Labin Duke Named Executive Director of the Blake Center for Faith and Freedom
Director to help bring the College’s educational mission to Connecticut
Somers, Conn. — Hillsdale College is pleased to announce that Labin Duke will serve as the first executive director of the Blake Center for Faith and Freedom. With more than 10 years of experience working for non-profit, Christian organizations, Duke will guide the College’s religious, educational, and outreach efforts in Somers, Connecticut.
“Labin has two degrees in theology and extensive experience in Christian education,” said Hillsdale College Vice President for Administration Rich Péwé. “He is an excellent fit for Hillsdale and its outreach programs at the Blake Center. We are excited to see the gifts from Pres and Helen Blake be well-used under his guidance.”
Duke most recently served as the executive vice president for institutional advancement at Nashotah House, an Anglican seminary located in Nashotah, Wisconsin. Previously, he worked as director of donor relations at Baylor University and the director of donor management at Dallas Theological Seminary.
“What attracted me to Hillsdale College was the seriousness of its commitment to the Christian faith. That is rare these days,” Duke said. “I’m excited to continue that commitment at the Blake Center.”
The Blake Center opened in 2020 after Hillsdale College received a generous gift of land and buildings from Somers residents Prestley and Helen Blake. Among the included buildings was a stone barn, which Hillsdale plans to recondition into a chapel to be used for religious ceremonies or services in connection with College events. A room within Monticello will be similarly reconditioned.
Duke studied biblical and theological studies at Ouachita Baptist University and earned his Master of Theology degree in academic ministry at Dallas Theological Seminary. He, his wife, and his eight children look forward to joining the Somers and Hillsdale communities.