Western Michigan University has a very handy reference guide on distinguishing the various forms of Alumni and Emeriti.
Term | Description/Definition | Example |
Alumna | Singular female i.e. a female graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or university | Jane is an alumna. |
Alumnus | Singular male i.e. a male graduate or former student of a particular school, college, or university | John is an alumnus. |
Alumnae | Plural female i.e. female graduates or former student of a particular school, college, or university | Jane and Mary are alumnae. |
Alumni | Plural male and plural when both men and women are included | John, Jane and Mary are alumni. |
Emerita | Singular female i.e. a female professor having retired but allowed to retain her title as an honor | Jane is an emerita. |
Emeritus | Singular male i.e. a male professor having retired but allowed to retain his title as an honor | John is an emeritus. |
Emeritae | Plural female i.e. female professors having retired but allowed to retain their title as an honor | Jane and Mary are emeritae. |
Emeriti | Plural male and plural when both men and women are included. | John, Jane and Mary are emeriti. |