Alumni Profiles: Catching Up with Dale Turner '03
Our latest alumnus profile on Rhetoric Notes is of Dale Turner ’03. Mr. Turner was a Rhetoric major and Philosophy minor at Wabash. In addition to being a Sigma Chi, he was involved in crew, intramural sports, and assisted at career services. He also spent a semester studying abroad in Scotland.
TM: Please tell us a little about what you have been up to and your job in the banking industry.
DT: I am currently living in Bemidji, MN, which is about 4 hours north of Minneapolis where I work for First National Bank, a community bank of approximately $500MM in total assets. First National Bank is a family and employee owned bank that has been in operation for over 110 years. I am the department head of Retail Lending, which is the division of the bank that handles all consumer lending products including real estate, auto, personal, and unsecured loans. [At right, Dale Turner outside the bank vault]TM: What is your job like on a day-to-day basis?
DT: My day is spread between many facets of my job. Due to a major overhaul in the regulatory sector of the banking industry, specifically real estate lending, a large part of my recent months have been spent reviewing current lending regulations to ensure my team is in compliance, as well as making adjustments for future regulatory changes. I also review and make loan recommendations when working directly with my lenders and head up loan committee meetings to approve loans which fall over my officers set approval limits. Overall, most of my day is spent ensuring that my department is providing the best products and services to our customers.
TM: What led you to a position in banking?
DT: After Wabash, I was offered a position at Wells Fargo as a Credit Manager, which was my first exposure to banking, as well as lending. I was with Wells Fargo for 4 years and was promoted through the ranks to District Manager, where I managed 9 real estate and consumer lending offices. My promotions with Wells Fargo moved me from Indianapolis to Chicago, and then to Minneapolis. I was offered the Head of Retail Lending position in August of 2006 and have been in northern Minnesota ever since.
TM: What do you most enjoy about your job?
TM: What do you most enjoy about your job?
DT: I have always enjoyed working in a team environment. My current position allows me to work through daily issues in regards to staffing, efficiencies, compliance regulations, sales goals . . . the list goes on! I enjoy working with a team to ensure we operate as effectively and efficiently as possible. I have always seen individual production as a simple task, but when employee management is involved, it adds a new ingredient to the recipe. Not only are you striving to complete a task in a team environment, but you have to get people to work together to attain the goal, which at times can be the most challenging, yet the most rewarding part of the job.
TM: How did Wabash help prepare you for the banking industry?
DT: Solid leadership and management require excellent communication skills, it’s that simple. When managing team members, you are presenting ideas and communicating with multiple people to accomplish an overall goal. To ensure success, clarity is vital. It is imperative that the presentation of new ideas, procedure adjustments, as well as product roll outs are not only clear, but well thought out. Rhetoric created the foundation of bank management for me, stressing the importance of knowing both sides of an argument and identifying the significance of your audience, which have been crucial aspects of my successes.
TM: Do you have a favorite Wabash memory that you would share?
DT: Chapel Sing during my freshman year is, hands down, my favorite Wabash memory. Obviously being a Sigma Chi, this event is very near and dear to my heart.
TM: I can’t believe that you didn’t say your favorite memory was that day in October 2001 when you helped me move some of our possessions after my family bought a new house :)
TM: What is something that you miss about Wabash?
DT: I miss that feeling of walking on campus, being part of such a great piece of history and tradition every day. There’s an aura that you feel when you’re at Wabash. Even the campus itself exudes pride and prestige without even having to say it.
TM: In closing, is there any academic and extra-curricular advice that you would offer to current students?
DT: Do as much as you can! When students enter the “real world,” they’ll have hundreds of items on their plate and there’s no better preparation than practice. I specifically enjoyed crew and moot court, which are great activities for a Wally! Also, there’s no better experience than getting up in front of a class and giving a speech. This is a daily occurrence for me, so if you are ever looking to be in management, presentation skills are critical. I’d advise getting as much practice as possible, which means take as many rhetoric classes as possible (Rhetoric major or not!). [At left, Dale Turner enjoying the winter weather of Minnesota]
TM: Thanks, Dale, for taking the time to share your thoughts with Rhetoric Notes. Keep in touch and be sure to drop by the Rhetoric Department next time you are on campus.
parole was imposed. My practice is mostly in the U.S. and Indiana Supreme Courts, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals. Most of the questions we deal with involve interpretation of the state and federal constitutions and statutes, which makes each case a unique intellectual challenge. The job involves a lot of reading transcripts of trials, researching a wide variety of legal questions, and writing briefs for the appellate courts. Although I present oral argument in many cases, much like what Wabash students do during the Moot Court Competition held each year, much of my time is spent researching and writing. (At right, Steve Creason before the Indiana Supreme Court)
And it doesn't have to be a full-time job, you can serve on a school board, local advisory board, or even be active in civic groups that improve the community. I don't believe I know a public servant or volunteer who doesn't find his or her efforts to have been highly rewarding. 
TFM
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member of the Wabash community with memberships including Theta Delta Chi, the Sphinx Club, the Thomas Riley Marshall Democrats, and the Parliamentary Union.
GG