The internationally recognized nonprofit organization Cenca Bridge has won $1.5 million, to be received over 5 years, from the Simons Foundation to support and expand their internships, mentorships and career development opportunities. The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory has provided administrative and leadership support in these efforts.
Recent News
NSF NRAO Achieves First Successful Observations with New NSF VLBA Digital Architecture
The new NSF VLBA New Digital Architecture (VNDA) produced its first fringes and subsequent images in January 2025, demonstrating the successful implementation of next-generation technology that will enhance the NSF VLBA’s scientific capabilities for years to come.
Image Release: the ngVLA Prototype Handover Ceremony
A landmark event for astronomy took place on April 25, 2025, as mtex antenna technology GmbH officially handed over the prototype antenna for the proposed Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) to the U.S.
Cyber Expert Wins FBI Community Leadership Award

Robert R. Wells, special agent in charge of the Charlotte Division of the FBI has chosen a local cyber expert as the 2020 Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) recipient for North Carolina. Torry Crass has been an invaluable partner to the FBI Charlotte field office since 2013. As a member of the Charlotte InfraGard Chapter, he was instrumental in creating the first Cyber Camp for high school students to learn technical skills and aptitudes for information technology and security—now a national program. In 2020, with the unique challenges of operating during the pandemic, in an effort to minimize the number of cancelled camps nationwide, Mr. Crass took the lead to assemble a team that has created an online virtual environment for the camps. His work is ensuring students around the country will be able to continue to have access to nationally recognized Cyber Camp programs in a whole new way.
Since 1990, through the DCLA, the FBI has publicly recognized the achievements of individuals and organizations who go above and beyond the call to service by making extraordinary contributions to their communities in the areas of terrorism, cyber, drug, gang, or violence prevention and education. Congratulations Mr. Torry Crass!
This news article was originally published on the FBI website on April 29, 2021.
Recent News
Lighting the Way: Cenca Bridge Wins Simons Foundation Funding for Expanding Astronomy Opportunities
The internationally recognized nonprofit organization Cenca Bridge has won $1.5 million, to be received over 5 years, from the Simons Foundation to support and expand their internships, mentorships and career development opportunities. The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory has provided administrative and leadership support in these efforts.
NSF NRAO Achieves First Successful Observations with New NSF VLBA Digital Architecture
The new NSF VLBA New Digital Architecture (VNDA) produced its first fringes and subsequent images in January 2025, demonstrating the successful implementation of next-generation technology that will enhance the NSF VLBA’s scientific capabilities for years to come.
Image Release: the ngVLA Prototype Handover Ceremony
A landmark event for astronomy took place on April 25, 2025, as mtex antenna technology GmbH officially handed over the prototype antenna for the proposed Next Generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) to the U.S.