Requesting a referral from an old acquaintance?

Basically hoping for advice on how to go about this in a professional way. Is it weird to get a message from someone you knew years and years ago in an academic context, reaching out and asking for a

Basically hoping for advice on how to go about this in a professional way. Is it weird to get a message from someone you knew years and years ago in an academic context, reaching out and asking for a referral to your large company? I'm going back and forth on whether to do this, and whether to reach out via email, LinkedIn message, etc. Should one start a conversation and THEN bring up the referral, or just shoot straight with "hey I'm asking for a referral." I've already applied and taken the OA for this company, so it feels like now would be the time to do so (if not earlier). I never closely knew this individual either, but they were a grad student who proctored some of my lectures and discussions in college. What makes me feel good about that is that their endorsement would in some way also constitute an endorsement of that academic program. Open to any thoughts and suggestions, or questions as well. Thank you.