Hall director balances family, responsibilities
Michelle Thomas
Issue date: 11/21/06 Section: News
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She hops into the seat next to her 4-year-old brother, Kyle, and her big sister, Kayla, 6, springs to action, taking charge of preparing an afternoon snack for her younger siblings.
A chorus of chattering and singing follows Lehew as she walks into her living room from the kitchen just as one of her residents pops his head in to discuss a meeting scheduled for that evening.
"It's a team effort around here," Lehew said with a smile.
With four children ranging in age from 6 years to 8 months and 150 residents, Lehew said, she has finally realized she can't be in control.
"The joy of having a large family comes with sacrifices," she said. "But I wouldn't change anything. I can't imagine doing anything else."
Edward Tran, a sophomore computer science major and resident of Brachman Hall, said having a family in the residence hall reminds him of home.
"It's refreshing to see kids running down the halls," Tran said. "It just reminds me not to take myself so seriously."
While unconventional, Lehew said, she couldn't be happier about having a full house and a dorm full of college students.
As a junior education major at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., Lehew said she found her calling while working as an assistant hall director in her dorm.
"I loved what I was doing," she said. "When I found out I could do it for a living and wouldn't have to be taking classes, too, it was the only full-time job I applied for after graduation."
Since then, Lehew has worked as a residence hall director at five other universities, including her alma mater.
She is in her seventh year at TCU with her husband of 10 years, Tony, who owns his own business in Fort Worth.
"It wouldn't work if I had to do it on my own," she said. "My husband helps a lot with the kids, and his job usually allows him to be here if I need him."
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