College Alma mater The meaning of the famous Latin phrase "Alma mater" suggests that the students are "fed" knowledge and taken care by the school or college. Although the term is popular in the USA "Alma mater" is rarely used in the UK. The Latin phrase 'Alma Mater Studiorum', meaning "Nourishing Mother of Studies", is the motto of the University of Bologna in Italy and, as can be seen by the picture of the seal of this ancient college, this educational institution was established in 1088. The term originated in ancient Rome and was used to describe the caring Roman earth goddess Ceres who was the patron goddess of the plebs. |