The Man Behind Benilde-St. Margaret’s

On an average day, more than 1,000 students scurry about inside the walls of Benilde-St. Margaret’s, and the man who overseas the bustling busyness is Dr. Bob Tift.

Tift has a long history at the private, Catholic school. Not only is it his alma matter, it’s also where Tift spent most of his academic career, first as principal and then as president, a position he's held since 2004.

“I love this job,” said Tift, who has lived in St. Louis Park for more than 20 years. “Benilde-St. Margaret’s is such a great community, and I’m very passionate about our ministry and mission.”

Tift says he takes pride in watching students graduate from the very school he earned his education at.

“There is nothing like watching seniors cross the stage into young adulthood,” he said. “Their accomplishments make me so proud.”

While Tift is one of the school’s biggest advocates, as he devotes long hours to his job, what many people don’t see is his personal side. With a wife and four growing sons at home, he spends as much time as possible with his family. He has coached Little League teams and youth sports, and tries to savor the little moments in life.

“One of the best things about being a dad was rocking my kids to sleep at night,” he said.  His sons vary in age from a college senior to a sixth grader. Like their father, all of his children have attended, or will attend, Benilde-St. Margaret’s.

Tift hopes he inspires his kids as much as his father did.

“I admired my dad so much. He exemplified integrity, faith and patriotism,” Tift said. His father, a World War II veteran, died of cancer, but Tift believes his memory lives on.  “He made sure his kids valued a great education and I try to emulate him and his values and carry on his legacy.”

Perhaps it’s that legacy that fuels Tift’s positive attitude while in school.

“He has a passion for learning and for Benilde-St. Margaret’s that permeates the school,” principal Sue Skinner said. “Bob is a true educator at heart.”