Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence opens in style

With the Business Student Leadership Council behind him, Dr. Herbert Wertheim, center, is joined by, from left, FSU Board of Trustees Chair Peter Collins, Wertheim College of Business Dean Michael Hartline, FSU President Richard McCullough and Provost James Clark in marking the grand opening of the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence.
Photo by Kallen M. Lunt Click to enlarge

Florida State University began 2026 by celebrating a new era of world-class business education with a grand opening of the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence on Tuesday, commemorating its new home on West Gaines Street.

The event featured a ribbon-cutting and ceremonial signing of the gift agreement in recognition of Dr. Herbert Wertheim’s $65 million philanthropic investment in the college as well as tours of the 218,000 square-foot facility.

“This project honors our past, it strengthens our present, and it sets a pace for our absolutely amazing future – a future that Florida State University is ready for,” said FSU President Richard McCullough.

Dr. Wertheim is a billionaire optometrist, inventor, businessman and philanthropist, and the founder and president of Brain Power Incorporated, the world’s largest manufacturer of optical tints. In December, the university announced Wertheim’s commitment of financial support to endow and name the college the Herbert Wertheim College of Business and rename Legacy Hall, the college’s world-class new building, the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence.
Donning his signature red fedora, Wertheim expressed how much his momentous gift means to him and his love for higher education.

“I am standing here in front of all of you to say, ‘Thank you to America,’” Wertheim said. “(Thank you) for allowing me to have this opportunity to give back. It’s not the finances; it’s not the money. It’s my heart that I give you. And education has made the difference in my life.”

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