Alumni/Emeriti
Use the correct form of the word.
Alumna (emerita) is singular female. Jane is an alumna.
(Jane is an emerita.)
Alumnus (emeritus) is singular male. John is an alumnus.
(John is an emeritus.)
Alumnae (emeritae) is plural female. Jane and Mary
are alumnae (emeritae).
Alumni (emeriti) is plural male and plural when both
men and women are included. John, Jane and Mary are alumni (emeriti).
Usage note: You are never wrong using alumni for groups,
even when only women are included. Use of Alumnae (emeritae)
is generally limited to references to the members of women-only
organizations, such as sorority alumnae and Bronco volleyball
alumnae, but even in those cases, it is perfectly acceptable
to use alumni. Never use "All alumnae and alumni are invited."
Use "All alumni are invited."
Correct:
Each alumnus and alumna is invited to attend homecoming.
All alumni are invited to attend homecoming.
He is an alumnus of WMU.
Incorrect:
Each alumni is invited to attend homecoming.
He is an alumni of WMU.
Do not use the slash form alumnus/na. Use alumni to refer
to all or use alumnus and alumna (the full words) to refer
to each. This style also applies to emeriti, emerita, emeritus.
Salutations for form letters
Form letters are addressed to groups. The salutation should,
therefore, be plural.
Examples:
Dear Friends:
Dear Members:
Dear Emeriti:
Dear Alumni:
Dear Alumni and Friends:
Top of page
|
