Meet the River Raider!
The River Raider is inspired by GRCC’s location and energy. Otters are curious, clever and quick, just like GRCC students. They adapt to change, face challenges with grit and explore new paths with a playful and determined spirit. Our kind of Raider!
Thank you to everyone who sent in suggestions and voted for the new mascot. Your participation made sure our mascot represents our college’s values and spirit.
Reveal Video
Our Mascot’s Story
The River Raider was born and raised along the banks of the Grand River. As an otter pup, the River Raider tumbled and played in the cascading river rapids, for which the city of Grand Rapids would be named. The challenging flow of the rapids taught the River Raider resilience and how to adapt to quickly changing environments.
As they grew older, the River Raider watched Grand Rapids become known for technical expertise, innovation and the arts. The River Raider is an avid collector of smooth, polished stones, often using the stones as tools to open shells or solve small, complex puzzles. This clever and resourceful behavior mirrors GRCC’s history of technical expertise and innovation — and that knowledge and tools are essential for overcoming challenges.
The River Raider is a curious and social creature and interacts with the entire river community. They often swim past the Public Museum and various ArtPrize installations, inspiring a love for diversity, arts and community involvement that defines Grand Rapids.
With a playful and persistent spirit, the River Raider embodies the GRCC promise of helping every student navigate their educational journey and reach their goals. And just like our students, our mascot is ready to tackle the constant flow of life and learning and adapt to new challenges.
The River Raider’s Values
Resilient
Agile, Swift
Our Raider is adept at navigating life’s challenging currents, adapting quickly to new educational paths and overcoming setbacks through patience and persistence.
Community-Focused
Social, Supportive
Otters live in “rafts” or communities to stay warm and keep from drifting apart. The River Raider views the entire GRCC community as their raft, emphasizing inclusion and collective success.
Clever
Resourceful, Quick
The River Raider is drawn to GRCC because of our focus on career readiness, practical knowledge and the ability to use tools — literal and metaphorical — to achieve a goal.
Energetic
Playful, Cheerful
The River Raider uses their high energy to keep spirits up, encourage engagement in campus life and celebrate every victory, large or small.
River Raider Fun Facts
- Favorite food: sushi, of course.
- Hobbies: swimming and diving in the summer, sliding on snowy riverbanks in the winter.
- Special skills: using polished river stones to open shells and solve small puzzles. They also give special stones to their friends.
- Favorite color: blue…maybe yellow…maybe both?
- Tip: never challenge the River Raider to a breath holding competition. They can hold their breath for eight minutes!
Mascot Guidelines
GRCC students, employees, athletic teams, alumni and retirees should not be referred to as “River Raiders” or “The Otters.” We are GRCC Raiders forever.
Visit the Mascot Guidelines webpage for more information on project requests and approvals.
