A Vision
Many years ago, God planted a thought in the heart of a good woman, Mrs. R. D. Campbell. In prayer this thought was conceived and nurtured. In love, it was brought to fruition. From her work as a missionary among the Mexican people, she realized the great need for development of a Christian leadership. Yet, so few had an opportunity for even an elementary education. To train some choice young men and women under Christian influences for Christian leadership--that was the great need and goal.

Mrs. Campbell began talking to God and to her friends about this great need. Soon, others caught the vision of this need and its possibilities. Mrs. Henrietta M. King, the daughter of the first Presbyterian missionary of the Rio Grande, offered a site near Kingsville. The Kingsville Chamber of Commerce supplemented her offer and the tract totaling about 700 acres was accepted by the Synod.

The result was the establishment of the Texas-Mexican Industrial Institute in 1912. And about twelve years later, the Presbyterian School for Mexican Girls would be established in Taft in 1924. And in 1956, these two schools would be joined to become Presbyterian Pan American School, a co-educational program to prepare young people for college. Dr. Sherwood Reisner, a graduate of Yale University and Princeton Theological Seminary served as the first headmaster of the school for twenty-four years. The current President of the school is Dr. James H. Matthews, formerly Dean of faculty at Schriener College in Kerrville, Texas.