Last Friday on September 14, I had the privilege of returning to my alma mater, Fordham University, to hear Fr. Jim Martin, SJ moderate a conversation on humor and faith with TV host Stephen Colbert and Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York. While much has already been written on this incredible event (which, according to Fr. Martin, was more difficult to coordinate than Vatican II!), I share my reflections as a Fordham alum who was never more proud to be a “Ram” and “woman for others” than I was that night.

As I walked toward the gym after arriving on campus, I saw bright, cheery signs leading in the direction toward the Cardinal and Colbert. That alone put a smile on my face, but the smile turned to shock when I saw the lines of students standing outside the gym to get their seats one full hour before the start of the event!

Yet this was nothing: I was amazed to learn later on that hundreds of Fordham students had camped outside of the gym for hours overnight to get the coveted bracelets needed just to attend. Clearly, this was a hot ticket event, made even more apparent by hearing my fellow alumni friends in DC say, “What I would pay to get inside of that gym to see the Cardinal and Colbert…”

Once I made my way inside, I was blown away by the crowds of students cheering and shouting in anticipation of the speakers. I thought that for sure, the cheers must have been mainly for Colbert, a very funny and popular TV host, especially in New York, where his show is filmed. And of course, when Colbert did come out to take the stage, everybody in the gym stood to their feet and roared in excitement. But the excitement for the Cardinal was just as contagious and just as loud!

It was amazing to witness a crowd of hundreds of college students getting as excited to see a Catholic Cardinal as they were to see a TV host. The day after the event, The New York Times reported that it “might have been the most successful Roman Catholic youth evangelization event since Pope John Paul II last appeared at World Youth Day.” I would have to agree: to hear two popular figures in the media (Cardinal Dolan has certainly had his fair share of media coverage) discuss their Catholic faith in an open, honest and friendly forum in 2012 certainly made me even more proud to be Catholic and, judging by the audience’s reactions to the conversation, must have made at least a few other people feel the same way.

But the conversation was not merely Catholic, nor was it merely something that only Catholics could enjoy. The Cardinal himself referred to the great relationship between humor and faith in the Jewish tradition, and reflected on the importance of having a good sense of humor in life. I could imagine a number of my Jewish (as well as my non-religious) friends appreciating what both he, Colbert and Fr. Martin said about finding happiness and humor in all things. It was incredibly appropriate then, that this examination of humor and faith took place at a Jesuit institution in the great global city of New York.

Fordham President Fr. Joseph McShane, SJ alluded to the significance of Fordham hosting this conversation in his closing remarks, which were met with just as many cheers as were the remarks from Fr. Martin, Colbert and Cardinal Dolan. Certainly, Fordham’s geographic location made it an appropriate venue for these New York-based panelists to meet. And, as a Catholic university, Fordham is proud to promote its religious heritage.

Yet it is also a university committed to academic and religious freedom and diversity, one that encourages thoughtful conversation and consideration of people of all faiths and backgrounds. Both Catholics and non-Catholics alike had a lot to learn and enjoy on September 14th from the conversation between Fr. Martin, Colbert and Dolan; they also learned that Fordham is a special place committed to forming and educating men and women of all faiths and traditions.

As an alum, I was so proud to spend a few hours last week reflecting on my four years spent at Fordham, where I received such a great Jesuit education. But to see firsthand future generations of Fordham alumni experiencing it for themselves, made an unforgettable evening that much more memorable.