The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown is marking two milestones with a combined 310 years of education. On Friday they held a special event to commemorate the achievement

Friday was founders day for the University of Pittsburgh. This year they mark 225 years. It's a milestone that their branch campus in Johnstown is also celebrating. But Pitt Johnstown has its own milestone to mark this year as it celebrates 85 years.

There were 225 candles lit atop a huge cake on Friday marking the University of Pittsburgh's anniversary. Of those, 85 represented Pitt Johnstown. The university started out in a Johnstown neighborhood in 1927and it was through the support of the community that helped it to grow and relocate to its current campus in Richland Township in 1967.

"This also is a celebration not only for Pitt Johnstown but for the community who built us 85 years ago and has sustained us all this time," said university spokesman Robert Knipple.

A community that the university now helps to sustain.

"We have an economic impact in the region that exceeds $65 million annually and we are one of the largest employees in the region," said Knipple. "All of that has evolved to where we are 85 years later to really make us a foremost contributor to our area's educational, social and cultural development."

While UPJ is a direct branch of Pitt, the school prides itself on being independent.

"We are proud of the University of Pittsburgh, but we are particularly proud to be located here in Johnstown to be in this community," said university president Jem Spectar.

"Although we're part of the same family, we do have some signature programs that make us unique from each other," said Knipple.

With an alumni of more than 19,000 students, the university campus has seen continual growth over the years. Officials said it's hard to imagine, but they're excited for what the next 85 years will bring

"We are very optimistic about the future, " said Spectar. "We believe we will continue to realize our vision to be at the forefront of leading baccalaureate colleges across Pennsylvania."

As for what the immediate future brings, Pitt Johnstown officials said they will soon be breaking ground for a new nursing and health sciences building.