Grand Valley gets top votes for Townie Award

According to readers of On-The-Town magazine, Grand Valley is the best college/university around.

Grand Valley won the top award ¿ a gold Townie ¿ in the 'local college/university' category in On-The-Town's annual Townie Award readers' poll, according to Editor Joanne Bailey.

The ballot was published in the arts and entertainment magazine's February issue. Readers were asked to mail in ballots with their votes in more than 35 categories, listing everything from favorite hot dog joint and clothing shop to best night club, radio station, and neighborhood. The college/university category was added this year.

Bailey said that of the 341 ballots that came in, Grand Valley got top votes hands-down. Calvin College came in second. The Laker football team also received some votes in the 'local sports team' category, but didn't win.

This is the 17th year the magazine has run the poll. It's become a popular feature, with the free magazines practically walking off the shelf, said Bailey. Complete Townie Award results will be announced in On-The-Town's April issue.