EVANSVILLE, Ind. — While the legacy of David Rice stretches far beyond Evansville, those who speak about the founding president of the University of Southern Indiana point to all the ways the community, university and individual lives were forever changed because of his vision.

Ninety-year-old Rice died peacefully at his home in York, Pennsylvania, Wednesday night, the university said.

A visitation and funeral will be held on campus, but arrangements are still pending.

Ronald Romain, CEO of United Leasing & Finance and Rice's former student at USI, said Rice's campaign to establish Southwest Indiana's own public institution came from research he did on the success of high school and college graduates in the area.

Rice was driven to help area residents seeking bigger education and career opportunities. Romain attributes the growth of the university and Evansville community to Rice's foresight.

"Of anybody in my career and lifetime that's done more for our community, I would say Dr. Rice is that individual because of the impact that he's had with the start up of the school. These aren't programs, what the university is today is an institution for lifetime learning opportunity."

Rice's past efforts continue to inspire current USI students and professionals to reach their goals because of the standards Rice and his wife set at the institution, Romain said.

"He was just a visionary; there's no question about it," Romain said. "And I think the influence he's had in Southwestern Indiana for 50 years is quite remarkable.

"He's certainly left an amazing legacy to the university, and I was proud to serve the university knowing what he wanted there."

Rice joined USI, which was then called Indiana State University-Evansville, as a dean in 1967. The school had 922 students at the time and held classes at the old Centennial School on Evansville's West Side.

The university became independent from Indiana State in 1985, and Rice took the helm as founding president.

The school had already moved to its current location by then, but Rice oversaw its growth during his time as president with the construction of several new buildings.

USI had an enrollment of 7,443 when he retired in 1994.

Even after Rice's retirement from the university, current USI president Ronald Rochon said Rice's vision led to the school's continued developments, including the expansion of the student body.

"Across this campus you'll see happy faces that are living their purpose, finding their passion and doing great things with their lives because of people like Dr. Rice and his wife," Rochon said during a news conference at the university Thursday afternoon.

Now the school Rice helped build has more than 11,000 students representing countries from all over the world.

Rice had been honored for his work at the university, including an induction into the Evansville Regional Business Hall of Fame in 2013. The university library also bears his name.

"When you think about the impact, he was incredibly passionate," said Greg Wathen, CEO of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana. "He just drove so much activity at the University."

Rochon said the university is saddened by the death of Rice but they want to celebrate the legacy he has left.

"Our story is one of community, of linking arms, minds and resources to overcome adversity," Rochon said. "More than a half-century ago, an institution of public higher education in Southwestern Indiana was only a dream. It took the perseverance of Dr. Rice and those around him to make this dream a reality. Never underestimate the power of an idea, how it can transform lives, and how it can propel a community. Dr. Rice knew this, and we celebrate and embody these tenets each and every day in all that we do."