History

Excerpt taken from “Planting Trees: A History of Presbyterian Pan American School” by James S. Currie...

“The story of Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville is truly a remarkable one. A vision of Presbyterians in the early years of the 20th century that wanted to offer an education to young boys from Mexico, the school began with a generous gift of 700 acres from Henrietta King, wife of Captain Richard King, founder of the King Ranch. After others had turned down the offer, Rev. James W. Skinner, a middle-aged pastor in south Texas, agreed to try to get the school started. There was nothing on the land that had been given. With the help of Mexican boys who would become his students, Skinner himself began building the school from the ground up. The Texas-Mexican Industrial Institute (“Tex-Mex”) slowly began to take shape. S. Brooks McLane eventually succeeded Skinner as the School’s second president.

A second school for girls, The Presbyterian School for Mexican Girls (“Pres-Mex”), was begun in the mid-1920s in Taft, Texas. With love, faith and determination, Berta Murray headed that school for 30 years.

In 1956, the two schools merged into one school, Presbyterian Pan American School, under the leadership of a new president, Sherwood H. Reisner. The Kingsville campus became the home campus and underwent considerable reconstruction. The last 50 years have experienced their own challenges, but the school celebrated its centennial year (2011-2012) in a position of growing strength and stability.”

Click here to purchase "Planting Trees" history book   

• 1910—Synod of Texas votes to create Texas-Mexican Industrial Institute.

• 1912—The Texas-Mexican Industrial Institute was established in Kingsville, Texas.

1912—Rev. James W. Skinner becomes the 1st President of Tex-Mex.

Clearing Land

 First Building

1912—on October 1st, school opens with a study body of 50 boys.

1924—Presbyterian School for Mexican Girls was established in Taft, Texas.

1927-1956

Dr. Berta F. Murray - President of Pres-Mex

1932-1954

Rev. Sam Brooks McLane - 2nd President of Tex-Mex

1956-1979

Sherwood H. Reisner - 1st President of PPAS

1957—Girls of the Taft school move on campus.

1959—Construction began on the new dining hall and chapel.

1960—May 15 Morris Chapel Dedication.

Arial view of a quickly expanding campus

1980-1990

David R. Gifford - 2nd President of PPAS

1991-1997

Abraham Torres M. - 3rd President of PPAS

1998-2012

Dr. James H. Matthews - 4th President of PPAS

2012-

Rev. Dr. Doug Dalglish - 5th President of PPAS