The Hormel Institute’s project to build a collaborative cancer center just got some help from a big partner.

The Institute announced Saturday that the University of Minnesota has provided $1.5 million toward the establishment of its future Live Learning Center to enhance global scientific collaborations and accelerate cancer research.

“Over 70 years ago, Jay Hormel brought to life his great vision for The Hormel Institute and very thoughtfully chose to gift the Institute to the University of Minnesota to achieve his ambitious goal of improving the health of the world through scientific research,” Hormel Foundation Chairman Gary Ray said in a press release. “Together, The Hormel Foundation and University of Minnesota are continuing that mission today in a more global and aggressive way to fight cancer than ever before.”

Ray expressed gratitude for the University of Minnesota’s commitment to The Hormel Institute that will greatly enhance the global presence and influence of the Institute’s cutting-edge cancer research.

It also strengthens, he said, the long-time partnership formed in 1942 between The Hormel Foundation and University of Minnesota by the late Jay C. Hormel, son of Hormel Foods Corp.’s founder George A. Hormel.

Expected to be completed in early 2016, the $4.5 million center will feature state-of-the-art technology for global communications, including high-definition video conferencing, inside of a 250-seat lecture hall with theater-style seating. It will have an adjacent multipurpose room for various uses, including poster sessions by scientists during research conferences.

Read a full story on the University of Minnesota’s $1.5 million donation in Monday’s Herald.