New York—More than 600 students from Yeshiva University’s undergraduate schools received their degrees at YU’s 84th Commencement exercises, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on May 17. Nine of the students were honored with the designation of valedictorian for their outstanding academic achievement.

Daniella Grodko, of Teaneck, New Jersey, was the valedictorian of the Rebecca Ivry Department of Jewish Studies at Stern College for Women, and Jonathan Katz, from New Milford, New Jersey, was the valedictorian of YU’s Isaac Breuer College.

At Stern College for Women, Grodko, found “a place that took learning seriously—both Jewish and general studies—where I could continue growing, learning and advancing in all areas that were important to me.”

She highlighted the friends she made at Stern: “I found people who were dedicated to building a community at Stern, who had similar interests to me, role models, people who I could learn with and from and have a great time with.” Grodko majored in philosophy and Jewish studies and plans to study Jewish philosophy at Hebrew University and earn a teaching degree at Herzog College in Israel.

Katz said he came to YU “because it was a place where I could receive the best education from a prestigious institution that prides itself on the combination of Torah and academics. The faculty is outstanding. They truly care about the students and are always there to guide and help us with whatever we need.”

He earned a BS in accounting with an associate of arts degree in Judaic Studies, and will be attending the masters in accounting program at the Sy Syms School of Business next year. He was an academic tutor at Sy Syms and box office manager for the Yeshiva College Dramatics Society.

The other valedictorians were Yechiel Auman, Sy Syms School of Business; Elana Schreier-Glatt, Sy Syms School of Business; Benjamin Kohane, Irving I. Stone Beit Midrash Program; Noam Lawee, Yeshiva Program/Mazer School of Talmudic Studies; Naomi Wakschlag, Stern College for Women; Ronan Weinberg-Waks, James Striar School of General Jewish Studies; and Mark Weingarten, Yeshiva College.