The N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh received a gift of modern and contemporary work from the private collection of Mary Patton and her husband. Patton, a Durham native, is an accomplished artist herself.

The mixed-media work of Chapel Hill's Shelly Hehenberger is featured in an exhibit titled "Psyche Unveiled" at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary. A wine reception takes place Feb. 4.

The paintings of Chapel Hill's Luna Lee Ray and the ceramics of Chapel Hill's Susan Filley are on display at FRANK Gallery in Chapel Hill through Feb. 8.

The Craven Allen Art Gallery in Durham is holding the Medici Schmedici exhibit, which explores the relationships between artists and major collectors. The show features the work of Heather Gordon, a Durham resident, and runs until March 28.

At the inaugural gala of the Greater Durham Black Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 7, Andrea Harris, president of the N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development, is being honored for her contributions to the minority community.

Vanessa Jenkins, vice president of Preston Development, was elected chair of the board of directors for the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce.

Rosalind Fuse-Hall, Ph.D., president of Bennett College in Greensboro, gave the Martin Luther King lecture at the N.C. State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences in Raleigh. Her topic was "The Strength of Diversity."

Tonya Williams, principal at Sherwood Githens Middle School, won recognition as Durham Public Schools Principal of the Year. Williams is now in the running for the title of Wells Fargo Principal of the Year for 2015.

For the 14th consecutive year, UNC-Chapel Hill ranked as Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine's best value in American public higher education. "Remaining affordable while offering a world-class education and opportunities to participate in groundbreaking research is central to Carolina's mission," said Carol L. Folt, the chancellor.

Denise Bennett, vice president and business sales and strategy officer in Wells Fargo's Business Banking group, expanded her role at the bank after being named the Raleigh market president.

Kristin Ruth, family law attorney, joined the Raleigh-based law firm Smith Debnam. Ruth brings 23 years of experience in private practice and on the district court bench.

SearStone Retirement Community in Cary announced:

• Nancy Broadwell, CSW, joined the staff as a social worker. Broadwell, who graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh with a degree in social work, is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.
• Fatima Smith, BSN, RN, was hired as clinic manager. Smith has experience in home health, pediatric, emergency, gerontology, long-term, hospice and acute-care settings. She has lived in North Carolina for eight years.
• Aurora Oliveros, BSN, RN, was promoted to director of nursing. Oliveros grew up in the Philippines and trained as an emergency room and operating room nurse.

Jessica Yee, a Cary resident, is the new art director for Wedding Story Writer. The firm, which produces custom-designed books, is located in Durham.

Justice Cheri Beasley was sworn in last month in Raleigh as associate justice for the N.C. Supreme Court. Beasley has served as an associate judge on the N.C. Court of Appeals, district court judge, family court judge and juvenile court judge.

June Atkinson, N.C. superintendent of public schools, spoke on "The Education of N.C. Children" at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary.

Research Triangle Park employees from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences taught a group of students from Lowe's Grove Middle School in Durham about the impact of air pollution and cigarette smoking on respiratory health. Wanda Holliday, a contract specialist at NIEHS, believes that pairing students with mentors increases their interest in the subjects.

The Triangle American Heart Association, based in Morrisville, welcomed Pat Nelli, Triangle Heart Ball director of development; Patrena Hill, director of development for the Triangle Go Red for Women campaign; and Laura May, special events administrator.

WomenNC, a Raleigh nonprofit that advocates for women's human rights, hosts its United Nations Fellowship Dinner at N.C. State University's Hunt Library on Feb. 19. At the event, students present research on the status of women. The keynote speaker is Annie Clark, founder of End Rape on Campus.

The Lucy Daniels Center in Cary received a $5,000 grant from the Caterpillar Foundation for Lucy's Book Club, which provides educational programming to support healthy development and literary skills for Triangle kids. Clarenda Stanley-Anderson, director of development and communications, said the donation will help the center share knowledge with the community about emotional wellness in early childhood.

Cornucopia Cancer Support Center hosts a pair of benefits this month to help Triangle residents with cancer. Mary Lawrence, president and CEO of Cornucopia Benefits, said Cornucopia relies on these events to offer oncology services at no charge to people affected by cancer. The group's Chocolate 5K begins at Duke University's East Campus Gazebo on Feb. 7 and its 15th annual A Chocolate Affaire takes place Feb. 8.

Jaye Kreller, a realtor at Tony Hall & Associates, received the 2014 Realtor of the Year award at the inaugural ball of the Greater Chapel Hill Association of Realtors.

Harriette Doggett, of FonvilleMorisey Realty, is serving as the 2015 president of the Raleigh Regional Board of Realtors.

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation announced:

• Cheryl Rodgers, RN, Ph.D. received a Discovery Grant of almost $100,000 from the foundation. This grant is designed to help nurse researchers find ways to improve the quality of care and life of young cancer patients. Rodgers is a nurse researcher at Duke University Medical Center in Durham.
• Lisa Crose, Ph.D. of Duke University received the foundation's 'A' Award, which is designed for young scientists who want to establish a career in pediatric oncology. Crose will receive $450,000 over three years to continue her research into rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancerous tumor of the muscles.

Nora Berg and Albena Ivanisevic, researchers in the Department of Materials Science at N.C. State University in Raleigh, moved a step closer to developing a new range of biosensors for use in medical and biological research. A paper on their work was published online in a scientific journal.

Deborah Fletcher, a Raleigh-based romance author, will release her new novel, "Playing With Fire," in March. The setting of the book highlights the Raleigh jazz scene.

Raleigh's Kim Church, author of "Byrd," is the recipient of the second annual Crook's Corner Book Prize for best debut novel set in the American South.

Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh, owned by Lisa Poole, announced its author events for this month, including:

• Feb. 5 - Betsy Polk and Maggie Chotas, "Power Through Partnership"
• Feb. 6 - Kristin Hannah, "The Nightingale"
• Feb. 14 - Madelyn Rosenberg, "How to Behave at a Tea Party" and Amelia Morris, "Bon Appétempt: A Coming of Age Story With Recipes"
• Feb. 16 - Carolyn J. Brown, "Song of My Life: A Biography of Margaret Walker"
• Feb. 17 - Dr. Pauletta Bracy, "On Multicultural Magnificence"
• Feb. 20 - Carrie Knowles, "Apricots in a Turkish Garden"
• Feb. 23 - Shannon Hale, "Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters"
• Feb. 27 - Heather Webb, "Rodin's Lover"
• Feb. 28 - Shelia Moses, "Dark Girls"