NBC's Ann Curry is the only TV journo among the four winners of this year's Common Wealth Awards of Distinguished Service. Curry won in the Mass Communications category. Fellow honorees include former Australian Prime Minister John Howard (Government), actress Glenn Close (Dramatic Arts), and NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies Director James Hansen (Science).

According to a press release, winners are "internationally renowned
leaders and achievers" whose "achievements resonate in the arts, science and political arena." The four will share a $200,000 prize, awarded at an April 5 ceremony in Delaware.

Previous winners include journalists Walter Cronkite and Cokie Roberts.

The Common Wealth Awards first were issued in 1979 by the Common Wealth Trust, created by the will of the late businessman and philanthropist Ralph Hayes.