Indiana University’s campus in Gary says is establishing the Northwest Indiana Health Research Institute. It dedicated its new research center to the late Joseph A. Negri, a Chicago businessman who owned General Dairy Products in Gary. Negri’s estate donated $250,000 to the university. It will be used for AIDS and HIV research.

Dr. Roman Dziarski operates the research laboratory at the university, says, “This is a fantastic gift for us. And this enabled us to buy a confocal microscope, which is a state-of-the art, computer controlled, very sophisticated piece of research equipment that otherwise we wouldn’t be able to buy. This is a quarter-million dollar piece of equipment.”

After moving to Ogden Dunes in Northwest Indiana, Joseph Negri remained active in the arts and philanthropy. He died in the early 1990’s at the age of 82. His only surviving brother, Gene Negri, attended yesterday’s dedication.