Class of: 1957, 1959, 1961

Joel S. Gopen

Joel S. Gopen (DGE’57, CAS’59, SSW’61) of Sharon, Mass., published his first book, The Rain Barrel (Kindle Direct Publishing, 2020), whose main character is a 15-year-old high school student “suffering many challenges of adolescence. She gets assistance from a thinking and talking mouse—the product of an amazing scientific experiment—with abundant wisdom and common sense.” After serving in the US Navy during the Korean War, Joel attended BU. He worked with adolescents at community centers and camps and as a street worker with at-risk youths. He retired from a 28-year career as a Brookline High School social worker. Email Joel at mimjoegop@verizon.net.

From the Summer 2021 issue.