Niraj Chaudhary is one of University of the Pacific’s staff members who still works from his office most days during the pandemic. He describes his first-floor window view as “paradise.”

Throughout the day, the associate university librarian gazes at the new fountain nearing completion outside the main entrance of the William Knox Holt Memorial Library and Learning Center. The fountain serves as a veritable magnet to people walking on the Stockton Campus.

“The fountain is so beautiful. I see people from the community enjoying the setting throughout the day,” Chaudhary said. “It really has become the place to take photos on campus. It’s like paradise.”

The fountain is one of the final pieces of a four-year renovation project to transform the library into a modern resource center for 21st-century teaching and learning.

Work on the fountain should be completed soon. The shopping for decorative stones is finished. (Twin Peaks rocks from Washington state were the choice.) There is one more round of acid washing needed on the bricks and the last plants will soon be in place.

“We are in the final stages and things are going smoothly,” said Toby Rose, Pacific’s senior superintendent of grounds. “That is such an iconic place on campus. It will be nice to have it completed. It will be even better to enjoy when students, faculty and staff are able to return to campus.”

Rose said the combination of the fountain’s location and the soothing nature of a water feature makes for a great combination.

“I truly think the connection to water is what makes it special,” Rose said. “You not only can see the water but you can hear it and really feel it in the air. It is one of those features that impacts most of your senses in comforting ways.”

Steve Whyte, director of university events and ceremonies, agrees.

“The fountain is a great meeting of the brick Pacific campus and a nearby Sierra waterfall. The sound of the falling water is very soothing,” he said. 

Rose said the confluence of the library, fountain, the sounds of the Burns Tower Carillion, the columns, the beautiful rose garden and much more help make the area one of his favorite on campus.

“I know the (Donald and Karen De Rosa) University Center is the student hub of campus, but the area by the library and Burns Tower is so idyllic, especially when you get a breeze blowing through there,” said Rose, who has worked for Pacific for 20 years. “When we get back to normal, this will be such a beautiful spot to spend time, relax and have the feeling of being surrounded by beauty.”