Zellweger named Hasty Woman of the Year

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- The Hasty Pudding Theatricals of Harvard University has announced Hollywood actress Renee Zellweger is the recipient of its 2009 Woman of the Year award.

Zellweger is known for her roles in the films "Jerry Maguire," "Chicago" and "Bridget Jones's Diary." She also won an Oscar for her work in the U.S. Civil War epic "Cold Mountain."

The Woman of the Year festivities are scheduled to start Thursday with Zellweger leading a parade through the streets of Cambridge, Mass.

Following the parade, the president of the Theatricals, David Andersson, and the vice president of the cast, Tom Compton, are to roast the actress and present her with her Pudding Pot in the newly renovated New College Theatre, the Hasty Pudding's historic home in the heart of Harvard Square since 1889.

After the roast, several numbers from the Hasty Pudding Theatrical's 161th production, "Acropolis Now," will be previewed, after which a news conference will be held.

The group's Man of the Year event is to take place Feb. 13 and will honor "Milk" and "Pineapple Express" star James Franco.