PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (AP) — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore says it won’t hold this year an annual gala event that raises money for student scholarships.

The Daily Times of Salisbury reports that the Hollywood on the Shore-themed gala has been put on hiatus.

In the past at that event, typically held in the winter, honorary degrees have been handed out to movie stars and other celebrities.

University spokesman Bill Robinson says that instead of the gala, the university will have a weeklong ceremony and inauguration celebration in mid-April to honor Juliette B. Bell, who became UMES president in August.

The gala endowment fund has provided student scholarships valued between $500 and $4,000.
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