A Connecticut trade school in New London shut down without warning in April, leaving students and staff in limbo. But Monday Porter and Chester Institute opened a New London campus in the same building, giving the same people who said they were heartbroken a chance to get back into the classroom.
"I was only there for three days and the fourth day and we pulled up and nobody was around. The doors were closed," said Ashely Weed of New London.
She always dreamed of working in the medical field, especially after her grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. So when Ridley-Lowell Business and Technical Institute closed without warning, she cried.
Ridley-Lowell administration cited severe financial challenges and that its national accreditor was eliminated as reasons for closing.
Afterward, Weed tried to take classes at Branford Hall Career Institute, but she didn’t stay long.
"It was an hour drive...I was going to work too," Weed said.
Then she heard Porter and Chester was opening in New London, in the same building at 470 Bank St. The institute also offered coursework in electrical, dental assisting and in her program, medical assisting.
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The school also updated classrooms and equipment.
Carol Cournoyer, campus director of operations and education, was hired back into her role at the new campus along with three other faculty and administration employees. A few of the 20 students currently in classes are former Ridley-Lowell students.
"I think Porter and Chester had a plan in mind. If there were instructors available they wanted to reach out and offer them employment opportunities," Cournoyer said.
At the time it closed, Cournoyer said Ridley-Lowell had 147 students, 20 faculty members and five administrators.
"Our hope is that the more students find out about the Porter and Chester location here in New London, those students who felt that perhaps other schools were a bit too far of a drive, they now know this resource is right here," she added.
According to Cournoyer, she worked for a few weeks without pay after Ridley-Lowell shut down to make sure student records were properly given to the state.
Medical assistant instructor Terry Thurrott said her heart broke for her student back in April and she’s thrilled to be back teaching, thanks to Porter and Chester.
"I’m so happy they’re here and to get back to teaching," Thurrott said.
Night classes start in January and Cournoyer said former Ridley-Lowell students have already signed up.
Courtney Birdsell, a former student, said she wished she knew Porter and Chester was coming to New London sooner. She had already enrolled in another school and is traveling an hour for her medical assisting classes now.
