The biggest things often flow from the smallest ideas. Just take a look at the Rivers Institute at the University of Dayton for verification.

For the past two summers, members of the university's Berry Scholars Program spent time learning about the Great Miami River system during a river stewardship program. They toured the water treatment plant, collected water samples, gauged the health of the river and discovered the various roles the river plays in this community. The spirit of that program has been captured and expanded into the Rivers Institute.

Organized by student co-coordinators Anne Crecelius, a junior exercise science major, and freshman religious studies major Emily Klein, run by UD's Fitz Center for Leadership in Community and supported by organizations such as the Miami Conservatory District and the Five Rivers MetroParks, the institute brings a variety of resources together in a hope to educate people about the area rivers.

'It is a leader in the collaborative effort of community partners to protect, promote and preserve the water resources of the Miami Valley,' said Crecelius.

In its first year, the Rivers Institute has spent the majority of its time organizing and planning for its future. Throughout the year, a committee consisting of faculty, staff and students met once a month to map out and shape the institute's vision.

'We wanted to create a gathering place for people, ideas and resources that could address all facets of the river,' Crecelius said.

One thing the committee accomplished was the creation of a group called the Rivers Stewards. Interested first-year honor students went through an application process, and nine applicants were recently selected as the inaugural class of Rivers Stewards. Next fall, they will go through a program very similar to the one done by the Berry Scholars in the past, and they will develop future projects for the institute.

Right now, the Fitz Center administers the institute, but its long-term goal is to become its own entity separate from the Fitz Center with strong student participation.

'It's a university thing, but the energy comes from the students,' Crecelius said.

And those students have big plans for the Rivers Institute.

In the upcoming years, the institute expects to see substantial growth. Right now, the committee is working on a partnership with the Dayton Early College Academy to allow high school students to get involved. It is also attempting to organize a campus-wide group that will offer UD students the chance to participate in any activity organized by the institute.

The inspiration of the Rivers Institute's founding was the hope of ensuring the future health of the area rivers. Crecelius said that the water quality of the Great Miami River is, for the most part, adequate, and many groups work diligently to maintain that quality. However, she continued, the ability of these groups to work together is lacking, which is something the institute plans to remedy.

'The Rivers Institute is looking to facilitate communication and collaboration amongst these groups,' Crecelius said.

It also wants to educate people on various water issues the Dayton community faces.

'We are hoping to get more classes that focus on the Great Miami River or something like that. We want to become a recognizable part of the university,' Crecelius said.

Right now, when it comes to the University of Dayton's Rivers Institute, nothing seems too far out of reach.