Alma mater (Latin alma "nourishing/kind", mater "mother"; pl. [rarely used] almae matres) is a term that was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele,[1] and later in Christianity for the Virgin Mary. In English it is often used to refer to any educational institution (most often a college or university) at which one has studied and usually from which one has received a bachelor's degree or associate's degree– i.e., where one is considered an alumnus/alumna.[2] The term may also refer to a song or hymn associated with a school.[3]