The official Twitter of Blackburn College. Giving you a four-year headstart with the only student-led Work Program in the U.S.! #BeaverNation #RiseWithBlackburn Blackburn College , founded in 1837 by Rev. Gideon Blackburn, is a private, residential liberal arts college located in Carlinville, Illinois. Blackburn is the only work college with a student-managed work program. Blackburn College links a rigorous and affordable liberal arts education with a unique student-managed Work Program preparing graduates for careers, community engagement, and lifelong learning. The Blackburn community values critical and independent thinking, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, service, shared governance, and moral responsibility.