The moment Rep. Elise Stefanik stepped to the podium at Yeshiva University’s commencement, she made clear this wouldn’t be your typical graduation speech.

Yeshiva University’s 94th Annual Commencement last Thursday featured Stefanik receiving the school’s highest honor, the Presidential Medallion for Global Leadership in recognition for her “strong leadership for the United States, bold resoluteness in the fight against rising antisemitism and her outspoken support for Israel and the Jewish people in the wake of the October 7 attacks.”

“You are a voice of conviction in a time of confusion, a profile in courage when too many choose to be silent,” were the words YU President Rabbi Ari Berman chose before introducing Stefanik. “When antisemitism festers on campus masked as academic freedom or free speech, you say very clearly that it does not depend on the context.”