Donald J. Farish (December 7, 1942 – July 5, 2018) was a Canadian American biologist and zoologist who served as the 10th president of Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island.

He earned a doctorate in biology from Harvard University in 1970, studying under the eminent biologist E.O.

Farish taught at the University of Missouri from 1968 to 1979, becoming chair of the Physiology and Behavior Section of the Division of Biological Sciences.

He worked at Sonoma State University from 1983 to 1998, rising to Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs after serving as dean of the School of Natural Sciences.

During 13 years at Rowan, he oversaw the physical expansion of the campus, including the construction of new academic facilities for science, medicine, teacher education and technology research; nearly 2,000 additional student residence beds to accommodate rapidly expanding enrollment; and a 26-acre downtown redevelopment project to connect the borough of Glassboro with the university.