A little-known Haverford College tradition recently brought together current seniors and graduates from 50 years ago for a night of shared insight, hope, and history, writes Jeff Gammage for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The tradition began at the end of the Civil War by members of the Class of 1867. They made a pact to return to Haverford College 50 years later and meet up with members of the Class of 1917. They kept that promise, and it has been honored ever since.

The graduates of 1967 reminisced about their time when they were eager newbies welcoming back graduates from 1917. Robert Singley, who is a now retired San Francisco lawyer, was among the seniors who participated that night.

“Now, the tables are turned,” he said.

Whereas the tradition has remained the same throughout the years, the college itself has changed. Haverford was established in 1833 as an all-white, all-male institution. Today, it is a model of diversity, as more than a third of its students are minorities and half are women.

“Maybe in 50 years,” said senior Isabel Agnew, who is currently majoring in the classics, “I can come back and do this.”

Read more about the Haverford College tradition in the Philadelphia Inquirer by clicking here.