Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Alumnus

An alumnus or alumna is a former student and most often a graduate of an educational institution (school, college, university).[1][8] According to the United States Department of Education, the term alumnae is used in conjunction with either women's colleges[9] or a female group of students. The term alumni is used in conjunction with either men's colleges, a male group of students, or a mixed group of students:
In accordance with the rules of grammar governing the inflexion of nouns in the Romance languages, the masculine plural alumni is correctly used for groups composed of both sexes: the alumni of Princeton University.[10]
The term is sometimes in lists shortened to "alum." (optional plural "alums").[11]
"Alumni" (a plural form) is often used as a singular form for both sexes; for example, "I am an alumni of the university", as opposed to "I am an alumnus/alumna of the university." This usage is considered erroneous and is inconsistent with the way the term was used in Latin.
Alumni reunions are popular events at many institutions. They are usually organized by alumni associations and are often social occasions for fundraising.