Can a Windows client request an IP address from a linux dhcp server?

yep

DHCP is an independent technology. When connecting to a DHCP server, the server shouldn't even have any idea idea what OS you are using(This is not the case with Windows 2003 Server - it queries for an OS type which only windowsXP or newer knows how to respond to... all other computers just show up as "Other Operating System" or something like that.)
Basically, if two machines use the same protocol then there is no reason( aside from not phyiscally being connected to each other) that they would not be able to interact.

Thanks!

That is what I thought should happen kierl.

So you would set up samba for network and printing services, correct? After samba is set up, the Windows users would be able to save thier files to a /home directory on the linux server? However, they cannot have MS programs (Word, etc.) on the linux server?

A friend and I are setting up a linux server for a school, and the linux part is OK we just need to incorporate a few Windows machines into the network. That is new territory for me.

kierl: I'm just setting up my first Gentoo system.

Thanks for your thoughts.

gentoo rules.
But yes, samba for network shares.
Most distros add network devices to the default runlevel, but, where you're setting up a server, you should probably add the network card to the boot runlevel (just use 'rc-update del net.ethX default' and 'rc-update add net.ethX boot') I say this just because your server will be loading a fair number of programs at boot time that require a network connection so it's best to get it up as soon as possible...

Also, I don't really know much about running applications from a server but there ARE ways that Word and other Office programs can be run off of a *NIX server... I just have no idea how... I think it involves a lot of tweaking of WINE...