An alumnus (pl. alumni) according to the American Heritage Dictionary is "a graduate (JC) or former student of a school, college, or university." alumnus. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. In addition, an alumna (pl. alumnae) is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college, or university." alumna. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. If a group includes more than one gender, even if there's onl… (More on Alumnus)