UCF Medical School graduated its first class Friday

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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

Dr. John

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Dr. John Allen Toussaint with the Original Liberty Jazz Band - 2013 Tulane Graduation
via YouTube Capture.

By: Davis McPherson

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Dr. John

Liberty All-Star(R) Growth Fund, Inc. April 2013 Monthly Update

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BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - May 20, 2013) - Below is the April 2013 Monthly Update for the Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ASG)

Investment Approach

Fund Style: All-Cap Growth

Fund Strategy: Combines three growth style investment managers, each with a distinct capitalization focus (small-, mid- and large-cap)selected and continuously monitored by the Fund's Investment Advisor.

Investment Managers: M.A. Weatherbie & Company, Inc. Small-Cap Growth | Matthew A. Weatherbie, CFA TCW Investment Management Company Mid-Cap Growth | Chang Lee and Mike Olson, CFA Large-Cap Growth | Craig C. Blum, CFA

The net asset value (NAV) of a closed-end fund is the market value of the underlying investments (i.e., stocks and bonds) in the Fund's portfolio, minus liabilities, divided by the total number of Fund shares outstanding. However, the Fund also has a market price; the value at which it trades on an exchange. If the market price is above the NAV the Fund is trading at a premium. If the market price is below the NAV the Fund is trading at a discount.

Returns for the Fund are total returns, which include dividends, after deducting fund expenses. The Fund's performance is calculated assuming that a shareholder reinvested all distributions and exercised all primary rights in the Fund's rights offerings. Past performance cannot predict future investment results.

Performance will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Performance information shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares. Shareholders must be willing to tolerate significant fluctuations in the value of their investment. An investment in the Fund involves risk, including loss of principal.

All data is as of April 30, 2013 unless otherwise noted. The Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc. is a closed-end fund and does not continuously offer shares. The Fund trades in the secondary market, investors wishing to buy or sell shares need to place orders through an intermediary or broker by using the Fund's ticker symbol: ASG.

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Liberty All-Star(R) Growth Fund, Inc. April 2013 Monthly Update

Liberty All-Star(R) Equity Fund April 2013 Monthly Update

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BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - May 20, 2013) - Below is the April 2013 Monthly Update for the Liberty All-Star Equity Fund. (NYSE: USA)

Investment Approach

Fund Style: Large-Cap Core

Fund Strategy: Combines three value-style and two growth-style investment managers. Those selected demonstrate a consistent investment philosophy, decision making process, continuity of key people and above-average long-term results compared to managers with similar styles.

InvestmentManagers: Value Managers: Matrix Asset Advisors, Inc. Pzena Investment Management, LLC Schneider Capital Management Corporation Growth Managers: Cornerstone Capital Management LLC TCW Investment Management Company

The net asset value (NAV) of a closed-end fund is the market value of the underlying investments (i.e., stocks and bonds) in the Fund's portfolio, minus liabilities, divided by the total number of Fund shares outstanding. However, the Fund also has a market price; the value at which it trades on an exchange. If the market price is above the NAV the Fund is trading at a premium. If the market price is below the NAV the Fund is trading at a discount.

Returns for the Fund are total returns, which include dividends, after deducting Fund expenses. The Fund's performance is calculated assuming that a shareholder reinvested all distributions and exercised all primary rights in the Fund's rights offerings. Past performance cannot predict future investment results.

Performance will fluctuate with changes in market conditions. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Performance information shown does not reflect the deduction of taxes that shareholders would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares. Shareholders must be willing to tolerate significant fluctuations in the value of their investment. An investment in the Fund involves risk, including loss of principal.

All data is as of April 30, 2013 unless otherwise noted. The Liberty All-Star Equity Fund is a closed-end fund and does not continuously offer shares. The Fund trades in the secondary market, investors wishing to buy or sell shares need to place orders through an intermediary or broker by using the Fund's ticker symbol: USA.

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Liberty All-Star(R) Equity Fund April 2013 Monthly Update