Utica University Style Guide
Alumni References
Which Form To Use
When referring to alumni of Utica University, there are:- four spellings, and
- five situations
...to deal with. Here is how it works:
| Form/Spelling Use... | Situation |
|---|---|
alumna | feminine, singular |
alumnae | feminine, plural (rhymes with "she") |
| alumnus | masculine, singular |
| alumni | masculine, plural |
alumni |
|
Class Year
Always identify current students and alumni by their class years. This designation is set off with an apostrophe before the numerals, but no commas before or after.- Judith B. Gorman '64 is an alumna of Utica University.
- James Franklin '21 is a biology major.
(Note: If you are using a program or a font that employs "smart" quotes, be sure to employ a single "end" quote for the apostrophe, not a "start" quote.)
Multiple Utica Bachelor's Degrees
If an alumna/us has earned multiple bachelor's degrees at Utica, use the following convention:- Andrea Fumilia '86, '92 is now a senior school administrator.
Graduate, Medical, Professional, and Honorary Degrees
Utica has special rules for identification of alumni with professional or advanced degrees:Rule One -- When referring to an alumnus/a who has earned a medical, doctoral, or other advanced degree at another institution, instead of using the title "Doctor" preceding the name, place the degree designation after the alumnus/a's Utica class year:
- Julie Mulder '80, Ph.D. is a specialist in biochemistry.
- Frank P. Smith '56, M.D. is planning to attend Homecoming.
- NOT: Doctor Frank P. Smith '56
(This implies the year is in reference to his M.D. when it refers to his Utica bachelor's degree.)
Treat professional degrees in the same manner:
- Annamaria Chavez '96, C.P.A. is now head of an accounting firm.
Rule Two -- If an alumnus/a has earned both his/her bachelor's and graduate degrees at Utica, use the following convention:
- Christine Ominski '92, G'02 has opened a physical therapy practice.
(Utica graduate degree year is preceded by a "G".)
Rule Three -- In the case of an honorary degree from Utica University, use the same convention, placing an "H" before the graduate degree year:
- Congressman Sherwood Boehlert '61, H'94 is planning a campus visit.