Bob Mankoff
Bob Mankoff ’66, who melded academic interests in psychology and philosophy with comedy and satire to become one of the nation’s most influential cartoonists as cartoon editor of The New Yorker for 20 years, will deliver the alumni keynote address at the 2025 College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) | Maxwell undergraduate convocation on Saturday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m.
His journey from a psychology student at Syracuse University to a prominent figure in American humor illustrates his lifelong dedication to exploring what makes people laugh and his remarkable ability to translate that understanding into a successful career spanning cartoons, editing, writing and education. The Queens native has remained committed to understanding and teaching the psychology of humor, leading workshops at institutions like Swarthmore College and Fordham University. More recently, his popular TED Talks have explored whether comedy is a distinctly human trait or if artificial intelligence might master the art of comedy—“Could there be a ‘Bot’ Mankoff?”
Mankoff exemplifies how the breadth and depth of a liberal arts education helps students develop the professional flexibility that serves A&S | Maxwell School graduates throughout their lives. “I think it is hubristic to only focus on one area of study and not engage with all this past knowledge that humanity has acquired,” he said in 2024. “A liberal arts education illustrates the idea that now is as it was and as it will be.”
“We are honored to welcome Bob Mankoff ’66, who perfectly embodies A&S’ mission of creating agents of change,” says A&S Dean Behzad Mortazavi. “His use of humor as a means of cultural commentary reflects the critical thinking, creativity and social awareness all students cultivate here. His work not only entertains but also challenges us to see the world from new perspectives—and maybe even change it for the better.”
About Mankoff
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Mankoff attended the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art before choosing Syracuse University. After graduating with a psychology degree in 1966, he briefly pursued doctoral studies before focusing on cartooning.
Success required persistence—Mankoff submitted approximately 2,000 cartoons to The New Yorker before his first publication. He eventually contributed nearly 1,000 cartoons to the magazine, including his famous “How About Never—Is Never Good For You?”
In 1997, he became The New Yorker’s cartoon editor, a position he held for 20 years, where he reviewed thousands of submissions weekly and mentored cartoonists. In 2005, he launched the “New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest,” later partnering with Microsoft and Google DeepMind to develop selection algorithms.
Mankoff’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to found the Cartoon Bank in 1992, which evolved into CartoonStock.com in 2018. This platform houses over 500,000 cartoons from an array of notable publications, supporting cartoonists while preserving the art form.
After The New Yorker, Mankoff served as cartoon editor at Esquire and currently holds the same position at Air Mail. He co-runs Botnik Studios, using big data analytics to enhance creative processes, and has authored several books, including his New York Times bestselling memoir “How About Never—Is Never Good For You?: My Life In Cartoons.”
Convocation will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome with a reception to follow in the Quad at 10:30 a.m.
Read a 2024 A&S profile of Mankoff.
