The Elon alumnus was recognized for his anchor work at KSTP-TV, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Awards ceremony this weekend.
While Matt Belanger ’05 has already proven to be an award-winning journalist during his 16-year career, the Elon alumnus acknowledged his recent Upper Midwest Emmy Award carries special meaning.
In a Nov. 15 message on his professional Facebook page, one day after the 21st annual National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Awards’ virtual ceremony, the KSTP-TV anchor explained as much. He was recognized in the contest’s Talent – Anchor – News category.
“I’m very proud of this honor … this award means more than most,” he wrote. “It’s my first Emmy based solely on my anchoring of the news. I’ve received several others for being part of award-winning team efforts, but after 16 years of working in television, I’ve now been honored individually for my accomplishments.”
Belanger also acknowledged that the award carries extra significance because the content for his entry was produced not long after he was randomly attacked while commuting to work in May. “I had just returned to the anchor desk after allowing my eye to heal from that attack and I walked right into the seismic stretch of unrest and destruction the Twin Cities experienced after the death of George Floyd,” he wrote.
In his note, the veteran news anchor commended his KSTP-TV colleagues for their talent and willingness to go above and beyond for their news audience. “I must specifically acknowledge my colleagues who put themselves in danger to bring us live reports from the middle of some life-threatening situations,” he wrote. “I’m in awe of your professionalism and commitment.
For a complete recap of award recipients and to watch the ceremony, click here.
Prior to joining KSTP-TV in 2016, Belanger made professional stops at WSB-TV in Atlanta, WTAE in Pittsburgh, and WGAL-TV in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He started his career at KELO-TV in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. According to his professional website, Belanger has garnered five other regional Emmys and five first-place awards from the Associated Press.