Omelio Sosa Jr., Class of 1958

Basketball, Volleyball, Swimming, and Track and Field

Athletic:
Belen
Athlete of the Year (1958)

Basketball
Starter 1957 & 1958
Team Captain 1958 Leading Scorer 1958

Volleyball
Starter 1956-1958
Undefeated Conference Champion 1958

Swimming
Gold Medalist in the following races:
50M Freestyle
100M Freestyle
4X50M Medley
4X50M Freestyle Relay
4X50M Medley Relay

Track and Field
Participant in the Long, Triple, and High Jumps 1956-1958

Camaguey Tennis Club
Swim Team Participant 1956-1958
National Champion of the "Union Atletica Amateur"

Oklahoma State University
Intramural Swimming and Volleyball

Professional and Personal:
Research Scientist with the USDA - Agricultural Research Service.

Authored or co-authored 86 scientific papers, abstracts, reports and/or popular articles.

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Purdue University (1977-80), and University of Florida (1984-96)

President, American Society of Sugar Cane Technologist, Florida Division (1988)

Represented the mainland US sugarcane industry at the International Society of Sugarcane Technologist Congresses in Brazil (1989) and Colombia (1995)

Appointed by the US Secretary of Agriculture to the National Plant Genetics Resources Board (1990-92)

Liaison representative of the Entomological Society of America to the American Society of Agronomy (1982-1992)

Chair of the Entomology Section Committee of the International Society of Sugarcane Technologists (1995-97)

Program Chair and organizer of the First Entomology Workshop of the International Society of Sugarcane Technologist in W. Palm Beach, FL (1991)

Program Chair, Twelveth Biennial International Plant Resistance to Insects Workshop held in Savannah, GA (1995)

Invited to give keynote presentation to the Central America Association of Sugarcane Technologists Congresses in Guatemala (1985), Honduras (1989), and Costa Rica (1991)

Associate Editor, Florida Entomologist, an International Journal for the Americas (1984-1991)

Florida Entomological Society, Auditing and Finance Committee (1983-85)

Volunteer civic, community service and involvement with the school since graduation

Recognized by the US Secretary of Agriculture under the Department’s 'Points of Light's program for voluntary involvement in community services (1991)

Served as the Hispanic Employment Program Manager for the USDA-ARS, South Atlantic Area (North & South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands)

Member of the Brigada de Asalto 2506 – Cuba’s Bay of Pigs Invasion

Lives in West Palm Beach with his wife, Maria del Carmen Sosa.