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.
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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.”
McCullough expressed excitement about starting a new chapter at FSU. Students will share that same feeling as classes in the new building begin Jan. 7.
“We are thrilled to launch this new semester by letting our students and faculty experience the absolute grandeur of the Wertheim Center — named for someone who is the quintessential example of the American Dream,” McCullough said of Wertheim.
Wertheim’s generous investment comes during a transformative period for the College of Business, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary and was recently named the No. 10 Best College for Business in America by Niche.
Michael D. Hartline, dean of the Wertheim College of Business, expressed his “heartfelt thanks to Dr. Wertheim and everyone who played an incredible role in bringing the Wertheim Center to reality.”
“This is our legacy. This is our home,” Hartline said. “And together, we have laid the foundation for generations of students to dream, achieve and lead, and we’re going to proudly do so as the world-renowned Herbert Wertheim College of Business.”
FSU Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins thanked the Florida Legislature for its financial commitment to FSU’s new home for business. He pointed to the Herbert Wertheim Center for Business Excellence as a prime example of money well spent.
The building, the largest academic facility on FSU’s campus, features state-of-the-art classrooms, collaborative learning environments and dedicated spaces for faculty members, students and industry partners to engage.
“I want you to know that our guiding principle is to be a good steward to state taxpayer dollars,” Collins added. “I’d say we’re doing it.”
Collins also praised Hartline for his persistence in helping launch the college’s next chapter as the Wertheim College of Business.
“I just appreciate your doggedness on this — not only the construction, but on the relationship with Dr. Wertheim,” Collins said to Hartline. “It’s a testament to your leadership, and your determination, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Wertheim’s gift creates several endowed funds to support various initiatives within the college, including faculty development, scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students, student professional development opportunities, funding to support preeminence and emerging trends, and a new Wertheim Business of Healthcare Initiative.
Among his many passions, Wertheim believes business plays a crucial role in healthcare. The Wertheim Business of Healthcare Initiative will train business students to fill critical gaps in the healthcare business workforce and work with leaders in the healthcare industry to solve its most vexing problems — a mission that aligns with the university’s bold FSU Health initiative.
“It’s only business that can increase the quality and the affordability of healthcare in America,” he said. “Twenty-two percent of our GDP is business. That’s a lot when you think about it. There’s tens of millions of people who are involved in this business.”
FSU broke ground on the building in October 2022, capping a decades-long effort to fund a new facility. The Herbert Wertheim College of Business, which expects to exceed a record 10,000 students during the spring semester, outgrew the Rovetta Business Building, built in 1958, and the Rovetta Business Annex, added in 1984.
For more information on the Herbert Wertheim College of Business, visit business.fsu.edu.