---
title: Howard University Scholarship Award Created to Honor Legacy of Former HAI Group Employee
description: "After the death of an HAI Group employee, the company worked with his alma mater, Howard University, to establish a scholarship in his name: The Gibriel Cham Advocacy in Leadership Award. "
image: https://blog.haigroup.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/_D7A4233.jpg
---

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# Howard University Scholarship Award Created to Honor Legacy of Former HAI Group Employee

![](https://blog.haigroup.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/_D7A4233.jpg)

- June 4, 2022

![Andrew Ragali | Assistant Director, Marketing and Communications | HAI Group](https://blog.haigroup.com/hubfs/Capture-2.jpg)

[Andrew Ragali | Assistant Director, Marketing and Communications | HAI Group](https://blog.haigroup.com/author/andrew-ragali)

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In 2021, Gibriel Cham, a beloved colleague and immensely positive force at HAI Group, passed away unexpectedly.

During his 29-year tenure, he worked from intern to director.![](https://blog.haigroup.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Capture-PNG-3.png)

"No matter his role, he was always a valued colleague," said HAI Group President and CEO Ed Malaspina. "Most importantly, he was a dear friend to all of us at HAI Group and beyond." 

HAI Group held a remembrance ceremony shortly after Cham's death (Malaspina is pictured above speaking at the ceremony in summer 2021), but the company wanted to do more to honor his legacy. 

## Scholarship honoring Gibriel Cham's legacy

After Gibriel's death, HAI Group worked with his alma mater, Howard University, to establish a scholarship in his name: The Gibriel Cham Advocacy in Leadership Award. 

The award is handed out by the Center for Insurance Education at Howard University. The university's executive advisory board recently named Lori-Ann Knight (pictured below), a rising sophomore, as the inaugural selection for the award. Knight is studying mathematics (actuarial science concentration) and computer science, and maintains a 4.0 GPA. 

![](https://blog.haigroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image-png-Jun-23-2022-05-53-43-36-PM.png?width=190&name=image-png-Jun-23-2022-05-53-43-36-PM.png)

Knight has displayed a great interest in pursuing a career in the risk and insurance industry.

"Her determination and commitment to others make her the ideal recipient for this award," said HAI Group President Ed Malaspina. 

Congratulations, Lori-Ann! 

 The information presented is for general reference only. HAI Group makes no representation or warranty about the accuracy or applicability of this information for any particular use or circumstance. Your use of this information is at your own discretion and risk. HAI Group and any author or contributor identified herein assume no responsibility for your use of this information. You should consult with your legal, professional or subject matter advisor before implementing any new strategy or policy.

 HAI Group® is the registered trademark of Housing Authority Risk Retention Group, Inc. and its related companies. For a complete list of HAI Group companies, visit www.haigroup.com. Products or services may not be available in all jurisdictions. Certain property and casualty coverage may be provided by a risk retention group or a surplus lines insurer or by a third party. Risk retention groups and surplus lines insurers do not participate in state guaranty funds and their insureds are not protected by such funds.

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