An alumnus (pl. alumni) according to the American Heritage Dictionary is "a male graduate or former student of a school, college, or university." In addition, an alumna (pl. alumnae) is "a female graduate or former student of a school, college, or university." Origin The English word "alumnus" comes from the Latin noun "alumnus" meaning "nursling" or "ward" and has come to mean, within common English usage, a graduate (or nursling) of a seat of learning. "Alumna" is a feminine form of "alumnus"… (More on Alumnus)