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. 
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An unidentified graduate shakes hands with President Grant Shockley.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduate Shaking Hands, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified graduate shakes hands with President Grant Shockley.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The 1978 commencement speaker gives his address.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement Speaker, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
The 1978 commencement speaker gives his address.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays delivers a speech at the I.T.C. 1978 graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays delivers a speech at the I.T.C. 1978 graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man in a graduation cap & gown holds a green and white decorated stick.
James H. Costen Collection
Man Holding a Stick, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man in a graduation cap & gown holds a green and white decorated stick.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate shakes hands with Dr. Grant Shockley after receiving his diploma.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Graduate Shaking Hands with Dr. Grant Shockley, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified graduate shakes hands with Dr. Grant Shockley after receiving his diploma.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified People at the 1978 Christmas party.
James H. Costen Collection
People at a Christmas Party, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Unidentified People at the 1978 Christmas party.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man stands amongst his classmates in his cap and gown.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man in Cap and Gown, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man stands amongst his classmates in his cap and gown.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified student and faculty member shake hands.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Men Shake Hands, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified student and faculty member shake hands.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man receives a red hood draped over him as he graduates.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Receives Red Hood, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man receives a red hood draped over him as he graduates.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
President Grant Shockley speaks from the podium in front of the 1978 graduation ceremony with Charles Copher standing behind him. Written on recto: Honorary Degrees 1978.
James H. Costen Collection
Honorary Degree 1978, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
President Grant Shockley speaks from the podium in front of the 1978 graduation ceremony with Charles Copher standing behind him. Written on recto: Honorary Degrees 1978.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified man and woman pose for post graduation photo.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Couple, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Unidentified man and woman pose for post graduation photo.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Grant S. Shockley speaks at a graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Grant S. Shockley - President, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Grant S. Shockley speaks at a graduation ceremony.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays gives speech. Written on recto: Member of the Board Dr. Benjamin E. Mays.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays gives speech. Written on recto: Member of the Board Dr. Benjamin E. Mays.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man in his cap and gown smiles while holding his diploma.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man in Cap and Gown Smiling, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man in his cap and gown smiles while holding his diploma.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified graduate adjusts his mortarboard after receiving his diploma.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduate Adjusts Mortarboard, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Unidentified graduate adjusts his mortarboard after receiving his diploma.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Graduates of the class of 1978 hold their diplomas. Written on recto: Class of 1978.
James H. Costen Collection
Class of 1978, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Graduates of the class of 1978 hold their diplomas. Written on recto: Class of 1978.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The I.T.C. chorus performs at graduation led by Melva Costen.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress Leads Chorus, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
The I.T.C. chorus performs at graduation led by Melva Costen.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified woman gets her hood adjusted by a man.
James H. Costen Collection
Woman's Hood is Adjusted, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified woman gets her hood adjusted by a man.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
People attending the graduation ceremony of the I.T.C. class of 1978. Written on recto: Scenes of the graduation.
James H. Costen Collection
Attendees of 1978 Graduation Ceremony, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
People attending the graduation ceremony of the I.T.C. class of 1978. Written on recto: Scenes of the graduation.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The graduating class sits and listens to the current speaker. Written on recto: Graduating Class of 1978.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduating Class of 1978, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
The graduating class sits and listens to the current speaker. Written on recto: Graduating Class of 1978.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection