Long-time FIU benefactor Dr. Herbert Wertheim received the 2011 International Horatio Alger Award in recognition of his personal and professional accomplishments, despite humble and challenging beginnings.
Wertheim, who dropped out of high school at the age of 16 and joined the U.S. Navy, overcame dyslexia and poverty as a South Florida youngster to become an engineer, optometrist, educator, inventor and entrepreneur with hundreds of patents, trademarks and copyrights to his name.
He has made important discoveries in the areas of eye care and visual neural-physiology that have helped dyslexics and persons affected with retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. His inventions have protected millions from serious eye diseases that include cataracts, corneal dystrophy and macular degeneration.
