Two Texas A&M University–San Antonio students have been recognized among the top accounting and finance students in the San Antonio region, earning Financial Executives International (FEI) San Antonio Dr. Keith Russell Memorial Awards for Academic Excellence.
Rhys Martindale, an accounting major, and Cooper Durben, a finance major, each received a $1,000 scholarship at a recent awards ceremony held at the San Antonio Country Club. The annual awards recognize outstanding academic achievement and professional potential among students studying accounting and finance at colleges and universities throughout the San Antonio area.
FEI is a New Jersey-based professional association for corporate finance leaders. The San Antonio chapter selects two students from each participating institution for the annual award, making this one of the region’s most prestigious honors for emerging business professionals.
Assistant Professor Dr. Beu Lee nominated Durben, and Lecturer Dr. George Murray nominated Martindale. Murray has had both students in his class and said they have distinguished themselves through their commitment to learning.
“Aside from their performance in the classroom, what stood out to me about both of them was their passion for education and the educational process,” Murray said. “They have a genuine interest in learning and wanting to learn. In a classroom environment, students who are engaged and participate really do distinguish themselves, and Rhys and Cooper were two of those students.”
For Martindale, the award represents another milestone in a successful academic journey that began far from South Texas. Originally from Windsor, Conn., he moved to Texas with his family several years ago and later attended a community college in the Austin area before transferring to A&M–San Antonio in fall 2025.
As he explored four-year university options, he toured A&M–San Antonio.
“The campus was really easy to navigate, and everyone seemed very down-to-earth, friendly, and willing to help.”
Martindale has maintained a 3.92 GPA, earned Dean’s List recognition every semester, and is currently gaining valuable professional experience as an intern at Frost Bank.
His interest in accounting began in high school, where he discovered a natural aptitude for the subject.
“My first accounting class in high school—it just clicked,” he said.
Martindale expects to graduate in fall 2027 and hopes to continue building a career in the financial sector. Ideally, he would like to receive a full-time offer from Frost Bank after graduation and eventually transition into an accounting role within the organization.
Durben, who received the FEI Award in Finance, has built an equally impressive academic record. The San Antonio native is an Achiever Promise Scholarship recipient, maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA, and has earned President’s List recognition during his time at A&M–San Antonio.
Expected to graduate in May 2027, Durben is currently working at a Farmers Insurance district office, where he is developing professional communication and customer engagement skills while helping schedule appointments and support marketing efforts.
Following graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in finance, with interests that include risk management and analytical, data-driven roles.
Receiving the FEI award came as a surprise, he said.
“It caught me totally off guard,” he said. “But I was also really proud after seeing so many other high-achieving students from colleges and universities across San Antonio at the ceremony. While I was nervous, the experience was very rewarding.”
For Murray, the accomplishments of Martindale and Durben reflect the caliber of students emerging from A&M–San Antonio’s College of Business.
“These awards recognize outstanding accounting and finance students from across the entire city of San Antonio,” Murray said. “To have Rhys and Cooper selected speaks to their hard work, their academic excellence, and their commitment to learning.”