Faculty/Instructor
Rebecca
Bunker-Hermance,
Hometown: Idaho Falls, Idaho
Universities attended, graduation date, and degree: Montana State University, graduated May 1999 with a degree in Elementary Education. Washington State University Interdisciplinary Design Institute, graduated May 2008 with a masters in Interior Design.
WSU Department you are in: Department of Interior Design
Class topics you have taught: Sophomore design studio on perception and communication, and introduction to digital media in interior design.
Your research/teaching area of interest: Exploring the idea of everyday interior spaces as environments that are restorative from stress.
Any plans before CQ begins: Well, I would love to travel more…France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the East coast of the U. S., etc. Who knows what could happen!
Interests/Hobbies: I like to paint with acrylic and watercolors. I also enjoy painting walls, preferably a really noticeable color. I love kickboxing, rock climbing, bellydancing, reupholstering furniture, sewing crazy things for my house, reading books and magazines, and making cookies.
Favorite summer memory: I pretty much love summer in general, but any time spent in the sun by a pool or lake is my favorite.
Your life goal: I have lots of goals! I would like to teach interior design and have my own design practice, part-time. I would also like to run a marathon.
About me:
When I was in high school, I wanted to be a teacher, an engineer, an interior designer, and sometimes a chemist, depending on the day. In college, I started out in engineering, but proceeded to switch very quickly to elementary education. After graduation, I taught for six years at an awesome school in southeast Idaho and absolutely loved it. I bought a house of my own, and quickly painted and updated every inch of that place, sometimes more than once. My favorite thing was to be able to make so much difference in a space without it costing very much. After much soul-searching, I decided to return to college for my masters degree in Interior Design. I came to WSU-Spokane because they have a great 3 year program for people with bachelors degrees in fields other than design. I graduated in May 2008, and am now temporarily teaching interior design at WSU in Pullman. I have enjoyed it more than I could imagine, and am excited to be combining my love of teaching with my love of interior design.
While attending WSU, I met my husband, and we have been married for 1 year. We have a sweet dog, a grouchy cat, and about 100 fish. I like Thai food and sushi when eating out, but my all-time favorite has to be grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup! I love adventures, although I have no interest in ice climbing or visiting Siberia. I am excited to be teaching at Cougar Quest 2009.
