By Jason Mierek
March 16, 2026 – The Coalition for Academic Scientific Computation (CASC) and the Linux Clusters Institute (LCI) are pleased to announce Al-Bashir Muhammad, research computing professional at Colorado State University, and Harold Ramcharan, adjunct professor at Grambling State University, as the 2026 recipients of the prestigious CASC Charlie Bender Scholarships to attend the 2026 LCI Introductory Workshops.
The Charlie Bender Scholarship honors the legacy of CASC co-founder Charles “Charlie” Bender, PhD, and supports the professional growth of research computing and data (RCD) professionals, particularly system administrators and HPC practitioners at emerging or under-resourced institutions. The scholarship provides financial support for recipients to attend LCI training workshops, covering travel, lodging, registration, and meals.
Al-Bashir Muhammad was selected based on his strong background in HPC system administration and his comprehensive understanding of the research, science, and engineering aspects of high-performance computing. His application received unanimous support from the LCI Steering Committee and industry experts, including endorsement from Erik Scott, Director of HPC & AI Business Development at AMD, who highlighted Al-Bashir’s relevant experience and alignment with the scholarship’s goals. The committee also noted that Al-Bashir’s institution, Colorado State University, exemplifies the type of emerging or under-resourced environment the scholarship aims to support, in contrast to other applicants from better-funded institutions. This careful consideration ensured that the scholarship advances professionals who benefit most from the training and contribute significantly to their academic research computing communities.
“I want to show my appreciation to CASC and LCI for finding me worthy of this prestigious scholarship that enabled me to attend the Introductory Workshop,” said Muhammad. “Beyond the financial support, this scholarship provided me a rare avenue to advance professionally, pursue my goals, and help carry forward Charlie Bender’s legacy. Learning how to build a cluster from scratch while incorporating node health checks was a particularly valuable takeaway and is directly applicable to my current cluster monitoring project at CSU. Just as importantly, the workshop connected me with a new network of colleagues and friends. Many thanks to our instructors — JD, Kyle, and Alan — and to our host, Dr. Nic Herndon at East Carolina University, for making the experience memorable for our cohort in Greenville, North Carolina.”
Harold Ramcharan, an adjunct professor and HPC confidential computing researcher based in Raleigh, North Carolina, has demonstrated strong interest in advancing his expertise through LCI training despite financial constraints typical of part-time faculty at smaller institutions. His proactive outreach regarding workshop accessibility and funding support underscores his commitment to professional growth in research computing. Harold’s dedication to expanding HPC capabilities and his active engagement with the research computing community make him an ideal recipient of the Charlie Bender Scholarship, which aims to support professionals from under-resourced environments.
“I extend my deepest appreciation to CASC and LCI for selecting me as a recipient of this esteemed scholarship. This support allowed for participation in the Introductory Workshop, offering a vital platform for academic advancement and the alignment of my professional goals with the visionary legacy of Charlie Bender. The curriculum provided essential technical competencies; in particular, the methodology for nascent cluster assembly and the integration of diagnostic node health checks will be immediately integrated into my ongoing monitoring projects at GSU. Equally significant was the opportunity to access most of the material after the workshop ended. I am profoundly grateful to the instructional team—JD, Kyle, and Alan—and to our host, Dr. Nic Herndon at East Carolina University, for their dedication to fostering an environment of excellence for our group in North Carolina. I seriously intend to attend the next upcoming event.”
The recipients have participated in the 2026 LCI Introductory Workshops, gaining hands-on technical training and opportunities for peer exchange with HPC professionals nationwide. These workshops provide a foundation for continued professional development and leadership in the research computing community.
“The Charlie Bender Scholarship reflects CASC’s deep commitment to strengthening the national research computing and data ecosystem by investing in talented professionals at emerging and under-resourced institutions,” said Kathryn Kelley, Executive Director of CASC. “By partnering with the Linux Clusters Institute to provide high-quality, hands-on training, we are not only honoring Charlie Bender’s legacy, but also ensuring that the next generation of HPC leaders has the opportunity to grow, connect, and contribute meaningfully to their campus communities and to the broader scientific enterprise.”
The Charlie Bender Scholarship was established in memory of Charles “Charlie” Bender, PhD, founding chairperson of CASC, who dedicated his career to advancing high performance computing and networking for business and education. After leadership roles at Lawrence Livermore Laboratories and the University of Georgia, Bender became the first director of the Ohio Supercomputer Center and founding chair of CASC from 1987 to 2002. He was also named academic director for the Department of Defense’s High Performance Computing Modernization Program and later served as director of the Computational Sciences and Mathematics Division at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Bender’s academic credentials include a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the University of Washington and postdoctoral work in theoretical chemistry.
The Charlie Bender Scholarship supports education and training for RCD professionals consistent with CASC’s strategic plan objectives to develop leaders, establish strategic partnerships, and broaden CASC membership. Scholarships cover travel and registration for training events identified by the CASC Executive Committee, including the Linux Clusters Institute workshops, PEARC, Cyberinfrastructure Leadership Academy, and SC conferences.
To apply to the Charlie Bender Scholarship, please contact Kathryn Kelley at kelley@casc.org.
About the Coalition for Academic Scientific Computation (CASC)
The Coalition for Academic Scientific Computation (CASC) is an educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organization focused on advanced computing technology in the 21st century. Composed of over 100 partner institutions, CASC’s mission is to accelerate scientific discovery and develop a diverse workforce. Together, like-minded individuals and universities form a passionate community to support research computing and data. More information is available at https://casc.org.
About the Linux Clusters Institute (LCI)
LCI provides education and advanced technical training for the deployment and use of computing clusters to the high performance computing community worldwide. Founded in 1998, LCI includes some of the world’s foremost specialists in building and deploying clustered high-performance computing systems. It is the premier international forum to share information on management, administration, and advanced computing techniques for high performance cluster computing. More information is available at http://linuxclustersinstitute.org.