Full Names and Last Names
Spell out full name on first reference. Use person’s last name on subsequent reference.
- Theater Arts major Tyler Mount ’13 is a two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer. Mount recently visited campus to talk to students about his industry experiences.
In university publications such as magazines and newsletters, highlight in bold the names of alumni, students, parents, donors, faculty members and staff, and other members of the St. Edward’s community on first reference.
- Cindy Smith ’90 has fond memories of the hilltop.
- Joe DeMedeiros, vice president for Advancement, also attended the fundraiser.
Students/ Alumni
Apply the correct Latin terminology.
- alumnus: singular, male
- alumni: plural, male or male and female
- alumna: singular, female
- alumnae: plural, female
NOTE: “Alum” refers to a double sulfate of a trivalent metal. We avoid using “alum” or “alums” when referring to our graduates, except in the most casual reference to fit a specific voice and tone.
When referring to student, graduation year and major:
- Joana Ortiz ’11, Global Studies
When referring to alumni, include the years they graduated.
Include a designation for alumni from the high school or graduate programs.
- June Chen ’95 [bachelor’s degree]
- Percy James hs ’67 [high school]
- Laura Prasifka MBA ’98 [master’s degree]
Put “(deceased)” at the end of deceased alumni:
- Sidney Marceaux ’69 (deceased)
Use a comma between multiple degrees:
- Cullen Mitchell ’78, MAHS ’99 (bachelor’s and master’s degree)
- Brother Stephen Walsh, CSC, ’62, PhD (degree from St. Edward’s and elsewhere)
- Nancy Koughan ’85, DO, MPH, MHA (degree from St. Edward’s and elsewhere)
When referring to a married couple with the same last name who are both alumni, use this style:
List their names/class years separately to avoid confusion. Include the woman’s former name in parentheses if that is how she was known as a student.
- David ’89 and Cindy (Calhoun) Smith ’90 of Austin, ...
- Jane (Smith) Williams ’93 has recently ...
Handle references to parents of students this way:
- David ’89 and Cindy (Calhoun) Smith ’90, and their son Eric ’12 ...
- David Smith ’89 and Cindy Calhoun ’90, and their son Eric Smith ’12 ...
- David Smith ’89 and Cindy Calhoun ’90, parents of Eric Smith ’12 ...
Do not place a graduation year after a name that includes an apostrophe (i.e. John Smith’s ’13)
Rewrite to avoid this scenario.
Titles
Capitalize and spell out titles and rank when they precede a name. Use lower case when titles follow a name or stand alone.
- Professor Bill Quinn ...
- Professor of Biology Bill Quinn ...
- biology professor Bill Quinn ... (lowercase titles that are strictly occupational)
- Christie Wilson, professor of History, ...
- Tom Sechrest, director of the MSLC program at St. Edward’s ...
- Contact the director of Student Financial Services for assistance ...
- Head Coach J.J. Riel led her team ...
- Submit inquiries to the dean of the School of Arts and Humanities ...
- She served as interim dean of the School of Natural Sciences.
- He was appointed director of Career and Professional Development.
- Vice President for Enrollment Management Tracy Manier spoke at ...
- The Vice President for Enrollment Management, Tracy Manier, spoke at ...
- Karin Dicks, director of Alumni and Parent Programs, attended ...
- Father Peter Walsh, CSC, director of Campus Ministry, ...
(Also see Faculty)
When referring to the university president, guidelines are:
- Montserrat Fuentes, PhD, president of St. Edward’s University (formal communications and invitations)
- Montserrat Fuentes, president of St. Edward’s University
- St. Edward’s University President Montserrat Fuentes
(Avoid using: President Montserrat Fuentes, PhD) - President Montserrat Fuentes
- He reports to the president of the university.
In certain cases, such as event programs, lists and quote attributions, it is acceptable to capitalize titles following a name.
- “We have a strong legacy of undergraduate accomplishment in both research and preparation for education in the medical professions.”
- William J. Quinn, Professor of Biology
- Do not use courtesy titles (Dr., Mr., Ms., etc.), except in letters. This applies to everyone at the university.
- There is no comma before “Jr.” or in a name such as John Smith III.
- Use “for” between “Vice President” and their office: Vice President for University Advancement
Organization Names and Acronyms
Organization Names and Acronyms
When referring to a proper name that is also known as an acronym, follow the organization’s full name with the acronym in parentheses on first mention if the acronym is used after first mention. (This is an exception to AP Style.)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides student internships. Six of our students are participating in internships with the USDA.
University Names and Locations
Follow a university’s style for presenting its name and location. If no consistent style is evident, use the full university name followed by an en-dash or comma.
- The University of Texas at Austin
- University of Illinois at Chicago
- Texas A&M University, College Station
- University of Colorado–Denver