA expects above-average Atlantic hurricane season for seventh consecutive year

Darvin Nelson, General Assignment Reporter May 24, 2022

The East Coast can expect an active hurricane season because of ongoing La Niña and “above-average” Atlantic temperatures, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) during...

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