The Mutualistic Relationship of Pittsburgh & The University

     As history has surely shown, Pittsburgh, and the major public institution it's home to get along quite well.  From the early success seen in the development of Oakland, the two started off their symbiotic relationship remarkably mutualistic. The wealthy brought with them progressive ideals, and the University provided a place to explore knowledge.  This steady relationship grew even stronger with the building of the Cathedral of Learning, seen as a beacon of high educational regard for both the school and the city alike.  What really cemented the University and the City together though, was their cooperation in defeating the polio virus.  Together they did something that had never been done before, a thing some thought might be impossible. What is clear though from the research, is that the University of Pittsburgh and the city of Pittsburgh have banded together in the past.  While the meanings of those bonds may have changed over time, they are still strong and will not be broken for a very, very long time.