Texan Mosaic

[Editor’s note: This story is part of an ongoing project in conjuction with the South Plains College Alumni Association. The project highlights former SPC students and their achievements.]

by BRANDI ORTIZ/News Editor 

Most know what they want to do when they apply to college, but that was not the case for Tania Moody.

Starting out to become an aspiring country singer, the Levelland resident says that she believed South Plains College was a perfect fit for her. Moody liked to call herself a propitious student doing “a little bit of this, a little bit of that.”

Originally in the commercial music department, she also tried mass communications under the supervision of professor John Sparks, performing arts in the Creative Arts Department, and also the SPC broadcast journalism program.

Moody was no stranger to the SPC environment. With both of her parents working for the college, her transition was a breeze.

“My dad came out here, and he is a really incredible piano player and vocalist himself,” Moody says. “So he came and played with me for my audition for a scholarship, and they ended up hiring him and giving me a scholarship.”

Throughout her college career, Moody participated with Country Caravan, a traveling country band that performed many shows around Texas in hopes of bringing in students to SPC. She also was the female vocalist of the year for the Commercial Music Department and was a Tom T. Hall Scholarship recipient.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Kaplan College in computer information systems, Moody began working for Levelland’s local radio station, KLVT AM,1230. Starting out in 2006 as a sales person, she noticed her love for the radio business was growing.

After moving up in the business to a sales manager and then a station manager, Moody leased the station in 2012. It was not until 2013 that Moody bought the station, explaining that the station is her “baby.”

“It was not something I always wanted to do,” Moody explains. “But when I got into the business, I really fell in love with it.”

“Trial by fire” is what Moody uses to describe her experience in starting up the business.

“Just a little learning as I went,” said Moody, “and I had a really good mentor here. The gentleman who sold me the business has taught me throughout the seven years I worked for him.”

Using a network of other station owners, Moody often calls upon them when she is need of a helping hand.

Aside from own and operating the radio station, Moody is also on a plethora of boards throughout the community.

“I really enjoy doing things for the community,” says Moody. “I like community service. I like people and working with them.”

Moody does not let owning a business stop her from her true passion, which is singing.

“I do still sing, but not as much as I would like,” she adds.

Apart from her being a station owner, she is also a full-time mom to her two wonderful children. Her oldest son, Sam, is currently in the Air Force learning to become an airplane mechanic. Her youngest child, Maddy, is studying at Abilene Christian University to become a teacher. Her husband, Stuart Moody, works at SPC, where he is the chairperson of the Creative Arts Department and assistant professor of sound technology. Her mother, Schahara Hudleson, also works for the college as an English professor.

Moody thinks what has really helped her in the business is the great team she has at the station, including the station cat, Hosmer, named after a player for the Kansas City Royals, Eric Hosmer.

“If you can find something you love to do, you never work a day in your life,” is a quote Moody believes that is exemplified through SPC. “I believe that pursuing something that you love with a passion is always worth it.”