Don Veal represented the pioneering, can-do spirit of Wyoming. Over three decades Veal excelled at every level of the University of Wyoming from instructor, to student, to faculty member, to administrator, and ultimately the 20th president of UW and first alumnus of UW to serve as president. Throughout his journey, Veal always kept his eyes fixed on the horizon and never stopped doing what had to be done to advance science, teach students, solve some of our toughest problems related to the water we use, and serve the state of Wyoming and the world.

Veal came to the University of Wyoming as a full-time instructor in Civil Engineering in 1958. While teaching, he continued his own education at UW, earning a Master of Science in Civil Engineering in 1960 followed by a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering in 1964, the first doctoral degree granted by the College of Engineering.

After completion of his doctorate, Don began serving as the Associate Director of the National Resources Research Institute, where he and Director Dr. John Bellamy created the airborne science program at UW, which continues to this day. On July 1, 1971, the Department of Atmospheric Science was formed, and Veal was named its first department head. During this time, Veal's research focus was on water-related problems. His inspiring leadership led to the acquisition and development of the research King Air, N2UW, by which the department gained international recognition. A skilled pilot and educator, Veal transported students into the science they were studying. Veal epitomized the kind of education UW can give its students - for instance sketching out the equations describing turbulence on the wind screen of the aircraft he was flying to explain what was happening to students in the cabin. In 1980 Veal was appointed Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies. Although this appointment marked his formal departure from the Department of Atmospheric Science, his leadership of UW's research enterprise allowed him to remain closely connected to the department and its work.

Veal's responsibilities at the University expanded considerably the following year. After UW President Edward Jennings resigned, Veal was named Acting President on August 15, 1981. On April 15, 1982, following a national search and the consideration of over 322 individuals, the Board of Trustees selected Don Veal to serve as the 20th President of the University of Wyoming. He formally began his presidency the following day, April 16, 1982.

Veal served as president for more than five years, concluding his tenure on June 30, 1987. Near the end of his presidency, he also began his association with Particle Measuring Systems, marking the next chapter of his professional career. By the time he left UW, Veal had devoted approximately 29 years to the University, beginning as a young Civil Engineering instructor and ultimately serving in its highest leadership position blazing a path that expanded how we measure the atmosphere, the lives of students, and the university itself.