Around this time last year, Tori Fobb was gearing up for her last season on the Brenau University Golden Tigers Softball Team.

Fobb, who was her team’s captain and an award-winning player, graduated in May with a degree in business administration. Like most graduates, she was looking forward to starting the rest of her life when the unthinkable happened — she was diagnosed with encephalitis.

In a matter of weeks, the potentially deadly brain infection transformed her from a star athlete in tip-top shape to a young woman unable to eat, speak or move on her own.

After hearing about her condition, her alma mater decided to reach out to the student and her family.

“She clearly made an impact while she was here as a student and athlete,” said Mike Lochstampfor, Brenau University athletic director.

“(Fobb) was such a big part of our family, we just felt a desire to give her and her family whatever assistance we could to help with medical costs.”

Medical care can be expensive, especially when the patient is uninsured; Fobb no longer was covered by her parents’ insurance after she graduated.

“When we found out what they were doing, we were very surprised. This wasn’t something that we were expecting,” said Dorothy Fobb, the graduate’s mother, said of the school’s efforts to help.

“I was so involved with trying to find out what was wrong with Tori that I wasn’t thinking beyond that moment, so when the school suggested setting up a fund it was quite a surprise.”

With the prayers of friends and family, support of the Brenau community and care of her doctors, Fobb continues to make progress every day, her mother said.

“I want to thank everyone for their outpouring of support and prayers. I know that Tori appreciates it. She kind of understands that she’s been ill, but we aren’t sure how much she will remember. Right now she’s talking a little and each day she gets better at communicating,” said Dorothy Fobb.

“When she was first diagnosed, her doctors said it would be a slow recovery. We are all hoping that she makes a full recovery, but we can’t bet on it. We’ll just have to wait and see how she progresses.”