The Students' Choice Award was established in 1994 by the Donald L. Harrison College of Business to recognize sustained excellence in teaching effectiveness and student learning. The award is presented by the dean of the Harrison College of Business on behalf of the Dean's Student Advisory Council during the College's annual Honors Convocation. The members of the Dean's Student Advisory Council select an individual on the business faculty to be recognized with the Students' Choice Award. Members of the Student Advisory Council include the presidents of all business student organizations with the Harrison College of Business and a student selected by each business department to represent the various undergraduate majors in the College.

Russell received the award for the first time in 1995 and recently received it again in 2002. Russell has won numerous teaching awards in recognition of teaching excellence. During his past 17 years at Southeast, Russell has received the Faculty of the Year Award presented by the Accounting and Finance Club/IMA Student Chapter; the University Educator of the Year Award by the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; and the Copper Dome Fellowship for Teaching Excellence in the Harrison College of Business.