Dr. Elizabeth Bernhardt-Kamil

Dr. Elizabeth Bernhardt-Kamil, John Roberts Hale Director of the Language Center & Professor of German Studies

Dr. Elizabeth Bernhardt-Kamil

John Roberts Hale Director of the Stanford Language Center & Professor of German

Main content start

Remembering Dr. Elizabeth Bernhardt-Kamil

February 15, 1954 to October 9, 2024

The instructors and staff of the Stanford Language Center mourn the loss of our founder and director, Dr. Elizabeth Bernhardt-Kamil.

Recipient of numerous academic and distinguished service awards, she was a tireless advocate for language education and for language teachers.

Elizabeth created the Stanford Language Center in 1995 as a research-based home for the learning and teaching of languages, an environment where students and their instructors could pursue excellence and where curriculum, professional education, and assessment practices would be intertwined. Her support of this mission led to the professionalization of language instruction; curricular reform; and systemic and systematic assessment of student proficiency in the language programs. In so doing, she ensured that student performance would reflect language learning of the highest quality in the United States and demonstrate the readiness of Stanford graduates as world citizens.

She was a role model for her knowledge, professionalism, dedication, and hard work.

Beyond her own achievements, Elizabeth was deeply committed to fostering the growth of those around her, students and colleagues alike. Her leadership was never about her own recognition but about empowering others to realize their potential, always placing their development and success at the forefront. This selflessness earned her not only admiration but profound gratitude from all who had the privilege to work with her. Her genuine care, generosity, and unwavering support have made a lasting impact on the lives she touched and will leave an indelible mark on the community.

We celebrate her life and legacy.


In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in her honor at Stanford Medicine. Donation checks may be made payable to Stanford University with a memo note of “in memory of Dr. Elizabeth Bernhardt-Kamil for award GHJPO” and mailed to Stanford University, P.O. Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309-0466. Gifts can also be made online at elizabethbk.stanford.edu

WHEN: December 11, 2024 from 4-6 PM

WHERE: Cedar Room, Stanford Faculty Club

439 Lagunita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305

RSVP here

Elizabeth Bernhardt-Kamil

Known to friends as “E.B.,” she brought a new form of language instruction to Stanford.