Brandeis Stories

March 9, 2026

Malcolm L. “Mal” Sherman, P ’83, H’14 , a longtime business executive and the second-longest serving active member of the Brandeis Board of Trustees, has died. He was 94.

During his service as chair of the board from 2007-2013, Sherman was credited with helping the university through significant challenges. He helped guide Brandeis through the 2008 economic downturn that challenged higher ed endowments, and developed new budget planning models that put the university on firmer footing.

“Mal leaves a legacy of service and giving to the Brandeis community,” President Arthur Levine said. “His leadership and commitment to the university’s values cannot be understated. He was a mentor and my rock.”

“When called to lead, he infused his love for the university with incredible business acumen to solve problems and look for opportunities,” said Lisa Kranc, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Mal was an invaluable colleague on the board who always had Brandeis’ best interests at heart.”

Sherman leaves his wife of 67 years, Barbara Cantor Sherman ‘54; a daughter, Robin Sherman ‘83; and two granddaughters, Lila and Jessica.

A Cornell graduate, Sherman was also a proud veteran of the Korean War. He served with distinction after studying at the Army Language School in California. Fluent in Chinese due to this training, he worked as an interpreter during his service and maintained this linguistic skill throughout his life.

He credited Barbara for introducing him to Brandeis. The couple married in 1958 in a Brandeis chapel, four years after she graduated. She was involved in class activities, and a few years after their wedding she introduced her husband to founding President Abram L. Sachar at a dinner.

The two talked, and Sachar followed up, Sherman told Brandeis Stories in a 2013 interview. He fell in love with the campus, and soon he and Barbara began a long tenure of support for the university. His daughter, Robin, graduated from Brandeis, and his two granddaughters had their bat mitzvahs on campus.

Sherman was elected to the Board of Trustees in May of 1981 by virtue of the office as the Chair of the Board of Fellows, and was later elected as a full trustee in 1984. He received an honorary degree from Brandeis at the 2014 Commencement ceremonies.

“This is a great educational institution, unique in this country, probably unique in the world, for its interesting combination of the humanities and science, for its Jewishness, for the fact that it has done so much in such a short period of time,” he said in the 2013 interview. “It appealed to me because it is rooted in principles I am comfortable with, and because my wife loved the place so much.”

Sherman and his wife gave generously to Brandeis; they established and supported The Barbara Sherman ’54 and Malcolm L. Sherman Director of Theater Arts.

“The Theater Arts Department is deeply grateful for Mal and Barbara‘s ongoing support for our department,” said Cameron Anderson, who currently holds the Sherman professorship. “Mal’s dedication to Brandeis was palpable in all of our lunches and conversations. We would not be the department we are today without his many years of support. I have been honored to be the Sherman chair over the past three years, and he will be dearly missed.”

Sherman served as the chairman of Zayre Stores and executive vice president of Zayre Corporation until 1987. After his retirement from that corporation, he served as chief executive officer of Regina Company, Channel Home Centers, Morse Shoe Co., Ecko Group, Inc., SmartBargains.com and Casual Corner.

He was past chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Museum of Science and Tufts Medical Center, past chairman of the Board of Directors for the New England Sports Lodge, B’nai Brith, and past chairman of the Two/Ten International Foundation. He was a trustee of Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary, The Auerbach Foundation and The Fourth of July Foundation. He was a commandeur of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs.

Funeral arrangements can be found here.