Blackburn College has named senior Darius Duff, of Waukegan, Illinois, as its 2025-2026 Student Marshal. Selected each year by faculty, the title of Student Marshal is the highest honor achieved by one graduating senior at Blackburn. The title is reserved for one graduating senior each year who excels in academics, leadership, and the College’s nationally recognized Work Program. Candidates must hold at least a 3.3 GPA or rank in the top 20% of their class.
Duff said he was grateful and humbled by the opportunity to serve as a leader for the senior class and represent his classmates. “Being selected as Student Marshal is an incredible honor,” he shared. “It represents not only the effort I’ve put in, but also the encouragement and guidance I’ve received from faculty, staff, and students along the way. My family has also been a significant support system, and I cannot thank them enough.”
Duff is a Business major with an Accounting emphasis. He shares that he was drawn to this particular academic interest because he has always enjoyed working with numbers and solving problems. “It felt like a perfect fit since it combines critical thinking and real-world impact. The accounting field is also so versatile, which gives me a chance to pursue opportunities in different industries.”
Blackburn College is one of ten federally recognized work colleges and the only one with a program managed by students. Through this unique opportunity, he will serve as Manager of the entire Academic Student Work Department this year, one of the largest on campus. In this leadership role, he coaches his peers, coordinates hiring and performance improvement plans, and oversees timecards for student workers across divisions. The department supports students working across academic divisions in roles ranging from tutors and research assistants to concert coordinators and art gallery assistants.
Duff describes his experience in the College’s Work Program as outstanding. “After transferring in my sophomore year, I worked my way up the leadership team, and I’ve gained so much more confidence. I am able to contribute in a professional environment, and it has prepared me for life after graduation.”
Dr. Carley Swalley, Professor of Business and Marketing and Department Chair, believes that Duff exemplifies what it means to be a Student Marshal at Blackburn. “Darius is a role model in every sense of the word. He is a hardworking teaching assistant, a dedicated student worker manager, and a leader on and off the basketball court. No matter the setting—classroom, workplace, or the court—he brings energy, responsibility, and a positive attitude that inspires those around him. His ability to balance so many commitments while excelling in all of them demonstrates his remarkable drive and character.”
She continued, “More than his achievements, it is Darius’s kindness that truly sets him apart. He is considerate, approachable, and deeply respected. Blackburn is fortunate to count him as part of our community, and the Business Department is especially proud to have him represent our students. He embodies the dedication, leadership, and integrity we strive to instill at Blackburn.”
In addition to his academic and work responsibilities, as well as his recent role as a member of the Student Senate, Duff is preparing for his senior season as a member of the Blackburn basketball team. He was named to the SLIAC All-Tournament team as a sophomore. Last year, he led both the team and the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio and ranked third in the conference in assists, earning all-academic honors.
Leslie Johnson, Blackburn’s Dean of Work, helps oversee Blackburn’s distinctive Work Program and mentors its student leaders. She noted that Duff consistently strives for excellence in academics, athletics, and work. “His strong GPA reflects a true dedication to learning and personal growth, while his meaningful contributions as a student-athlete demonstrate his ability to manage rigorous commitments with discipline and integrity,” Johnson said. “Last year, his outstanding work earned him multiple awards, and I was especially pleased to see him promoted to the Academics Department Manager for the current year—a role he has more than earned through hard work, persistence, and excellence. He is deeply deserving of the honor of Student Marshal, and I have every confidence he will continue to make a remarkable impact beyond Blackburn.”
Duff will graduate in May 2026 and plans to pursue a Master’s degree and begin preparing for the CPA exam. When asked about advice to new Blackburn students, he felt like the most important thing he could offer was to encourage students to try new things and step out of their comfort zone. “Blackburn is a place to find who you are as a person. You may not have everything figured out when you first arrive on campus, and that’s the beauty of it. The community, professors and staff, the Work Program, and your fellow students will help you grow and find your path.”