Frederick Ingram, the 2024 Commencement speaker for the Adrian Dominican School of Education, Leadership, and Human Development, announced during his address to Barry University graduates that the American Federation of Teachers would be distributing 2,500 free books to foster their ongoing love of learning. He emphasized the transformative power of literature, stating, "Books are magical portals that act as both mirrors and windows for our students, reflecting their world back to them and revealing new horizons."
Fedrick C. Ingram, a recent Distinguished Alumni Awards Recipient, is Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), serving 1.7 million members. Ingram grew up in inner-city Miami where he attended public schools. Pursuing his love of music, he attended Bethune-Cookman University on a scholarship and became the first member of his family to earn a postsecondary degree in music education. In 2006, he was named the Francisco R. Walker Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year. He was also a finalist for the state of Florida Teacher of the Year Award in 2006. In addition to his bachelor’s degree from Bethune-Cookman, Ingram earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Barry University and holds an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Florida Memorial University for a lifetime of work in education.