@PittOfficial is keeping it 100K

After eight years of hashtags, stories and, of course, aesthetic Cathedral of Learning photos, the @PittOfficial Instagram account has hit a major milestone: 100,000 followers.

The platform has changed a lot since the University posted its first image on March 20, 2018 — social media has become a place to read news, make friends, spread information and learn about things we’re interested in. For Pitt, it’s also a way to connect with the University community, promote innovative research and express — in video, photos, words, likes, comments and shares — who we are.

Whether you’re currently part of the campus community, a recent graduate, a prospective student or just bleed blue and gold, thank you for being a part of this story.

Keep scrolling to see some of our favorite posts of all time, curated by the @PittOfficial social media team.

Ferris reel

Arjun Manjunath (BUS ’25), one of many former student interns who have created content for the account, took a field trip into downtown Pittsburgh to capture a visiting Ferris wheel and talk about the history of George Ferris, who invented it here.

Walk through history

In a 2023 series, student worker Sarah Salaman (CGS ’24), pictured above, and the social team spent the summer visiting Pittsburgh’s incredible cultural institutions, including the Heinz History Center.

Font of knowledge

The @PittOfficial Instagram account is also a place to showcase the University’s visual brand — and it’s come a long way, too. If you scroll through older posts, you’ll see the shift from the “Pitt block” to the current “Pitt script.”

Blind items

In advance of the 2023 season, the social team asked students to help announce Pitt football’s schedule. One catch: They only got to see the opposing school’s logo. This resulted in some amazing answers — but the Delaware Seagulls might be our favorite.

Graduates or Jedi?

When spring commencement falls on May 4, you have graduates pose with lightsabers. May the fourth be with them.

Campus views

This recent post of a snowy day on the Pittsburgh campus — featuring familiar spots like the Cathedral of Learning, Hillman Library and Schenley Plaza — became the account’s most-engaged post of all time.