Texan Mosaic

by SHELBY MORGAN//Staff Writer

It wasn’t the career path that Tom Stalcup originally planned for his life, but it is one that he has thoroughly enjoyed.

He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Architecture Degree from Texas Tech in 1984 and worked as an architect full-time, until he began taking classes part time at South Plains College learning to do AVID, a video editing software. He also taught construction and rigging classes part-time.

He was planning to move to California and use his architecture background to design movie sets and thought knowing about video production would help. He graduated with an associate’s degree in Performing-Arts Technology from SPC in 1998. One thing led to another, and when a position opened at SPC, he began to teach full time in January of 1999, later becoming program coordinator.   

“The thing that makes this whole thing funny is my high school drafting teacher is the one who encouraged me,” Stalcup explains, “and he told me that I should teach because I have a real knack for patience with drawing. I told him that he was crazy, and that I would never teach. But almost 20 years later, here I am.”

He often volunteers his time and talents to help produce music videos and projects in his spare time. A friend of his created a company, and together they created and produced 28 episodes of a series about local musicians that aired on the PBS station in Lubbock.

“One of the things that I am most proud of while working at SPC was co-producing two seasons of “StoryTellers & Music Makers – hosted by Kenny Maines”,” he said. “Kenny interviewed local musicians, and fellow producer Doug Nelson and I taped the shows in SPC studios with several of our faculty and students helping with the productions. The shows then aired on KTXT-PBS. Meeting and working with these artists and the crew members was a truly great and rewarding experience.”

Aside from teaching in the classroom, Stalcup has also had the opportunity to travel around West Texas working on various concert tours, productions of SPC events, and also local area charity events. He has been able to meet many entertainers, producers, and technicians at those events and during seminars, lectures, and concerts for students and the community.

“I’m thankful that I met some great students who impressed me with their talents, hard work and attitudes at SPC,” Stalcup said.

Away from campus, Stalcup is a member of Lubbock Industrial Lions Club and serves as a volunteer with Lubbock Meals on Wheels. He and his wife Janis enjoy taking day trips to various parts of Texas and the surrounding areas. Though they have no children of their own, they take great pride in loving and spoiling their 12 nieces and nephews, 20 great nieces and nephews, and one great-great nephew.

After an almost 20-year tenure at SPC, Stalcup is gearing up for retirement. He does not currently have plans for his retirement, but hopes that he will have an opportunity to be able to return to teaching in the Creative Arts Department part-time.

“I’ve already told my wife that if I don’t teach a little bit, I’m not doing anything, Stalcup said. “I want to see what it’s like to not do anything for once.”

[Photo by JORDAN PATTERSON/PLAINSMAN PRESS]