University Terms

Alumna/us/i

Use the word “alumni” to refer to a group of people (of either or both sexes) who have graduated from university. For the singular, we use the gender neutral alum, not alumnus (male) or alumnae (female). See also Inclusive Language.

Joe is a journalism alum.
An alum of the physics program, Jo is pursuing a master’s degree.
Nursing alumni gathered for a chapter event.

Emeritus/a/i

The honorific “emeritus” or “emerita” is used to denote chancellors, presidents, faculty members, librarians and senior instructors who have retired but retain their rank or title. See Plurals vs. possessives: Plurals of compound nouns.

Dr. Christopher Walmsley was named professor emeritus.

Chancellor Emerita Nancy Green Raine was TRU’s first chancellor.
Contributors included two educators emerita.

Undergraduate/graduate students

Public recognition of TRU as a graduate education provider would be enhanced if, whenever possible and appropriate, communications specify “graduate” or “undergraduate” when referring to students.

See Word list for spelling of university terms used frequently at TRU.