Institute announces $4.5 million learning center

Published 12:08 pm Tuesday, November 25, 2014

These artists renderings show what the new $4.5-million Live Learning Center at the Hormel Institute will look like. Photo provided

These artists renderings show the auditorium of the $4.5-million Live Learning Center at the Hormel Institute. Photo provided

The Hormel Institute announced a $4.5 million addition to its upcoming expansion project on Tuesday — a new auditorium and multifunction room that will make up its new Live Learning Center.

“Cancer is an international disease,” Dr. Zigang Dong, executive director of the Institute, said. “Therefore, we need a global effort to combat it.”

The center will have a 250-seat auditorium with theater-style seating. That includes up-to-date communication technology will be installed for better broadcasting and online conferencing.

Institute officials have discussed an auditorium since announcing the $28.5 million expansion in 2012, but the auditorium wasn’t part of official expansion plans. Institute leaders have decided to go through with the project during the expansion, which will help cut costs and still wrap up by the end of 2015.

Director of Development & Public Relations for The Hormel Institute Gail Dennison discusses details Tuesday of the $4.5-million Live Learning Center planned for the Institute’s west side. Standing with her, from left, are Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong; visiting collaborator Dr. Webster Cavenee, director of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in San Diego; and three of the Institute’s section leaders: Dr. Shujun Liu, Dr. Rebecca Morris and Dr. Edward Hinchcliffe. — Trey Mewes/trey.mewes@austindailyherald.com

With the new technology, researchers in the auditorium will be able to participate in presentations and discussions with other scientists from anywhere around the world. The Hormel Institute’s researchers have many collaborations throughout the United States as well as with scientists in numerous other countries.

Technology in the auditorium will greatly ease the process of collaborating and presenting research to other scientists around the world without having to spend the money and take the time to travel.

It also will enable the Institute to reach larger audiences.

The new center won’t be paid for using state bonding funds but rather a $1.5 million Hormel Foundation grant and a subsequent fundraising campaign. Institute officials have already raised $500,000 toward the center, with major gifts given by Richard and Nancy Knowlton, U.S. Bank, Ecolab, and Pat and Gary Ray.

Officials plan to seek donations from local, regional, national and international sources. Tax-deductible gifts may be made to “The Hormel Foundation” in support of The Hormel Institute’s Live Learning Center and a receipt will be provided for your charitable tax deduction. Donation cards are available at The Hormel Institute and The Hormel Foundation. Gifts can be sent to the Hormel Foundation, 329 North Main St., Suite 102L, Austin, MN, 55912. For more information, call 507-437-9604.

Institute officials say the center could also be used by the community for public presentations and group events arranged by the Austin Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Click here to see a video on the new Hormel Institute Live Learning Center.