Biography of Donald J. Farish
President, Rowan University
President Dr. Donald J. Farish is in the midst of leading the University through an aggressive 10-year improvement plan. His goal is to help transform what was a well-regarded institution into a University with a national reputation for excellence and innovation.
Phase one of his plan includes the construction of new academic facilities, such Science Hall (completed fall 2003), a home for the College of Education (fall 2005) and a 113-unit townhouse complex (spring 2005). His plan also has the University purchasing nearly 600 acres of nearby land where the Rowan will relocate its athletic facilities and build a technology research center, academic buildings and residence halls.
Dr. Farish’s plan also strongly emphasizes improving academic and student support initiatives, an effort that will increase retention and graduation rates.
Off campus, Dr. Farish has focused on strengthening relationships between the University and its surrounding communities. In Glassboro, he is working closely with community leaders in planning the redevelopment of the municipality's downtown and improving its schools.
He is a member of the Downtown Glassboro Redevelopment Committee, the New Jersey State Board of Examiners, the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology, the board of directors of the United Way of Gloucester County and the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey.
Dr. Farish’s influence on higher education goes well beyond the halls of Rowan University. He is a member of the New Jersey Presidents’ Council executive committee and is an active member of the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education’s long-range issue organization planning team, the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools.
Dr. Farish came to Rowan from Sonoma State University, in California, where he was the provost and vice president for academic affairs.
An accomplished author in the sciences, Dr. Farish has published six books and more than a dozen articles in magazines and journals.
He earned a doctorate in biology from Harvard University; a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri; a master's in entomology from North Carolina State University; and a bachelor's in zoology from the University of British Columbia, Canada.
Dr. Farish was born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada.
Rev. 10/04
