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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Dorathy Ku, Josephine Richards, & Casuo stand in front of an Egyptian themed quilt hanging on a wall. Written on verso: Dorathy Ku, Josephine Richards, Casuo.
James H. Costen Collection
Dorathy Ku, Josephine Richards, & Casuo, 1966
Date Created
1966
Description
Dorathy Ku, Josephine Richards, & Casuo stand in front of an Egyptian themed quilt hanging on a wall. Written on verso: Dorathy Ku, Josephine Richards, Casuo.
Subject
Portraits and people
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 holds a drink as he is flanked by Dr. & Mrs. Shockley. Written on rector: Scenes from XMAS party (1978) Dr. & Mrs. Grant S. Shockley and Dr. Copher-Vice President at X-mas party.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. & Mrs. Grant S. Shockley and Dr. Copher-Vice President, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Copher holds a drink as he is flanked by Dr. & Mrs. Shockley. Written on rector: Scenes from XMAS party (1978) Dr. & Mrs. Grant S. Shockley and Dr. Copher-Vice President at X-mas party.
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
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
Dr. Copher attends the 1978 Christmas party in a Santa suit.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Copher in a Santa Suit, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Copher attends the 1978 Christmas party in a Santa suit.
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
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. Grant S. Shockley speaks. Written on recto: Dr. Grant S. Shockley - President (1976-1979).
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Grant S. Shockley - President, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Grant S. Shockley speaks. Written on recto: Dr. Grant S. Shockley - President (1976-1979).
Subject
Presidents, 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
Dr. Grant Shockley talks to a man at the President's reception.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Grant Shockley at the President's Reception, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Dr. Grant Shockley talks to a man at the President's reception.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Hyla S. Watters stands with Harry V. Richardson and Directors while holding a wrapped gift in her hands. Written on verso: 2/22/68 Dr. Hyla S. Watters visits L.T.C. - seen with HVR & Directors.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Hyla S. Watters with I.T.C. Directors, February 22, 1968
Date Created
1968-02-22
Description
Dr. Hyla S. Watters stands with Harry V. Richardson and Directors while holding a wrapped gift in her hands. Written on verso: 2/22/68 Dr. Hyla S. Watters visits L.T.C. - seen with HVR & Directors.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Dr. James Costen. Written on verso: Page 1 of script with special effects. Dr. James Costen.
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. James Costen, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Portrait of Dr. James Costen. Written on verso: Page 1 of script with special effects. Dr. James Costen.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The east view of a classroom building on I.T.C. campus.
James H. Costen Collection
East View of Classroom Building, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The east view of a classroom building on I.T.C. campus.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The East view of the dormitory.
James H. Costen Collection
East View of Dorm, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The East view of the dormitory.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Two Windows on the east side of the dining hall. Written on recto: East view of dining hall.
James H. Costen Collection
East View of the Dining Hall, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
Two Windows on the east side of the dining hall. Written on recto: East view of dining hall.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member has an exchange with a graduate as he crosses the stage.
James H. Costen Collection
Faculty Member has Friendly Exchange with Graduate, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified faculty member has an exchange with a graduate as he crosses the stage.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
B. E. Mays, H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith stand together. Written on verso: L. to R.: Pres. B. E. Mays, Pres. H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith.
James H. Costen Collection
Founding Fathers, circa 1971
Date Created
1968/1973
Description
B. E. Mays, H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith stand together. Written on verso: L. to R.: Pres. B. E. Mays, Pres. H.V. Richardson and Bishop B. Julian Smith.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The faade of Gammon Residence: King Building.
James H. Costen Collection
Gammon Residence: King Building, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The faade of Gammon Residence: King Building.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group stands with their arms around each other at the I.T.C. Grand Reunion. Written on verso: Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, Katie Cannon. ITC Grand Reunion 1994.
James H. Costen Collection
Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, & Katie Cannon, 1994
Date Created
1994
Description
A group stands with their arms around each other at the I.T.C. Grand Reunion. Written on verso: Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, Katie Cannon. ITC Grand Reunion 1994.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection