Donald Farish, president at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, died July 5 after a "sudden and serious illness."

He was 75.

Farish served as president of Rowan University in Glassboro from 1998 until 2011.

He joined Roger Williams in 2011 and was the university's 10th president. He was planning to retire next year when his contract expired.

"As our 10th president, he truly transformed this University, leading us forward in community engagement, college affordability and equity," a statement on Roger Williams University's website read. "Along the way, he demonstrated a genuine love for students and a steadfast belief in the power of higher education to transform lives. More than that, he was a thoughtful, wise and caring friend who we will miss greatly."

Farish was a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He held a bachelor's degree in zoology, a master of science in entomology, a Ph.D in biology from Harvard University and a juris doctor degree from the University of Missouri.

His career in education spans more than five decades, having taught at the University of Missouri, University of Rhoda Island and Sonoma State before joining Rowan University.

As Rowan's sixth president, he oversaw the growing college's expansion physically and academically including new buildings on campus and the development of Rowan Boulevard.

Our deepest sympathies to the family of former @RowanUniversity president Donald Farish, who passed away at the age of 75 on Thursday. https://t.co/XjcqqYyhhY — Rowan Radio (@RowanRadio) July 6, 2018

We are deeply saddened by the news of President Farish's death today. He was a wonderful man who accomplished so many things for this University and he will be greatly missed. Click the link to read more, we will have more info as it is released. https://t.co/vdgPsaG22L pic.twitter.com/nU3L5UvNZx — The Hawks' Herald (@thehawksherald) July 6, 2018

Jessica Beym may be reached at jbeym@njadvancemedia. Follow her on Twitter @jessbeym. Find NJ.com on Facebook.