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Brandon K. Baker

Strategic Communications Officer
  • bkbaker@upenn.edu
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    Articles from Brandon K. Baker
    A historic ode to the Fourth of July—in the Penn Libraries
    A two-page spread of an aged printed broadside poem titled “An Ode for the 4th of July 1788,” with the left page featuring decorative vine-like borders framing the poem’s text and the right page mostly blank with faint, reversed text showing through the paper.

    A broadside of “An Ode for the Fourth of July, 1788,” written by Francis Hopkinson. The copy, which previously belonged to Benjamin Franklin, is part of the Francis Hopkinson Collections at the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. 

    (Image: Courtesy of Penn Libraries)

    A historic ode to the Fourth of July—in the Penn Libraries

    “An Ode for the Fourth of July, 1788” is a songsheet by 1757 graduate and Declaration of Independence signer Francis Hopkinson held in the Kislak Center. It represents an early celebration of a new nation and a reckoning with what patriotism in a burgeoning democracy should look like.

    3 min. read

    Dean Mark Trodden on what’s next for Penn Arts & Sciences
    Mark Trodden with folded arms in front of College Hall.

    Mark Trodden, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences.

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    Dean Mark Trodden on what’s next for Penn Arts & Sciences

    Dean Trodden reflects on his first year on the job, how the School of Arts & Sciences is supporting students’ futures through curriculum innovation, the new Physical Sciences Complex, and other initiatives.

    6 min. read

    Penn to create a united Center for Civil Rights
    Aerial view of Penn and Philadelphia

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    Penn to create a united Center for Civil Rights

    The Center for Civil Rights will bring together three existing offices into a single team designed to strengthen Penn’s reporting, prevention, education, and response efforts related to civil rights.

    3 min. read

    Applying AI to accelerate discovery, foster learning

    From left to right: Penn President J. Larry Jameson, Hamsa Bastani of the Wharton School, and César de la Fuente of Penn Medicine at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. 

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    Applying AI to accelerate discovery, foster learning

    At an Alumni Weekend panel moderated by President J. Larry Jameson, Presidential Associate Professor César de la Fuente of Penn Medicine and Hamsa Bastani of the Wharton School highlighted how research at Penn is putting AI insights and tools into practice.

    3 min. read

    Reimagining a shelter as a supportive space for childhood

    The HAVEN team with Liz Donaghue, assistant shelter director, in Jane Addams’ Bright Spaces room.

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    Reimagining a shelter as a supportive space for childhood

    HAVEN, a winning project of the 2026 President’s Engagement Prize developed by three fourth-year undergraduates, will launch an after-school program for K-5 children at Jane Addams Place, a homeless shelter in North Philadelphia.

    3 min. read

    How the Quaker Commitment empowered one student to create her path at Penn
    Gabrielle Fine leads a campus tour with prospective students and their families.

    Gabrielle Fine, left, leads a Kite & Key campus tour for prospective students and their families. 

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    How the Quaker Commitment empowered one student to create her path at Penn

    Gabrielle Fine, a fourth year in the Wharton School and recipient of financial aid from the Quaker Commitment, will graduate in May with an interdisciplinary skillset and new perspectives from a global adventure and local engagement.

    6 min. read

    Caitlyn Chen’s path to becoming a physician-scientist
    Caitlyn Chen.

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    Caitlyn Chen’s path to becoming a physician-scientist

    The fourth-year in the College of Arts & Sciences, who will pursue medical school after graduation, spent her time at Penn applying deep knowledge of the natural sciences to research more affordable microsensors for medical devices.

    3 min. reada

    Three questions to guide thoughtful, human-centered AI use in the classroom
    Sarah Pierce behind a desk teaching a class.

    Sarah Pierce is the Denise A. Rotko Associate Dean for Legal Practice Skills at Penn Carey Law.

    (Image: Courtesy of Penn Carey Law)

    Three questions to guide thoughtful, human-centered AI use in the classroom

    Ahead of an AI Month panel showcasing AI use in the classroom at Penn, Catherine Turner of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation poses three questions instructors can consider while planning AI-informed assignments and activities.

    4 min. read

    2025 PEP, PIP, and PSP winners: Where are they now?
    nirby pip prize winner working on a laptop in a field

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    2025 PEP, PIP, and PSP winners: Where are they now?

    Nearly a year after being awarded the 2025 President’s Engagement Prize, President’s Innovation Prize, and President’s Sustainability Prize, the recipients—now alumni—provide updates on their projects.

    3 min. read

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