Florida State University marked a significant milestone on Tuesday, Sept. 16, with the grand opening of its new West Palm Beach collaboration space at The Press building.
Made possible through the generous donation from alumnus Ben Macfarland, the new space helps to strengthen FSU’s commitment to expanding its reach and cultivating partnerships throughout South Florida. Macfarland has donated 2,900 square feet of commercial real estate space and operational costs at no charge for three years as FSU establishes a presence in the area.
President Richard McCullough highlighted the importance of the new space as a conduit for innovation, collaboration and opportunity during the event, which brought together university leadership, donors, alumni, distinguished community members and local officials.
“Ben Macfarland’s generosity and leadership have given FSU a presence in West Palm Beach,” McCullough said. “We are proud to partner with him and excited to continue building together.”
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)
Macfarland, a successful real estate entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of SROA Capital, which owns and operates self-storage facilities and other real estate investments in 32 states and the United Kingdom.
As a College of Business student, Macfarland launched a valet parking business where he employed about 40 Tallahassee college students. He sold that company and got into student housing and eventually had more than 3,200 FSU student tenants.
“Palm Beach County needs to continue to grow our higher education base and quality to service our finance and business community as it evolves into Wall Street South,” Macfarland said. “FSU launching a continuing education program in this area is a great start.”
Macfarland has given generously to the Seminole Boosters and the College of Business, including support for two research labs in Legacy Hall, the college’s new home set to open in 2026. SROA Capital also is a longtime Legacy Sponsor of the FSU Real Estate Center’s annual TRENDS conference.
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)
“This space is more than an expansion of our footprint; it’s the beginning of deeper connections with our alumni and friends, and a new chapter in bringing FSU executive education and programming to the heart of South Florida,” McCullough said.
While the space is available to any college at the university, the 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. 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.
“The grand opening of the Florida State University-West Palm Beach collaboration space marks a remarkable milestone — one that unites our two communities in celebration of executive education, investment, philanthropy and the burgeoning financial hub known as Wall Street South,” said College of Business Dean Michael Hartline.
