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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Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address during I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants Listening to a Speech, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address during I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Minnie Wright and Dr. Grant Shockley hold an piece of paper at Dr. Shockley's desk. Written on verso: Pacs. See. Minnie Wright & Dr. Shockley.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. President Dr. Grant Shockley and Minnie Wright, circa 1975
Date Created
1972/1978
Description
Minnie Wright and Dr. Grant Shockley hold an piece of paper at Dr. Shockley's desk. Written on verso: Pacs. See. Minnie Wright & Dr. Shockley.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The double door entrance to the south elevation of the Gammon Theological Seminary building.
James H. Costen Collection
South Elevation of Gammon, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The double door entrance to the south elevation of the Gammon Theological Seminary building.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate is given a red hood by a faculty member.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Graduate is Given Red Hood, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate is given a red hood by a faculty member.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Trees and a winding dirt road lead up to an unidentified building.
James H. Costen Collection
Landscape, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Trees and a winding dirt road lead up to an unidentified building.
Subject
Buildings and grounds
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified group, possibly a family, stand on a staircase with and pose for pictures with an unidentified young woman in a red cap & gown.
James H. Costen Collection
An Unidentified Group Standing on Staircase, circa 1988
Date Created
1984/1989
Description
An unidentified group, possibly a family, stand on a staircase with and pose for pictures with an unidentified young woman in a red cap & gown.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified students stand on a stage, behind podiums with academic symbols on them. The students are wearing graduation caps and gowns.
James H. Costen Collection
Students Standing Behind Podiums, circa 1988
Date Created
1984/1989
Description
Unidentified students stand on a stage, behind podiums with academic symbols on them. The students are wearing graduation caps and gowns.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
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
Members of the platform participants during the graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Members of the platform participants during the graduation ceremony.
Subject
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
Melva Costen leads the I.T.C. Center Chorus.
James H. Costen Collection
Melva Costen, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Melva Costen leads the I.T.C. Center Chorus.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate crosses the stage in front of a faculty member at a graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Graduate with Unidentified Faculty, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate crosses the stage in front of a faculty member at a graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member delivers a commencement address to the class of 1979.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Delivers Speech, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified faculty member delivers a commencement address to the class of 1979.
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 young woman wearing a red cap and gown stands next to an unidentified older woman, possibly her Grandmother.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Older Woman and Young Woman in Cap and Gown, circa 1988
Date Created
1984/1989
Description
An unidentified young woman wearing a red cap and gown stands next to an unidentified older woman, possibly her Grandmother.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
United Negro College Fund Presidents visit the United Nations. Written on recto: United Negro College Fund Presidents at the United Nations - 3/18/55. Written on verso: "(VIS:USA:55) PRESIDENTS OF THE NEGRO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES VISIT U.N. UN 45439 - UNITED NATIONS, N.Y., 18 March 1955 - The 33 Presidents of the members of the colleges and universities of the United Negro College Fund this afternoon visited United Nations Headquarters, in New York. Some of them are seen here in one of the U.N. conference rooms, as they were listening to a short welcoming address by Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold. Their visit was organized by the United States Mission to the U.N. Please credit: UNITED NATIONS AF/pcd.
James H. Costen Collection
United Negro College Fund Presidents at the United Nations, March 18, 1955
Date Created
1955-03-08
Description
United Negro College Fund Presidents visit the United Nations. Written on recto: United Negro College Fund Presidents at the United Nations - 3/18/55. Written on verso: "(VIS:USA:55) PRESIDENTS OF THE NEGRO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES VISIT U.N. UN 45439 - UNITED NATIONS, N.Y., 18 March 1955 - The 33 Presidents of the members of the colleges and universities of the United Negro College Fund this afternoon visited United Nations Headquarters, in New York. Some of them are seen here in one of the U.N. conference rooms, as they were listening to a short welcoming address by Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold. Their visit was organized by the United States Mission to the U.N. Please credit: UNITED NATIONS AF/pcd.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people, Special events
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
Two unidentified girls stand in front an audience of other children. A group of unidentified adults sit in a line of folding chairs behind them.
James H. Costen Collection
Two Unidentified Girls Performing on Stage, circa 1988
Date Created
1984/1989
Description
Two unidentified girls stand in front an audience of other children. A group of unidentified adults sit in a line of folding chairs behind them.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified I.T.C. graduate stands with her classmates as part of the graduation ceremonies.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Graduates Standing, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified I.T.C. graduate stands with her classmates as part of the graduation ceremonies.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection