Alma mater
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother". (Pron. 'ælmə 'meɪtə(r) in British English; usu. 'ɔlmə 'maːɾər in American English.) It was used in ancient Rome as a title for the mother goddess, and in Medieval Christianity for the Virgin Mary. In modern times it is used to refer to the university or college a person attended. It also can refer to a song about a college or university similar to a fight song.
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[edit] History
This term is derived from the motto Alma Mater Studiorum (meaning "Nourishing Mother of Studies") of the oldest continuously-operating degree-granting Western university: the University of Bologna, in Italy, founded A.D. 1088, which is located in the city of Bologna.[1]
[edit] Uses in academe
[edit] As a reference to an academic institution
In many modern languages it is usually and principally heard as a term of academia; thus, in the English language, it is often used in place of the name of the university or college from where a person has attended or graduated. The bronze statue on the steps of Low Library on the campus of Columbia University is of an anthropomorphic Alma Mater, and named so. In American English, it may also be used in reference to the high school that an individual has attended.[2]
[edit] As a song
In addition to this, alma mater may be the incipit, or the first line, of a school's anthem or song, and may be taken as a title for the genre. The term, in this usage, derives from the opening line of what is generally considered the final verse of the academic commercium song Gaudeamus igitur. As such, Gaudeamus igitur may be considered the original alma mater. The song is at least as old as the 18th century, and legend has it the song's origins lie with 13th century intennerant German students, though solid evidence is lacking.[1]
The term is more familiar in the United States than in the United Kingdom. In the United States, the term often refers to the entire school song as opposed to simply the opening.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ University of Bologna
- ^ Lyrics to Lieber and Stoller's song Steadfast, Loyal and True "Farewell Royal High School, We'll remember you, dear alma mater, we're steadfast loyal and true" Retrieved on 24 October 2008
[edit] External links
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Look up alma mater in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- Definition of alma mater at Merriam-Webster Online
- An example of an alma mater "Well I Remember!", from the University of Northern Colorado
- "Crimson and the Blue", the alma mater of the University of Kansas
- "Alma Mater" (sometimes known as Hail Saint Mary's), the alma mater of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
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