The Natchitoches community and Northwestern State University family bestowed several surprise honors upon the out-going first couple Dr. Jim and Tonia Henderson last week. In addition to dedicating Friday’s performance of the NSU Christmas Gala to the Hendersons, Mayor Lee Posey presented the couple with a key to the city. The university will name the third floor conference room of Caspari Hall the Dr. Jim Henderson Conference Room and will place an iron bench bearing the names of Dr. and Mrs. Henderson in the Alumni Plaza. Earlier in the week, the Student Government Association unveiled plans to place a bust of the Italian poet Dante in front of the Student Union dedicated to Dr. Henderson. Henderson, who served as NSU’s president for the last two years, will assume duties as president of the University of Louisiana System on Jan. 1, 2017.