An alma mater is a Latin phrase that means "nourishing mother" and is used to refer to a school, college, or university that a person has attended or graduated from. It is also an honorific title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele. Many historic European universities have adopted Alma Mater as part of the Latin translation of their official name, such as the University of Bologna, which is known as Alma Mater Studiorum (nourishing mother of studies) . In the United States, the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, has been called the "Alma Mater of...". The term can also refer to the official song or hymn of a school, college, or university.