Photos: FSU celebrates grand opening of new West Palm Beach collaboration space

By: Stephen Stone | Published: | 12:54 pm | SHARE: Share on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on X

FSU President Richard McCullough and First Lady Jai Vartikar join alumnus Ben Macfarland in a ceremonial grand opening of its new West Palm Beach collaboration space at The Press building on Sept. 16, 2025. (Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART)
Ben Macfarland (left) made the generous donation for the new space in West Palm Beach, a gift that FSU President Richard McCullough says gives the university a presence in the area. (Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART)
From L-R: Florida State University Trustees Peter Jones, Peter Collins and Vivian de las Cuevas-Diaz pose for a photo with Ben Macfarland, founder and CEO of SROA Capital, on Sept. 16, 2025. (Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART)
Christina Macfarland, wife of donor Ben Macfarland, shares a conversation with FSU President Richard McCullough on Sept. 16, 2025. (Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART)
FSU President Richard McCullough highlighted the importance of the new space as a conduit for innovation, collaboration and opportunity on Sept. 16, 2025. (Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART)
On Sept. 16, 2025, Michael Hartline, dean of the FSU College of Business, says the university's collaboration with West Palm Beach is a celebration of executive education, investment, philanthropy and the burgeoning financial hub known as Wall Street South. (Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART)
While the space in West Palm Beach is available to any college at the university, the FSU College of Business is the first to use it with the launch of its new executive education program in alternative investments, designed to meet the needs of South Florida’s dynamic market. (Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART)
In-person programs in private credit and hedge funds start with a soft launch this fall, followed by online courses in November and December. The official start of classes at the West Palm Beach space takes place in January. (Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART)