James Donio, KLN ’77, adjunct assistant professor, graduated from Klein College of Media and Communication in 1977 with a bachelor of arts in journalism. Almost 50 years later, he is now teaching at his alma mater, sharing his industry experience.
Before returning to North Broad, Donio first taught music business courses at Monmouth University. During his time, his class materials turned into stories about celebrity encounters from NSYNC to Luther Vandross. His students joked that he needed to write a book about his adventures.
Years later, the joke turned into reality.
Donio published his memoir, “Fame by Association: Music, Movies, Mummers & Me,” in September 2025.
"I would tell a very interesting story,” Donio said. “Then, my students would say, tell us another. I would eventually say, ‘You’ll have to wait until the book comes out.’ I kept saying that for 10 years, and I can't keep saying that unless there is actually going to be a book.”
In 2024, he started to create an outline, wrote down all his memories and collected hundreds of photos to place in the book. After 18 months of curating and editing, the book was released last fall.
“Even now, when I look at the book," said Donio. “I hold the book in my hands and flip through it myself. I still can’t believe that I actually sat down and wrote it because I had talked about it for so long.”
Early in his story, he explains his love of pop culture after seeing films like West Side Story and Mary Poppins. In his teenage years, he joined the historic Philadelphia Mummers Hegeman String Band and played the glockenspiel. Then, he landed a role in creative services for the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) and the Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA).
As the book continues, Donio shares photos of himself and celebrities at award shows, red carpets and studios.
In 2010, he awarded Taylor Swift with Artist of the Year in Chicago, presented by NARM. Donio loves telling students about his experience with her, and it is usually their favorite to hear about.
While teaching at Monmouth University, he had gotten a few opportunities to guest lecture at Klein College and Boyer School of Music and Dance. Donio was then the president of the Music Business Association. He was invited to Klein College’s renaming event in 2017. Donio spoke to Temple University interim provost and the dean of the Klein College of Media and Communication, David Boardman, and shared his experience teaching music business classes.
Eighteen months later, he started teaching MSP 2663: The Recording Industry and Music Business, and he has not looked back.
“James’ pride in and passion for the Klein College and for our students is contagious,” said Boardman. “In a variety of ways, he helps elevate us, especially in connecting our students and faculty with his many resources in the music business.”
When Klein College announced the addition of the audio and live entertainment major, Donio collaborated with Klein faculty to make the major truly one-of-a-kind. Together, they helped it gain national recognition and promoted it to prospective incoming students.
One way they did this was by climbing onto Billboard’s Top Music Business Schools list, with Klein College earning recognition in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Jack Klotz, associate professor of practice and vice chair of the Department of Media Studies and Production, could not be more thrilled with Donio’s addition and contribution to the program.
“It is people like James who want to give back to the next generation,” said Klotz. “They want to help the next generation of Owls and have a good career as they did.”
On top of his teaching schedule, Donio serves as a career coach through Klein EDGE and advisor to the Music Business Club. He is consistently looking to help students find a career in music, whether through his personal connections or with Klein alumni. He is also director at large for the Klein College Alumni Association.
“How lucky was I to have a career that I have had,” said Donio. “That I can be back here, giving back, trying to make a difference for students who have a passion for this career and entertain them with all of these stories.”
“Fame by Association: Music, Movies, Mummers & Me” can be purchased here.