Dr. James H. Costen was Presbyterian minister and educator, and served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) from 1983 to 1997. In 1969, he became the first Dean of the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary the only historically Black theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Costenss records tell the story of an active educator and administrator with the papers providing rich resources in the study of African American religion and education in the South. At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu. 
Jun 13, 2019

James H. Costen Collection

Dr. James H. Costen was Presbyterian minister and educator, and served as president of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) from 1983 to 1997. In 1969, he became the first Dean of the Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary the only historically Black theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Costenss records tell the story of an active educator and administrator with the papers providing rich resources in the study of African American religion and education in the South.

At the AUC Robert W. Woodruff Library we are always striving to improve our digital collections. We welcome additional information about people, places, or events depicted in any of the works in this collection. To submit information, please contact us at DSD@auctr.edu. 
223 Objects displayed
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Unidentified Graduate Receives Diploma from the I.T.C., 1979
1979
An unidentified woman receives a hood from a faculty member after getting her diploma.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified woman receives a hood from a faculty member after getting her diploma.
Unidentified I.T.C. Graduate Receives Diploma, 1979
1979
An unidentified graduate receives his diploma.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate receives his diploma.
Dr. Grant Shockley at the I.T.C. Graduation Ceremony, 1979
1979
Faculty members stand on stage during 1979 graduation ceremony, including Grant Shockley.
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Faculty members stand on stage during 1979 graduation ceremony, including Grant Shockley.
Platform Participants, 1979
1979
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) sit while watching the proceedings of the graduation ceremony.
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) sit while watching the proceedings of the graduation ceremony.
Professors in the Audience at the I.T.C. Graduation Ceremony, 1979
1979
Professors and audience members watch a commencement address being delivered.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Professors and audience members watch a commencement address being delivered.
Unidentified Faculty Member with a Graduate, 1979
1979
An unidentified faculty member places a blue and black hood on an unidentified graduate.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member places a blue and black hood on an unidentified graduate.
Professors, Graduates, and Audience Members at I.T.C. Graduation, 1979
1979
People listening to a speaker's address during a graduation ceremony for I.T.C.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
People listening to a speaker's address during a graduation ceremony for I.T.C.
Unidentified Man Singing with the I.T.C. Center Chorus, 1979
1979
An unidentified man sings with the I.T.C Center Chorus.
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man sings with the I.T.C Center Chorus.
Graduate Receives Diploma and Red Hood, 1979
1979
An unidentified graduate receives his diploma and red hood with a hand shake from Dr. Grant Shockley, as James Costen hoods the graduate.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate receives his diploma and red hood with a hand shake from Dr. Grant Shockley, as James Costen hoods the graduate.
Unidentified Faculty Member Gives Commencement Address, 1979
1979
An unidentified faculty member looking down at his notes as he gives his commencement address during ceremony.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member looking down at his notes as he gives his commencement address during ceremony.
Interview with Hampton T. McFadden, May 1, 1975
1978-05-01
African American Presbyterians, Interviews, Church history, African Americans--Education, Oral history
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Places Red Hood on Graduate, 1978
1978
An unidentified man places a red hood on a graduate as he crosses the stage.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man places a red hood on a graduate as he crosses the stage.
Unidentified Man Receives Diploma, 1978
1978
An unidentified man receives his diploma and shakes Dr. Grant Shockley's hand.
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man receives his diploma and shakes Dr. Grant Shockley's hand.
Man Receives a Green Hood, 1978
1978
An unidentified man places a green hood around the neck of the 1978 honorary graduate as President Grant Shockley looks on.
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man places a green hood around the neck of the 1978 honorary graduate as President Grant Shockley looks on.
Commencement Speaker, 1978
1978
At the podium, the 1978 commencement speaker delivers his address.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
At the podium, the 1978 commencement speaker delivers his address.
Dr. & Mrs. Copher, 1978
1978
Dr. Copher sits next to Mrs. Copher in a Santa suit. Written on rector: Dr. and Mrs. Copher.
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Copher sits next to Mrs. Copher in a Santa suit. Written on rector: Dr. and Mrs. Copher.
Dr. Copher Wearing a Santa Suit, 1978
1978
Dr. Copher wears a Santa suit to the 1978 Christmas party.
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Copher wears a Santa suit to the 1978 Christmas party.
Graduation Attendees, Class of 1978, 1978
1978
Unidentified graduates find their seats for the ceremony.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified graduates find their seats for the ceremony.
I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress Dr. Melva Costen, 1978
1978
Melva Costen directs the I.T.C Center Chorus. Written on recto: I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress: Dr. Melva Costen.
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Melva Costen directs the I.T.C Center Chorus. Written on recto: I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress: Dr. Melva Costen.
An Unidentified Student with a Couple, 1978
1978
An unidentified graduate takes a picture with an older couple.
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate takes a picture with an older couple.