"You like me, you really like me!"

Although Tamara Beckford is too young to remember that famous quote from Sally Field after she won the Academy Award in 1984 for her performance in "Places in the Heart," she can certainly relate on many levels. The 23-year-old graduate student in biology was selected from among five finalists to present this year's graduate commencement address.

"It's just like you hear at the Oscars," said Beckford with a wide grin. "It's an honor just to be nominated."

Unbeknownst to Beckford, the Department of Biology and Molecular Biology submitted her name as a candidate to be the graduate speaker at this year's ceremony on May 9. "Tamara was at the top of the list for many reasons," said faculty member Quinn Vega. "She has one of the highest GPAs in the department but over and above that she's been a graduate assistant, teaching three to four classes every semester and she's doing research. She's an excellent student and a good person."

While the nomination and selection came as a surprise, Beckford knew exactly what her theme would be. It was the sense of belonging here, she says, that helped her through the ups and downs of her academic career. During the rigorous interview process with the selection committee, which included Kim O'Halloran of the Graduate School, Dorothy Deremer of Computer Science, Fred Cohen of Music, Claire Taub of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and graduate student representative Domingo Estrada, Beckford's plan was to just be herself.

"I decided I'm just going to have to be Tamara. I can't pretend to be anyone else, so I just answered the questions and talked about the MSU community because it had such a big impact on me," she said.

And Beckford had an impact on the committee, which chose her to be this year's speaker. "I can't believe they picked me," she said. "If you told me back in 1997 when I first came to Montclair State that I was going to be speaking at graduation I would not have believed it. I have grown a lot, I've experienced a lot and this is my opportunity to share that experience with others."

Among the points Beckford will touch upon in her speech will be the sense of togetherness on campus, fostered by Montclair State's small class sizes, the student-to-faculty ratios, the faculty caring about the students and the diverse population of students caring about each other.

Beckford's academic journey began when her father brought her family to the United States from Jamaica in 1991. "He thought it was time to come here for a better life and more opportunities, especially for education," she explained.

It wasn't long before Beckford found herself drawn to the sciences. "It's always been my interest," she recalled. She first thought she'd become a pharmacist but a summer program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry (UMDNJ) changed her mind. "I realized I wanted to interact more with people, so that's when I became driven toward medicine."

Following high school, Beckford came to Montclair State through the Health Careers Program. "Its whole purpose is geared to getting minority students into health profession schools with a lot of counseling and exposure to other minorities who are trying to achieve the same thing," she said. "I knew it would be a good path to follow my dreams of going to medical school."

But the road there would not be easy. At the end of her senior year, Beckford was not accepted to medical school. Although her grades were good, her Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores were holding her back. Confronted with an uncertain future, Beckford found support and hope from faculty members, especially Jim Dyer of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "He helped me tremendously. It was his first year here and I was able to just talk to him about what I was going through," she said. "That's what college should be about, not having to deal with things alone."

And it was Bonnie Lustigman, chair of Biology and Molecular Biology, who suggested graduate school. "She said, 'Tamara, I've been watching you. You've really grown. Why don't you think about grad school?' You don't realize how much professors really do care," said Beckford.

Though it wasn't the course she had envisioned her life would take, Beckford embraced it with all her heart. "I knew that it was the best thing for me. Even though it might have seemed like a delay, it was more of a strategy," she explained. "If you want something you've got to figure out how to make yourself the best candidate. I feel lucky to have had this extra opportunity to learn. It really built up my confidence."

Marie Washington of Health Careers has watched Beckford's confidence grow. "I am extremely proud of her. She represents the spirit and intent of the Health Careers Program," she said. "Tamara is an excellent role model in terms of her academic performance as well as helping others. She is a well-rounded person who will make a significant contribution to society."

After six years at Montclair State, Beckford is poised to take the next step in her journey to becoming a doctor as she heads to UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, where she hopes to pursue emergency medicine. As an undergrad, Beckford volunteered at Newark Beth Israel Hospital where she was able to get a glimpse into that type of practice but says she is keeping an open mind. "We'll see if that is ultimately what I choose once I'm exposed to all the different realms of medicine."

Beckford is looking forward to all the new things she will experience at medical school but says she's going to miss her MSU family the most. "I'm a little bit nervous because it's a big change," she said. "However, I'm excited because I've accomplished one of my goals and now I'm ready to move on."

Though there won't be a red carpet or a golden statue at the Meadowlands on Friday, there will be plenty of pomp and circumstance when Beckford walks to the podium to give her own "acceptance" speech. While she admits she'll be nervous, she couldn't be more ready for this moment.

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