Judge, 1911-07-15 · page 5 of 24
Judge — July 15, 1911 — page 5: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes a college commencement ceremony at Blank College. The article mocks the awarding of medals for various athletic achievements (high vaulting, hurdling, broad jumping), culminating in a "special faculty prize" for a quarterback who saved the college's reputation on the gridiron. The cartoon below, titled "The Penalty of Being Great," depicts a distinguished elderly gentleman at a beach looking melancholy while others enjoy themselves. The caption plays on themes of isolation and fame—the celebrated figure's prominence paradoxically alienates him socially. The satire targets early 20th-century college culture's elevation of athletics over academics and the hollow loneliness accompanying public acclaim, likely critiquing American institutional values of that era.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
COMMENCEMENT 7T WAS commencement at Blank College. Among the great crowd present were anxious fathers and mothers, who had come to see their sons graduate. The different fraternities had met and settled unpaid bills. Now all was over, except the last exercise—handing out the honors and awarding diplomas. The vast audience sat breathless while the aged president displayed several glittering medals. “This medal,’’ he said, ‘‘goes toJames — Rich for breaking the record in high vault- ing."’ (Cheers. ) “The Founder's Celebrity —" Beastly lonely here—don't know a soul in the place.” Nonentity—"' Well, neither do I."" Celebrity" Abt really? IN By WILL JESTER BUDGEM. Medal,’’ he continued, ‘‘is awarded John Jones for the greatest number of stolen bases.’’ (Great applause.) A medal was also given for hurdling, quoiting, broad jumping, and high kick- ing; but the climax came when the special faculty prize was given to the little quarterback for saving the college rep on the gridiron. Then, as the president bowed his head to pronounce the benediction, one of the THE PENALTY OF BEING GREAT. 1920. professors hurriedly whispered some thing to him. Thereupon the veteran schoolman said, “I beg pardon, but I have forgotten one little item, Professor D. Tail re- minds me that there are about half a dozen young men who are to receive some sort of a degree- B., I believe he said. Those boys will call around at the janitor’s room and got their diplo mas after we are dismissed."” But in my case, my dear man, the solitude 1s accentuated by the fact that—aw—everybody knows me."* comicbooks.com