Members of the Student Government Association met with several Kentucky politicians and WKU administrators Thursday night in the Augenstein Alumni Center during the Dine with Decision Makers event.

This marks the fifth year SGA has held the event.

SGA President Keyana Boka said Dine with Decision Makers was created to give student leaders the opportunity to discuss issues in higher education with state leaders.

President Gary Ransdell, State Treasurer Todd Hollenbach, Provost and vice president for academic affairs, Gordon Emslie, and Kentucky state representative Jody Richards were some of the many guests in attendance.

Bowling Green junior Chelsea Cornett delivered the keynote speech at the event. Cornett spoke of Margaret Munday, the first African-American undergraduate student to attend WKU and the impact she had on her community.

“Once she had that precious degree, she took the final step to give back and created a 35 year long teaching career,” Cornett said.

Cornett also cited examples of WKU’s impact on people she knew.

“Western’s impact isn’t only in our alumni, it’s also in our students and in our peers,” Cornett said. “Everyday, I see the importance of this education in my peers. The number of students I know that are tackling the world’s biggest issues and all under the age of 22 is absolutely astonishing.”

Cornett also spoke of herself. Cornett said while she was in high school, she was diagnosed with a heart condition that left her homebound for four years.

“As much I loved learning and I loved education, college suddenly became something that I didn’t think would be achievable; something that was no longer going to be a possibility for me,” Cornett said. “However, Western was this incredible opportunity that I was given. Western works hard to make sure that every student is given what they need to be successful, whatever the challenges of that student may be.”

Cornett spoke of the activities she was involved in at WKU and said it helped with her personal growth.

“Without WKU, I strongly feel that I would not be the person that I am today and I would not be the woman I hope to become,” Cornett said.

Crestwood sophomore Chris McKenna said he learned a lot during the event.

“I really enjoyed myself and I’m glad that they could put this on,” McKenna said. “Hopefully, I’ll be able to have opportunities like this in the future.”