For Duncan Szeliga ’09, success has come from a combination of hard work, patience and a willingness to pursue his passions both on and off the job. Whether excelling on the basketball court, building a career at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard or crafting award-winning decoys, Szeliga has always embraced opportunities to grow and challenge himself. 

Today, Szeliga works as a nuclear rigger at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, a role that requires precision, technical expertise and a commitment to safety. While his career has taken him into a highly specialized field, many of the lessons he learned as a student-athlete at Colby-Sawyer continue to influence his approach to work and life. 

Among his favorite memories from college are the four years he spent playing basketball alongside some of his closest friends. A standout player for the Chargers, Szeliga steadily developed into one of the program's top performers. As a junior, he led the team in scoring with 17.9 points per game, earned Tournament MVP honors at the Rivier Tip-Off Tournament and was named to the New Hampshire NCAA Division III Men's Basketball First Team by the Coaches Association. Throughout his career, he established himself as a force on both ends of the court, earning multiple conference and statewide honors while helping lead the Chargers to numerous victories. 

Looking back, however, Szeliga says the friendships formed during those years mean just as much as any statistic or accolade. 

"The best part was getting to play four years of basketball with some of my best friends," he said. 

Away from work, Szeliga has built another passion into a successful business. He owns a decoy carving company and has become a respected craftsman within the carving community. His work has allowed him to travel extensively, meet collectors and enthusiasts from around the world and sell hundreds of hand-carved decoys internationally. 

Among his proudest accomplishments is earning first place in the New Jersey Shorebird Decoy Contest three consecutive years — recognition that reflects years of dedication to refining his craft. 

While Szeliga takes pride in his professional and artistic achievements, he says his greatest accomplishment is being a father. 

His daughter, Elena, has had the biggest influence on his life and perspective. 

"She has shown me more in the past ten years than I would ever have dreamed of," Szeliga said. "She has made me a better person in all aspects of life, and I hope that continues for many years to come." 

Parenthood has also taught him patience and empathy, lessons that continue to shape how he approaches everyday life. Watching Elena grow and participate in sports has given him an even greater appreciation for the support his own parents provided throughout his athletic career. 

"Being a parent to a young child who plays sports all seasons has made me appreciate my own parents for traveling to all my games for years and years," he said. 

Looking ahead, Szeliga hopes to continue advancing in his career at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard while also growing his carving business and improving his skills as an artist. For him, success means continuing to learn, create and share his work with others. 

Whether on the basketball court, in the shipyard or at the carving bench, Szeliga remains committed to pursuing excellence while staying grounded in what matters most: family, craftsmanship and lifelong friendships.