Golden Grads are alumni of classes at least 50 years past. The first Golden Grads Reunion was held at the June 1930 commencement. Nine graduates of the class of 1890 (all but one of the living alumni of the original class of 18) returned for ceremonies, including the wearing of caps and gowns at commencement. The suggestion for the Golden Grads Reunion came from George Washington Ochs-Oakes, of the 1880 class, then publisher of the Current History magazine of the New York Times.
The custom of an annual Golden Grads Reunion was begun with the June 1938 commencement when members of the golden reunion classes were entertained by President and Mrs. Hoskins, were guests at the baccalaureate sermon Sunday evening preceding the Sunday commencement, and sat on the platform during the ceremonies. The Alumni Association held a luncheon for the grads following commencement.