Mike Suchcicki was already a local legend when I joined the staff at the Pensacola News Journal in the late 1980s.
I had been reading his feature stories and informative columns in the PNJ for years when I became a cub reporter at the big bear of a guy’s side. But he wasn’t just a writer. Suchcicki was also a cartoonist and humorist for the paper – and a game inventor on the side.
Later, he would branch off to the digital side of the newspaper business ─ he learned web design on his own ─ and led in the development of digital news production at the PNJ, including his creation of the first PNJ website. Suchcicki was a powerhouse at the PNJ who did it all, from leading major projects, serving as assistant features editor and even as religion writer for a short stint.
Now, Suchcicki – most call him “Sooch” ─ has brought his 30-plus years of media experience to Pensacola State College, where he is a multimedia specialist in the Marketing Department. His responsibilities include the production and distribution of various PSC newsletters, such as
“The Pirate,” a weekly digital collection of stories about PSC staff, faculty and students, as well as monthly newsletters for the
PSC Foundation and the
PSC Nonprofit Center for Excellence and Philanthropy.
Suchcicki, who retired from the PNJ in 2015, joined the PSC family in August.
Actually, he rejoined the family. Suchcicki was a student at then-Pensacola Junior College from 1975 to 1977, earning his two-year associate degree in journalism in three years.
“I was here for a long time," he said of his PJC student years. “I just liked it here and thought it was such a fun atmosphere. I could have done my A.A. in two years, which is the typical thing, but I just liked it here so much that I just figured out ways to keep coming back.”
He got his first taste of journalism writing for
The Corsair, which is still the PSC student newspaper.
“Our journalism instructor was
Linda Bauer, who taught a lot of folks who went on to pretty substantial journalism or marketing or advertising careers. She was a very influential person in my life.”
Bauer said Suchcicki was one of the most creative students she ever taught.
“Oh my goodness, he came in with a lot of talent and enthusiasm," Bauer said. “He was a good writer from the beginning and very creative. He could bring out the feature angle on almost any story. He always had a creative twist.”
Now, he’s brought the same talent, enthusiasm and creativity to PSC.
“We all sort of drive by PSC and you know, you kind of glance at it when you’re driving and you think ‘What a lovely little school,"’ he said. “And now that PSC has become a daily destination, I just really enjoy being here every weekday, rain or shine. The campus is such a nice oasis on Ninth Avenue. It’s just an atmosphere that makes me feel good. The people here are sweet and have been very welcoming, so I’m really enjoying being here.”
Suchcicki has made an impact in his short time in marketing. He’s turned the former Pirate Briefs from a once-a-month email newsletter to a weekly digital magazine-style format heavy on features, photos and even links to videos.
He is also writing profiles and features and is heavily involved in PSC social media.
“To say that I am thrilled that Mike joined the marketing team is truly an understatement," said PSC marketing director
Sheila Nichols. “As you can see, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the college. His enthusiasm and desire to get the word out about all aspects of PSC is refreshing. I am told on a daily basis how blessed I am to have Mike Suchcicki,
Mary Mabins and
Troy Moon, all former Pensacola News Journal talent, on my team. I concur; yes, I am very blessed! “
Suchcicki, like the rest of the marketing team, is on the lookout each day for stories about PSC’s family of students, teachers and staff.
“We’re going out looking for stories on the campus that are important or interesting to the people here," Suchcicki said. “There are hundreds and hundreds of interesting people at our campuses and centers. We want to share their stories.”
Though PSC keeps him busy, Suchcicki’s creative drive is still in high gear. He is the creator and developer, along with son Joe, of GHOULASH, an action-adventure game that is available in two formats – a paper version and a card-deck version. Suchcicki first conceived GHOULASH in the 1980s and has been updating it and tinkering with it ever since.
“I’m somebody who likes to tweak," Suchcicki said. “I’m always tweaking whatever project I’m working on, wither it’s a story or a video or whatever.”
-- Troy Moon
