The Burlington Performing Arts Centre Announces Dr. Wally Pieczonka as the 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre Announces Dr. Wally Pieczonka as the 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee
BURLINGTON, ON – December 15, 2025 — The Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) has announced Dr. Wally Pieczonka as the 2025 inductee into its Hall of Fame, recognizing his extraordinary lifetime contributions to Burlington’s performing arts sector and his transformational philanthropic leadership. A distinguished physicist, engineer, and founder of Burlington-based Gennum Corporation, Dr. Pieczonka has been a resident of the city for more than 60 years and is widely regarded as one of its most generous arts supporters.
Through the legacy of the Pieczonka Family Foundation, Dr. Pieczonka has invested millions of dollars to strengthen arts, culture, education, youth, and mental health initiatives across Burlington and the surrounding region. His now endowed fund at the Burlington Community Foundation, which includes the assets of the Pieczonka Family Foundation and the Mavis Pieczonka Memorial Fund, generates annual charitable grants, ensuring sustainable support for the arts for generations to come.
He has also contributed decades of leadership as a founding member of the Burlington Community Foundation Board and as a supporter of numerous cultural and charitable organizations including The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington Symphony Orchestra, Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington New Millennium Orchestra, Joseph Brant Hospital and McMaster University.
“We were humbled to champion the nomination for Dr. Wally Pieczonka for this honour,” said BCF CEO Megan Tregunno. “He has been a longtime, passionate supporter of the arts through the Pieczonka Family Foundation Fund held at the Burlington Community Foundation. This well-deserved award recognizes Dr. Pieczonka’s quiet and generous support of the growth and evolution of the arts movement in Burlington.”
BPAC Executive Director Sara Palmieri noted that Dr. Pieczonka’s work has shaped the cultural fabric of the city for decades. “Dr. Pieczonka’s generosity has profoundly shaped the arts landscape in Burlington,” Palmieri said. “His belief in the unifying power of the arts and his commitment to future generations embody the spirit of our Hall of Fame. We are honoured to celebrate his extraordinary legacy as our 2025 Inductee.”
Dr. Pieczonka will receive the Hall of Fame Award on Friday, December 19, 2025, immediately prior to the 7:30pm performance of Sultans of String: Christmas Caravan at BPAC. The global holiday celebration, featuring 2024 Hall of Fame recipient and award-winning musician Chris McKhool, is being presented as a Pay-What-You-Can performance, including free admission, reflecting BPAC’s commitment to ensuring accessible arts experiences for the community.
For more information and to reserve tickets, visit burlingtonpac.ca/events/christmas-caravan
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The Burlington Performing Arts Centre
440 Locust Street, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1T7
www.burlingtonpac.ca
Box Office: 905.681.6000
Media Inquiries:
• Peter Van Dyk, Board Chair, Burlington Theatre Board Inc., PeterV@pvv-insurance.com
• Sara Palmieri, Executive Director, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Sara.Palmieri@burlington.ca