In an age when higher education has been reduced more to technical proficiencies answering the clarion call of market-efficiency, ContraryU stands in constructive opposition, offering instead a communal, slowed down, intentional approach to learning, with the flourishing of the whole person as the root motive and final aim. All communities have boundaries. All communities pursue some vision of the good life. ContraryU is a community that is attempting to answer the need in our current social order for deep connections with one another and with the truth.
Wendel Berry “The Contrariness of the Mad Farmer"
ContraryU is a community committed to learning, teaching, and researching life’s
enduring questions.
ContraryU is a community committed to bringing the wisdom of the Christian scriptures to bear on contemporary culture(s).
ContraryU is committed to constructing practices and structures that invite new members to join and sustain abiding members as we embody faith, hope, and love.
Matt Bonzo has been a professor of philosophy for more than 25 years. He is passionate about helping people understand the world and
themselves in redemptive ways. He and Dorothe (wife) also nurture Small Wonders
Farm where they raise beef cattle, pigs, and poultry. They are working at their new role
as grandparents, affectionately known as Grumps and Beppe, to Addie and Josie.
Michael Stevens grew up in the northernmost stretches of
Appalachia, in Cortland County, NY, where his ancestors on both sides had lived since
the Revolutionary War, mainly farming until the great displacement of people from the
land in the middle of the twentieth century (all four of his grandparents ended up
working at some point at the Smi
Michael Stevens grew up in the northernmost stretches of
Appalachia, in Cortland County, NY, where his ancestors on both sides had lived since
the Revolutionary War, mainly farming until the great displacement of people from the
land in the middle of the twentieth century (all four of his grandparents ended up
working at some point at the Smith-Corona typewriter factory in Groton, NY). After an
undergraduate Biblical studies degree, and a Master's in Great Books education, he
married Linda Merkel of Long Island, NY, and then completed a PhD in Literature from
the University of Dallas in Irving, TX. They eventually moved to Grand Rapids, MI,
where he worked as an English professor for 27 years, teaching a range of courses,
including American Literature, Russian Literature, and Imagination in Culture. After
teaching a course titled Home Economics with his colleague Matt Bonzo, they
embarked on the co-writing of Wendell Berry and the Cultivation of Life, published with
Brazos Press in 2008. Since then, his research, writing, and teaching has moved
around the central node of Berry's vision for sustainable and life-giving communities.
He and Linda have served in their church in Grand Rapids for the last 27 years, and
their neighborhood for the past 22 years. They live in close proximity to their three
children—Ethan, Julia (and her husband Sam), and Gabe—and even closer proximity to
their three aging cats.
ContraryU will accomplish its purpose through the offering of classes, supporting
research, and sustaining relationships. While we embrace a porous boundary for our
community as people discern their level of involvement, we also recognize the need for
an abiding membership that embodies both the truth and love that gives vitality to our
vision. We invite you to join us!
$5000
One time fee; all classes/events are free for first 3 years
$500-$1000
Renewed annually; all classes/events are free for the year
$100
Renewed annually; all classes/events are free for the year
Each class has suggested fee from $25-$200
For those who want to join a class at a time. You only have need to sign up for the class you want to take.
*While we have suggested fees for both membership and classes, you are welcome
regardless of your ability or desire to pay. Your presence is a gift to the community.
**Student Members must already be enrolled in school
Please do not let in-person attendance keep you from membership—a remote option will be available for all attendees. Simply indicate your attendance preference when you register for individual courses.
NEW LIFE GRAND RAPIDS 2777 Knapp St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Course Info:
This course looks at the intersection between philosophy, brain science, psychology, and formation by conside...
NEW LIFE GRAND RAPIDS 2777 Knapp St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
NEW LIFE GRAND RAPIDS 2777 Knapp St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Course Info:
A short course centered on making sense of the 2024
election while emphasizing faith, hope, and love as “polit...
NEW LIFE GRAND RAPIDS 2777 Knapp St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
NEW LIFE GRAND RAPIDS 2777 Knapp St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Course Info:
This course will take us alongside the
reflections of the 90 year old Kentucky farmer and writer Wendell Berry...
NEW LIFE GRAND RAPIDS 2777 Knapp St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
NEW LIFE GRAND RAPIDS 2777 Knapp St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
More details and course registration to come
NEW LIFE GRAND RAPIDS 2777 Knapp St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
NEW LIFE GRAND RAPIDS 2777 Knapp St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
More details and course registration to come
NEW LIFE GRAND RAPIDS 2777 Knapp St NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Copyright © 2024 ContraryU - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.