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Greetings friends,
With peak fall colors setting the scene, we recently gathered for Homecoming at Tremont’s campus in the Smokies. Together, former summer campers, current program participants, donors, staff from throughout the years, past and present board members, volunteers, neighbors, friends, and family filled the campus with energy and stories. Some joined our education director, John, for a curiosity-filled nature walk, while others gathered around the campfire in rocking chairs, sharing memories of their adventures at Tremont. It was a beautiful celebration—a reminder of Tremont’s profound, lasting impact over the last 55 years.
Surrounded by all these people who have been part of Tremont’s journey, I couldn’t help but think about the future. Continuing our legacy of connecting people to nature is something I am deeply committed to, ensuring that generations to come will experience the Smokies with the same sense of awe and community that we have shared.
While many have helped shape this legacy, one person has been pivotal in both honoring our past and guiding our future: Hank Dye. It is no exaggeration to say I wouldn’t be here without him—Hank was instrumental in my hiring. My resume caught his eye, and he helped bring it to the selection committee for consideration. Since we first met, he has become a mentor and friend and someone I admire greatly. As a long-time Park Volunteer and supporter of Tremont, he embodies the values of both Tremont and the Smokies.
Members of Tremont’s staff and board joined Hank on the second campus property.
I first set foot on the lower section of our second campus property with Hank. It was pouring down rain, and we both stood atop a hill, listening to the birds. As I stood there giggling, I began to see our campus take shape before me. I began to envision on that landscape a place where more people could share the Tremont experience – a place that builds community, provokes curiosity and dialogue, and teaches us that we are all connected. Hank was the one who found the land, and it was his charm and his patience that ensured we had the opportunity to secure it for our future.
Hank may not know how much he has meant to me on this journey. But one thing I can say is I am not alone in my gratitude for him.
At Homecoming, Hank’s former colleagues and friends surprised him with a fund established in his honor. The Hank Dye MyMtns Fund will support the creation, development, and future growth of Tremont’s new campus, an enduring tribute to his vision and love for this place.
To honor Hank’s legacy and to help us carry forward the vision he helped build, I invite you to learn more about the Hank Dye MyMtns Fund. Together, we can ensure this incredible work continues far into the future.
Warmly,
Catey McClary
President & CEO
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
