Windhover

Stanford understands the unique pressures on today's students and educators at a highly competitive university. By having an easily accessible venue on campus that is explicitly devoted to relieving pressure and stress, as well as invigorating the spirit without explicit religious reference, many individuals here will become happier and more productive. Windhover delivers the message that in the twenty-first century the quality of intellectual endeavor is directly linked to fulfilling one's emotional and spiritual needs.


Windhover is a site to show Nathan Oliveira's widely regarded and meditative Windhover series. Using art as its vehicle, the center will provide a refuge from the daily intensity of one of the world's finest universities, especially for our students. The Windhover environment will be appreciated not just for what one sees, but also how one feels -- how this experience contributes to one's overall well-being. We expect Stanford community members to visit regularly to replenish their inner spirit -- the source of their creativity, energy, and endurance.


This is not intended to replace a visit to Memorial Church or the Center for Inter-Religious Community, Learning and Experiences (CIRCLE), a walk in the Rodin Sculpture Garden, a hike up to the Dish in the foothills, a visit to the Cantor Museum, or a lunch under the eucalyptus trees. For many students and others in our Stanford community, though, this will be their sanctuary -- a place to re-establish balance and find tranquility. Windhover is intended to counter the huge personal cost that can be extracted in order for our students, faculty and staff to be at the pinnacle of their fields and to allow the great potential pleasure and fulfillment of their endeavors to shine through.