The Office of Institutional Advancement is saddened to share the news that Sheldon Caplis, former vice president for Institutional Advancement and UMBC emeritus staff member, passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. A member of the President’s Council from 1993 to 2008, Sheldon was a treasured colleague and mentor who was instrumental in moving our alumni relations, fundraising, and marketing and communications to new levels of success.
Sheldon believed deeply in education and was passionate about philanthropy. The team he built at UMBC met challenging goals and helped establish many initiatives that are part of the campus fabric today. He guided the university in securing its first charitable gift of $1 million, and was especially proud to be a champion for the creation of the award-winning UMBC Magazine. During his tenure, he led a seven-year, $66-million fundraising campaign that exceeded its ambitious goal by $16 million.
Sheldon came to UMBC from the University of Baltimore, where he served in a variety of positions, eventually becoming the vice president for development from 1972 to 1973. He retired from UMBC in 2008 and went on to be the director of community relations at One Main Financial from 2008 to 2016 and the founder of Caplis Consulting. He was also the chair of the The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore’s Life and Legacy program.
Sheldon and his wife Jamie continued to support UMBC after his retirement as loyal scholarship donors. Established in June 2003 in memory of their fathers, the Joseph Caplis and Joseph Waldman Scholarship Fund supports students in the Meyerhoff Scholars Program.
Sheldon carried his advocacy for education beyond UMBC, serving on a variety of nonprofit and educational boards, including the Community College of Baltimore County. He was born and raised in Baltimore and received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Baltimore and his M.B.A. from Morgan State University.
Sheldon is survived by his wife Jamie, his son Jon, his daughter Allison, and four grandchildren. Services will be held at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. Please omit flowers. The family will receive visitors at 113 River Oaks Circle, Pikesville, MD 21208, Friday immediately following interment and also on Sunday.
Sincerely,
Stanyell Odom, Director of Alumni Engagement
Kim Robinson, Director of Major Gifts