And they're doctors. The first class of medical students to come out of the University of Central Florida College of Medicine graduated Friday morning during a ceremony on the UCF campus.

The charter class of 36 graduates also was the first class of medical students in the nation to receive full-ride, four-year scholarships courtesy of community donors.

Wearing black robes and caps with UCF gold tassels, the graduates each received their diplomas from the individual or foundation that funded their scholarships.

Worth $160,000 each, the scholarships helped the then unknown and unproven school attract more than 4,300 applicants for 41 spaces, allowing the school to be very selective.

"You took a big chance," said UCF President John Hitt during the commencement address. "You agreed to come to an unaccredited medical school. Your gamble paid off. Today, you are graduating debt free from a fully accredited medical school and are going to some of the best residencies in the nation.

"In decades to come, UCF College of Medicine a school you chartered will grow in distinction," Hitt said.

To pay that gift forward, the graduating class of 2013 has established a $300,000 endowment to help fund scholarships for future students.

The gift involves pledges from the students over the next 10 years that will provide a $50,000 scholarship over four years to a deserving student.

"In a few minutes you will transition from physicians-in-training to physicians," said Dr. Deborah German, the college's founding dean. As she addressed the class, German said that while they were fulfilling their dreams, she was fulfilling hers.

"We've realized these dreams because of the collective accomplishment of the community, and of unprecedented generosity," German said.

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UCF Medical School graduated its first class Friday