Herbert Wertheim

At age 16, he faced a judge on truancy charges before enlisting in the United States Navy and being stationed in San Diego.

Wertheim and his wife Nicole have enabled gifts of millions of dollars to the University's music, theater, dance, and business educational programs.

These include the 585-seat Concert Hall and a 300-seat mainstage theatre at the Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center (WPAC) at FIU.

[15] In 2018, the Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation made a $25 million donation to the University of California San Diego to establish a school of public health.

[18] Wertheim has served as a member of the University of Miami Citizens Board, Dade County Zoological Society, American Heart Association, Lighthouse for the Blind and the Boy Scouts of America.

It has supported hundreds of local and international educational, cultural, sporting and health care organizations around the world with millions of dollars in financial aid and grants.

The Wertheim Foundation was the first to fund a five-year PBS contract for National Geographic and ten other science and cultural programs for WPBT Miami Public Television.

[citation needed] In April 2011, Wertheim was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association in recognition of his personal and professional successes despite his humble and challenging beginnings.

[20] The La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology elected Wertheim to serve as a director and research advisor in July 2013.