Advice for Informational Interview and Internship requests?

I'm a freshman at a target and I applied to an internship program for underclassmen at a MM/boutique firm. This program was on the company website, not related to my school at all, and historically most of the students in the internship have been regional and none went to my school (self-selection). There is a partner (one of the couple most senior people) at the firm who was there since founding (which was relatively recent). He is active in my University community and listed as a recommended contact or whatever on our alumni directory. 

How do I reach out to him. I doubt he is involved at all with the internship program so do I just go for an informational interview and at the end of the interview I mention that I applied to the internship program at his firm. How do I make this translation in conversation? Do I ask for a referral or something along those lines? 

Alternatively, do I be open about it and structure my email so that I tell him, Hi, I applied to the internship program here and I would like to learn more about the firm. Do you wanna chat. 

Advice would be appreciated.