North America
Frederick Banan, Jr., Class of 1938
Balboa, Panama – Chemical Engineering
Banan was a socially active student who was described as "that Handsome Prince Charming." While a student, Banan was a member of The Peddler yearbook staff, a brother in Alpha Tau Omega, and played saxophone in The Boyntonians, the school's popular band.
Banan also participated on the schools Track & Field Team, where he excelled at the high jump. After graduation, he was employed at General Electric Co. where he was a systems and computer specialist.
Vincent N. Diaz, Class of 1915
Fajardo, Puerto Rico – Mechanical Engineering
Diaz enrolled at WPI after briefly attending Brown Preparatory School in Philadelphia, PA. His classmates quickly accepted Diaz, who they called "Jimmie" and "Vin." Active in the Cosmopolitan Club, he also showed an interest in steam power.
Upon earning his degree, Diaz was sworn into the United States Army, serving in World War I. He remained in the Army and retired after two decades holding the rank of Colonel. He returned to his native Puerto Rico in retirement where he lived out the rest of his days in a small country town, a declaration he once made to his classmates while still at WPI.
Etienne Totti, Class of 1911
Yauco, Puerto Rico – Civil Engineering
Totti enrolled at WPI along with his brother Noel. A founding member of the Cosmopolitan Club, he was also elected his classes' Vice-President. He shared a home with WPI's other International Students during his time in Worcester.
He returned to Puerto Rico after graduation and was elected to their House of Representatives. He unsuccessfully campaigned for Governor of Puerto Rico in 1923. His son, also Etienne, attended WPI as a member of the Class of 1941.
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