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. 
150 Objects displayed
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  • Decade = 1970-1979
An unidentified graduate receives his diploma.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified I.T.C. Graduate Receives Diploma, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate receives his diploma.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Faculty members stand on stage during 1979 graduation ceremony, including Grant Shockley.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Grant Shockley at the I.T.C. Graduation Ceremony, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Faculty members stand on stage during 1979 graduation ceremony, including Grant Shockley.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) sit while watching the proceedings of the graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) sit while watching the proceedings of the graduation ceremony.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Professors and audience members watch a commencement address being delivered.
James H. Costen Collection
Professors in the Audience at the I.T.C. Graduation Ceremony, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Professors and audience members watch a commencement address being delivered.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member places a blue and black hood on an unidentified graduate.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Faculty Member with a Graduate, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified faculty member places a blue and black hood on an unidentified graduate.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
People listening to a speaker's address during a graduation ceremony for I.T.C.
James H. Costen Collection
Professors, Graduates, and Audience Members at I.T.C. Graduation, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
People listening to a speaker's address during a graduation ceremony for I.T.C.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man sings with the I.T.C Center Chorus.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Singing with the I.T.C. Center Chorus, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified man sings with the I.T.C Center Chorus.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
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.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduate Receives Diploma and Red Hood, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate receives his diploma and red hood with a hand shake from Dr. Grant Shockley, as James Costen hoods the graduate.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member looking down at his notes as he gives his commencement address during ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Faculty Member Gives Commencement Address, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified faculty member looking down at his notes as he gives his commencement address during ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Interview with Hampton T. McFadden, May 1, 1975
Date Created
1978-05-01
Description
Subject
African American Presbyterians, Interviews, Church history, African Americans--Education, Oral history
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man places a red hood on a graduate as he crosses the stage.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Places Red Hood on Graduate, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man places a red hood on a graduate as he crosses the stage.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man receives his diploma and shakes Dr. Grant Shockley's hand.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Receives Diploma, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man receives his diploma and shakes Dr. Grant Shockley's hand.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
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.
James H. Costen Collection
Man Receives a Green Hood, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man places a green hood around the neck of the 1978 honorary graduate as President Grant Shockley looks on.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
At the podium, the 1978 commencement speaker delivers his address.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement Speaker, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
At the podium, the 1978 commencement speaker delivers his address.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Copher sits next to Mrs. Copher in a Santa suit. Written on rector: Dr. and Mrs. Copher.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. & Mrs. Copher, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Copher sits next to Mrs. Copher in a Santa suit. Written on rector: Dr. and Mrs. Copher.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Copher wears a Santa suit to the 1978 Christmas party.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Copher Wearing a Santa Suit, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Copher wears a Santa suit to the 1978 Christmas party.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified graduates find their seats for the ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduation Attendees, Class of 1978, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Unidentified graduates find their seats for the ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
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.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress Dr. Melva Costen, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Melva Costen directs the I.T.C Center Chorus. Written on recto: I.T.C. Center Chorus Directress: Dr. Melva Costen.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate takes a picture with an older couple.
James H. Costen Collection
An Unidentified Student with a Couple, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified graduate takes a picture with an older couple.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
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