Professor Profile
Randall Billingsley Return on Investment BY ROMMELYN CONDE ’07
JIM STRO
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In a meeting of future CEOs, area managers, and financial analysts, Randall Billingsley quietly observes “spirited discussions” as the group talks about the best course of action for managing a multimilliondollar equity portfolio. Even though the scenario sounds like everyday happenings on Wall Street, this one occurs weekly in Room 1028 of Pamplin Hall. As a faculty advisor for the Student-Managed Endowment Educational Development (SEED) program, Billingsley interjects his thoughts into the conversation sparingly, allowing students to come to their own conclusions. Although he advises closely, Billingsley leaves in student hands the responsibility of investing a $4.3 million endowed fund held by the Virginia Tech Foundation. During his 29 years at Virginia Tech, Billingsley, an associate professor who has served as assistant head of the Department of Finance, has remained committed to practical learning and critical thinking through initiatives such as SEED. Billingsley’s dedication to helping students “learn how to learn” was a key factor in his winning of the university’s 2011 William E. Wine Award for excellence in teaching. The award came as no surprise to those who know and work with Billingsley, especially his wife, Bonnie Billingsley, a professor in the School of Education. “She wasn’t surprised, but I really have to thank my wife. Much of her work is on how to be an effective teacher, so I bounce ideas off her,” said Billingsley. “SEED has been the context that’s really allowed me to teach in a way where I can add value to students’ intellects and, in the process, develop relationships with them.”
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