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Building the Blocks of Duke Registration

Assistant University Registrar Misty Lenhart started her career in construction

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Misty Lenhart, assistant university registrar at Duke, keeps a 'stress cupboard' in her office. Photo courtesy of Misty Lenhart

Name: Misty Lenhart Position: Assistant University Registrar Years at Duke: 4.5 What I do at Duke: My main duty is to set up registration for all of the schools at Duke, except the med school. I set up all of the technical aspects of registration, which includes a lot of testing to make sure the system is working as it should. A memorable moment at Duke: I remember being blown away by the Chapel. Every time my family comes down to visit, I always take them there. It’s so beautiful and the size of the organ is amazing. My first ever job: I worked construction in the summers when I was in high school, since I was 16. I built pre-fabricated steel buildings such as warehouses and factories. My father owns a construction company so I did a little bit of everything, from doing the foundations to putting up siding, windows, doors and operating machinery. They had me up on the roof a couple of times, which I did not like. My dream job: to own my own brewery with my husband.  We home brew. We’ve been doing that for probably four years, and we just love it. We love the craft beer scene in North Carolina because it’s really exploded over the years. In our free time, when we’re not brewing, we like to go to Fullsteam and Raleigh Brewing Company and a lot of festivals. If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: Music or craft beer. Music has always been a big part of my life. Going to concerts is something we do a lot in our free time. (They recently saw Bruce Springsteen in Raleigh.) A unique thing in my office: My ‘stress cupboard.’ (Lenhart has it stocked with a stress-o-meter, a wind-up chicken and stress balls.) I’ve given a lot of these things away to people I feel need them to help lighten their mood. The best advice I ever received: I remember starting my career and trying to make my way out of college and I had a less than stellar job. My grandfather basically said to always give them a good day, because having a job is a luxury and no matter where you’re at, you should always give 110 percent. What I love about Duke: The sense of community, and the opportunity just to volunteer. I volunteer with some of the events for Duke Children’s Hospital. I was a retail card ambassador, where you basically stock the cards at Barnes & Noble. I did a bit of work for the Teddy Bear Ball helping with the setup. I worked one year collecting financial information for people who called into the Radiothon. I like being able to contribute, even in a small way, to help Duke Children’s Hospital.

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