South America
Alfred Gomes, Class of 1889
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Civil Engineering
Gomes enrolled in WPI in the Fall of 1887. A transfer student, he was considered a junior when he entered and was assigned to the Class of 1889. Gomes was one of many students sent by the Brazilian government to North American schools during the late-19th century.
After graduating, Gomes returned to his native Brazil. By 1912, he had lost contact with his surviving classmates, though they noted he had returned to Rio de Janeiro. In a 1912 issue of the WPI Journal, his classmates retained hope he might one day re-establish contact.
Joaquim Junqueira, Class of 1916
Minas, Brazil – Electrical Engineering
"Joe" as he was known to classmates enrolled for a year at Worcester Classical High School to improve his English before joining WPI. A quiet student, "Nhonho" also practiced photography as a hobby.
His classmates joked the unfamiliarity of pronouncing his last name often led instructors to pass on calling on him in class, at their own expense. Junqueira returned to Brazil after graduation, carrying the well –wishes of the entire Class of 1916 home with him.
Ricardo G. Pereira, Class of 1921
Curytiba, Brazil – Electrical Engineering
Pereira came to WPI originally as member of the Class of 1920. Military service during World War I saw him re-classified into the Class of 1921 who were happy to receive the "best soccer player" on campus.
Nicknamed "Spud," was also active in the Cosmopolitan Club and was a frequent attendee at campus social events. He would also acquire a reputation for his extensive use of the telephone.
Elpideo d.L. Werneck, Class of 1903
Leopoldina, Brazil – Mechanical Engineering
Werneck originally entered WPI with the Class of 1902 but was forced to return to Brazil after his sophomore year owing to a family illness before returning to campus. He was advised to attend WPI by fellow Brazilian, Henrique Da Cruz, from the Class of 1894.
Regarded as one of the best engineers in his class, Werneck enjoyed working on locomotives, even inventing a method to stop grease-lubricant loss on trains. Ever proud of his homeland, he often offered to help his classmates re-settle in Brazil should they ever choose to leave the United States.
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