Happy Birthday to Us!!!

This week, The Dolphin Network Blog is celebrating its first birthday. If you haven't been a loyal reader, here is a quick synopsis of the type of interesting facts you could have learned sooner through our posts and interviews:

• The cause of the unique weather patterns throughout 2010 (resulting in 49 out of 50 states having received snow at one point) was the position of the jet stream and the Arctic Oscillation were interacting in a manner that was conducive to polar, arctic air sinking down into the U.S., resulting in below average temperatures and record snowfall events. 
• One of the biggest keys to preparing your team for an unknown opponent in a postseason tournament is to make sure the players are getting rest, both mentally and physically because to get to this point in a season is grueling, so any opportunity to allow the team to recharge their batteries is beneficial.
• For most of the University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff basketball team and band members (who were in Jacksonville for the first round of the NCAA Basketball tournament), it was the first time they had visited a beach. They had such a blast, and the band even rehearsed on the beach because they wanted to take every opportunity to stay outside.
• The JU Marine Science Program graduates have gone on to careers that range from Art (Glassblowing) to Zoology, with a wide variety in between, including pharmaceutical sales, health care, veterinarians and engineers. They hold positions with federal, state, regional and local government agencies, as well as private businesses and major corporations. 
• The Dolphin Fine Arts Camp is a week-long endeavor for children ranging from 6-16 that allows them to learn and explore their abilities in art, theater and dancing, as well as make new friends. The camp has been running for over 15 years, and has been quite successful because of the relationship the JU student body has with making the camp work. JU students act as camp counselors for the younger campers (age 6-13), while some older teenage children (14-16) will assist as a junior-type director as well as receive more advanced lessons.
• According to two JU Alumni who work in human resources, the most popular website used by organizations to identify the best candidates for hire is LinkedIn because it is an outlet for people to talk about their professional proficiencies, experience and goals. Additionally, it is a way to increase networking opportunities and research companies of interest to get an idea of the type of people they employ and what they do.
• Independence Day is an example of a holiday that has always been a monumental event in this country. Even during the 19th century, when the country was divided leading up to the Civil War, both the north and the south continued to celebrate Independence Day in glorious fashion because they viewed themselves as Americans first.
• The difference between the 17th best stroke average and 125th best stroke average on the PGA tour in 2009 was exactly one stroke. 
• To get to the finished product of JU's Orientation Week, it takes a lot of preparation work. Starting in May and going through the summer, student coordinators and faculty begin planning all the events. 
• The Community Foundation in Jacksonville (whose President is Class of 1980's Nina Waters) is 46 years old, making it the oldest community foundation in Florida and offering an example of just how young philanthropy is in the state of Florida. 
• In 1971, in an effort to improve JU's enrollment issues, Dr. Robert Spiro opened the first NROTC in the state of Florida. 
• The 2012 election season will determine the future of the Tea Party. In order for the Tea Party to endure, they must present a viable presidential candidate. If they fail in doing this, then they are likely to wind up on the pile of failed third parties. 
• The first Thanksgiving actually happened in October. It was not until the New Deal era under President Franklin Roosevelt that the present date of Thanksgiving was installed. Additionally, it was not until this time that the holiday was even officially named a holiday. Presidents up until this time appreciated this event in history, but never established it as an event worthy of a national holiday.
• The Freshmen Leadership Retreat, held during the summer, has been very successful in helping incoming first-year students prepare for the transition into college life (at least according to one energetic student).
• The success of the Green and GOLD (Givers of the Last Decade) grew throughout 2010. A program for recent graduates, Green and GOLD asks alumni of the past 10 years to give $100 x the numbers of years they have been out, in exchange for a nice package of perks. In 2010, participants grew by 30% and we look forward to many more recent alums stepping up to support their university.
• A JU education can prepare you for almost everything, including winning a race around the world!!!

Who knows what other interesting facts you will learn in our second year. I guess you will just have to keep checking in to find out.