The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

October 1, 2009

Former Mankatoan wins two regional Emmys

Jon Van Amber wins in graphic design catagories

By Brian Ojanpa

MANKATO — A former Mankatoan has won two regional Emmy awards for his television work in the Twin Cities.

Jon Van Amber won in the graphic arts-animation category for his art design work on the Twin Cities Public Television program “Make:,”which celebrates people who mix old and new technology to create new marvels.

He also was awarded in the graphic arts-graphics category for designing WCCO TV’s weather graphics.

Van Amber, a 1991 Minnesota State University graduate, was awarded at the recent Upper Midwest Emmys presentations by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

He said he’s never won an Emmy in his 24 years in television work and didn’t expect to this time either because he was up against nominees from commercial networks.

“I didn’t think I’d have a chance in this because most of the people who judge these categories are in commercial TV. I didn’t even go to the ceremonies, so when I got these awards, I was completely floored.”

Van Amber worked for WCCO TV for 12 years and operated a design firm in St. Peter before joining Twin Cities Public Television three years ago.

In 2005 he designed the studio news set for KEYC TV in Mankato.

The South Dakota native moved to Mankato in 1986 and considers it his hometown.

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