Penn Mutual Announces Winner Of Fifth Annual Life Of Significance Award
Left to right: Eileen McDonnell, chairman and CEO of Penn Mutual, Kraig Puccia, 2019 Life of Significance Award recipient, and Joseph Jordan, author of “Living a Life of Significance.” (Photo: Penn Mutual)
At the 2019 Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC), Kraig Puccia of Fordham University was the winner of the fifth annual Penn Mutual Life of Significance award, presented by inspirational speaker and author Joe Jordan and Penn Mutual CEO Eileen McDonnell.
This prestigious award was inspired by the values of Penn Mutual and Joe Jordan’s book, Living a Life of Significance, which details the positive impact the life insurance industry has on society. Kraig was recognized as the winner in an on-field presentation at the Penn Mutual CRC on June 1 live on ESPN. Upon winning the award, Penn Mutual provides a $5,000 contribution made to the charity of his choice, the Tundra Women’s Coalition. Fordham’s rugby program also receives $1,000 in Rhino Rugby gear for equipment needs.
As shared in Penn Mutual’s press release, Kraig, a student of Fordham University, traveled to Bethel, Alaska as a member of Fordham’s GO! (Global Outreach) Program to learn about how drug and alcohol abuse impact the local community. While in Alaska, Kraig primarily assisted the Tundra Women’s Coalition, which works to protect women in the community from their partners during alcohol or drug-induced episodes that threaten their safety.
Last year, Kraig volunteered at the Domestic Violence Bureau at the Queens District Attorney’s office. This summer he will volunteer at the Veterans Advocacy Project through the Urban Justice Center, doing pro-bono work for neglected veterans throughout New York City.
The Penn Mutual Life Of Significance Award was inspired by the book, Living a Life of Significance, by Joseph Jordan, who has spoken to over 400,000 financial professionals in 28 countries. His book, which is translated in 5 languages and has sold over 125,000 copies, emphasizes living a purpose-driven life that’s in service of others. These are values of Penn Mutual and Fordham University.
Coincidentally, Joe is an alumnus of Fordham and is a member of the Fordham University Football Hall of Fame. This is the first time in the history of the award that it was won by a Fordham athlete.
There are a number of other connections between the Joe and Kraig. They’re both from middle-class neighborhoods in New York City, Joe from the Bronx and Kraig from Queens. Additionally, they both attribute their affinity for helping others to the Jesuit saying, “Men and women for others.”
Joe says that Father McShane, President of Fordham University, charges current students and alumni to, “Do the world a world of good.” Kraig receiving this Life of Significance award is proof that his message is working.
