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Alumni and Emeriti

Western Michigan University has a very handy reference guide on distinguishing the various forms of Alumni and Emeriti.

TermDescription/DefinitionExample
AlumnaSingular female i.e. a female graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or universityJane is an alumna.
AlumnusSingular male i.e. a male graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or universityJohn is an alumnus.
AlumnaePlural female i.e. female graduates or former student of a particular school, college, or universityJane and Mary are alumnae.
AlumniPlural male and plural when both men and women are includedJohn, Jane and Mary are alumni.
EmeritaSingular female i.e. a female professor having retired but allowed to retain her title as an honorJane is an emerita.
EmeritusSingular male i.e. a male professor having retired but allowed to retain his title as an honorJohn is an emeritus.
EmeritaePlural female i.e. female professors having retired but allowed to retain their title as an honorJane and Mary are emeritae.
EmeritiPlural male and plural when both men and women are included.John, Jane and Mary are emeriti.