The Student Government Association is bringing highly regarded individuals from the community to WKU with the Dine with Decision Makers event on Thursday.

The event will take place at 6 p.m. in the Cupola Room in the Downing University Center. Students are invited to attend for free and can RSVP on the SGA website.

This is the third year the event has taken place. SGA Executive Vice President Kendrick Bryan said it was former SGA President Kevin Smiley’s idea to create the dinner.

Getting ready for the event has been a group effort from various members of SGA, which is the sole sponsor of the event, Bryan said.

SGA President Billy Stephens said the event benefits both decision makers and students.

“Dine is a great event because it gives students the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with the leaders not only of our great state, but this university,” Stephens said.

As of now, 14 decision makers have been confirmed. President Gary Ransdell and Robbin Taylor, vice president for public affairs, are confirmed to attend the event.

Local mayors that will attend are Rhonda Trautman from Glasgow, Ron Payne from Owensboro and Tim Walker from Elizabethtown.

Warren County Judge Executive Mike Buchanon will also attend the event. A representative for Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo will attend in his place. KSP Commissioner Rodney Brewer will also attend.

Six state legislators — Jim DeCesare, Jody Richards, Dorsey Ridley, Wilson Stone, Mike Wilson and C.B. Embry — will be on hand.

Pending RSVPs are Auditor-elect Adam Edelen, the Board of Regents members and Bowling Green City Commissioner Melinda Hill.

SGA Administrative Vice President Devon Hilderbrandt said the event will cost about $1,500. Legislation was not passed to fund the event because money is set aside specifically for it at the beginning of the year.

“It shows decision makers what Hilltoppers really can offer, and it also shows us to what we can do to help better ourselves as leaders and future decision makers,” Hilderbrandt said.