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. 
97 Objects displayed
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  • Subjects = Commencement ceremonies
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
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
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
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
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