One of the biggest campus social events for nearly 40 years, Winter Whisper, sometimes referred to as Winter Whispers, took place annually from the late 1950s to the early ’90s. Initially a collaboration between X Hall (now Meredith Hall) and Windsor Halls, the celebration grew to encompass Earhart Hall, Cary Quadrangle, and Graduate House West. In conjunction with hall social chairmen and counseling directors, a steering committee of elected officers planned the evening, which consisted of a punch hour and formal dinner at each residence hall and dancing in the Purdue Memorial Union ballrooms. Over the years, attendees enjoyed the musical stylings of Tex Beneke, Skitch Henderson, Ralph Marterie, and Al Cobine. A variety show called Whisperings (and occasionally just Whispers) preceded the dancing portion of the evening on a number of occasions.

Winter Whisper committee members devised a theme and coordinating color scheme each year. Midnight blue and brushed silver were chosen for 1968’s Magic Is the Night event, while 1981’s Someplace in Time theme was selected to correspond with burgundy, dusty rose, and metallic gold. The committee also arranged for individual favors, formal invitations, photography, ballroom and dinner decorations, and bus transportation to and from the Union. Originally conceived as a yuletide gala commemorating the end of the fall semester, the festivity was moved to February in the late ’70s to coincide with Valentine’s Day.