“Our Band Could be on the Verge of Something Really Cool.” Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, February 10, 1992

“Our Band Could be on the Verge of Something Really Cool.” Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, February 10, 1992

As the band he formed with best friends Bill White and Travis Tooke at the University of Florida began turning a few heads in Gainesville, Jack Vigliatura penned an excited letter to Mary Shortt capturing the exact moment their casual musical project started showing some promise. What began simply for their own amusement was suddenly on the verge of garnering an audience, sparked by a surprise connection with a local record store manager who wanted to put their tape on the shelves. Balancing the whirlwind of this newfound musical potential with updates on tennis, upcoming travels, and old friends, Jack's...
Fully Gnarlies are Getting a New Apartment: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, January 24, 1992

Fully Gnarlies are Getting a New Apartment: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, January 24, 1992

The letter below, penned by Jack Vigliatura on January 24th, 1992, captures a mix of college-aged bravado and dark reality as the "Fully Gnarlies"—Jack, Bill White, and Travis Tooke—officially sign a lease to move into a new apartment together for the upcoming semester. Jack reveals that their affordable new home is located at Gatorwood Apartments, the infamous site where serial killer Danny Rolling committed a two of his brutal student murders just months earlier. Balancing a casual update about finding rare vinyl records with the eerie backdrop of Gainesville's recent tragedies, the letter offers a raw, time-capsule glimpse into student...
Already Packed and Ready to Come Home for Thanksgiving: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, November 21, 1991

Already Packed and Ready to Come Home for Thanksgiving: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, November 21, 1991

Written from the University of Florida on November 21st, 1991, Jack Vigliatura writes to wish Mary Shortt a belated happy birthday and share concerns about classes and a sick friend, while offering practical advice drawn from his own experience. Jack’s thoughts repeatedly return to family and his eagerness to be home for Thanksgiving—so eager that his books are already packed. The return address on his letter sent home jokingly shows the letter was mailed from Afghanistan. November 21, 1991 Mary, My you look older! Happy Birthday! I’m now sitting in Economics Wednesday morning and I’m not paying attention to the...
R.E.M. Pilgrimage: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, November 10, 1991

R.E.M. Pilgrimage: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, November 10, 1991

Written from Atlanta after a memorable weekend with friends, Jack Vigliatura’s five-page letter to Mary Shortt captures his excitement over a long-awaited but nevertheless impromptu visit to Athens, Georgia, and the places connected to his favorite band: R.E.M. Alongside humorous stories about record stores, Peter Buck’s home, the Grit, and the 40 Watt Club, Jack—who made the trip with Travis Tooke and a roommate named Steve—shares quieter reflections on faith, family, friendship, and the people who matter most to him. His enthusiastic and affectionate account offers a vivid glimpse of a young fan enjoying an unforgettable trip. November 10, 1991...
Keeping the Faith: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, November 4, 1991

Keeping the Faith: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, November 4, 1991

Written from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Jack Vigliatura’s letter home to his close friend Mary Shortt offers a glimpse into the financial struggles of college life in November, 1991. Between exams, papers, and thoughts of visiting friends, Jack reflects struggles and uncertainty, and the faith that sustains him, encouraging his friend to hold true as well. November 4, 1991 Mary, Well I FINALLY received your letter (no comment on the tardiness of it) Friday. It’s Saturday and I’ve got a full weekend ahead of me. I’ve got an Economics exam Monday and a Statistics exam Tuesday and an...
Always in My Thoughts and Prayers: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, October 22, 1991

Always in My Thoughts and Prayers: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, October 22, 1991

In this letter dated October 22nd, 1991, Jack Vigliatura writes to Mary Shortt from the University of Florida after seeing her over break. October 22, 1991 Mary, It was nice to see you this weekend. Despite the tough times my family has run into, I still rode home with a smile on my face. Your report card was AWESOME!!! Keep it up! I got my Economics test back and I got 20/30, which equals about a 66 percent (D+) but apparently no one else did that hot because there was a 21 pt. curve which changed my D+ to a...
Keep Trying: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, September 26, 1991

Keep Trying: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, September 26, 1991

In this letter, written on September 26th, 1991, Jack Vigliatura urges his close friend Mary Shortt to persevere through academic pressure, sharing his own struggles with grades, his faith that effort matters more than perfection, and his enthusiasm for the music shaping his days. Pictured above is a scanned letter written and mailed by Jack Vig on Sept. 26, 1991. September 26, 1991 Mary, How are you? Everything is going good here. It’s the same thing here with school and all. I’m getting burned out, too, but what makes it harder is I have to keep up my good grades...
“Think of School as Your Harvest”: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, September 19, 1991

“Think of School as Your Harvest”: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, September 19, 1991

In this letter, written on September 19th, 1991, Jack Vigliatura shares a lively glimpse of college life at the University of Florida. With warmth and humor, he recounts the challenges of studying in the Florida heat, managing a budget, cooking for himself, and finding comic relief amid the demands of school, before closing with an encouraging reminder for his friend. Pictured above is a scanned letter written and mailed by Jack Vig on Sept. 19, 1991. September 19, 1991 Mary, How’s everything? Everything is going well here. I have a German test tomorrow (Thurs.) so I keep slipping into Deutsch...
“If Bill or Travis Aren’t Around Then It Gets Pretty Lonely”: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, September 13, 1991

“If Bill or Travis Aren’t Around Then It Gets Pretty Lonely”: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, September 13, 1991

In this letter from Gainesville, freshman Jack Vigliatura offers a candid glimpse into his first semester away at the University of Florida. Writing to Mary Shortt on September 13th, 1991, he reflects on college culture, his demanding coursework and the importance of balancing hard work with fun, while encouraging her in her own studies. He also talks about making a trip home and coming to see Mary and his younger sister Anna at East Lake High School. Pictured above is a scanned letter written and mailed by Jack Vig on Sept. 13, 1991. September 13, 1991 Mary, Your letter was...
“Too Bad We Don’t Take Ourselves Seriously – We Might Actually Be Good”: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, September 9, 1991

“Too Bad We Don’t Take Ourselves Seriously – We Might Actually Be Good”: Jack Vigliatura’s Letter Home, September 9, 1991

In this letter to Mary Shortt, Jack Vigliatura describes his first weeks at the University of Florida, from a late night of dancing at the dungeon-like Netherworld to the game-day crowds that emptied the campus once kickoff arrived. He also shares an early milestone for the fledgling band then known as the Fully Gnarlies: an impromptu performance in the Graham Residence Hall lobby that drew a crowd singing along, requests for copies of a homemade tape, and Jack’s joking admission that the group might actually be good if they ever took themselves seriously. Jack Vig’s letter home to Mary Shortt...