The Cronan Pathfinder Fund Nears $500,000 Goal

KODAK, Tenn. (AP) — The Friends of the Smokies organization says cash gifts and pledges total more than $463,000 for a new trail improvement fund in the national park.

The goal is $500,000 for the fund to honor the memory of Tom Cronan, professor emeritus at Carson-Newman College, who was a hiker at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The organization said in a news release that more than 90 individuals, companies and foundations from nine states have donated to the fund. Contributions range from $10 to $100,000.

Since 1993, the group has raised more than $31 million to help support conservation, education and other park priorities.

Joan Cronan, Tom Cronan's widow, is interim athletic director at the University of Tennessee.