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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A group attends an I.T.C. grand reunion. Written on verso: Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, Angelin Simmons. ITC Grand Reunion 1994.
James H. Costen Collection
Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, Angelin Simmons, 1994
Date Created
1994
Description
A group attends an I.T.C. grand reunion. Written on verso: Gloria Tate, Mr. Simmons, Minnie, Angelin Simmons. ITC Grand Reunion 1994.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, 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
Unidentified man receives a diploma from President Grant Shockley.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduate Receives Diploma, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Unidentified man receives a diploma from President Grant Shockley.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
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 graduate shakes James Costen's hand while she receives a red hood.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduate Shakes Faculty Member's Hand While Receiving Diploma, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate shakes James Costen's hand while she receives a red hood.
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
An unidentified man in a cap and gown smiles.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduate Smiling, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man in a cap and gown smiles.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate smiles as she crosses the stage and receives her diploma, followed by James Costen.
James H. Costen Collection
Graduate Smiling as She Receives Her Diploma, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate smiles as she crosses the stage and receives her diploma, followed by James Costen.
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
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
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
A large group of unidentified children sit on steps outside of a building and smile.
James H. Costen Collection
A Group of Children, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
A large group of unidentified children sit on steps outside of a building and smile.
Subject
Portraits and people, Children, African Americans--Education
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Harry and Selma Richardson meet with an international couple.
James H. Costen Collection
Harry and Selma Richardson Meet with an Unidentified Couple, circa 1971
Date Created
1968/1974
Description
Harry and Selma Richardson meet with an international couple.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Harry V. Richardson.
James H. Costen Collection
Harry V. Richardson, circa 1973
Date Created
1970/1976
Description
Portrait of Harry V. Richardson.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Hattie Loving holds out a pen and paper while she stands by a banquet table. Written on verso: 1988 Internal campaign Hattie Loving.
James H. Costen Collection
Hattie Loving, 1988
Date Created
1988
Description
Hattie Loving holds out a pen and paper while she stands by a banquet table. Written on verso: 1988 Internal campaign Hattie Loving.
Subject
Portraits and people, Theological seminaries, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A brochure published by the American Friends Service Committee about race and integrated neighborhood housing..
James H. Costen Collection
"Homes and Community", 1965
Date Created
1965
Description
A brochure published by the American Friends Service Committee about race and integrated neighborhood housing..
Subject
African Americans--Housing, African Americans--Georgia--Atlanta, African Americans--Civil rights
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
Ida Wells at the 1979 senior breakfast.
James H. Costen Collection
Ida Wells, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Ida Wells at the 1979 senior breakfast.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Interview with Dr. Abraham H. Prince, August 19, 1975
Date Created
1975-08-19
Description
Subject
African American Presbyterians, Interviews, Church history, African Americans--Education, Oral history
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Interview with Dr. Abraham H. Prince, Continued, August 19, 1975
Date Created
1975-08-19
Description
Subject
African American Presbyterians, Interviews, Church history, African Americans--Education, Oral history
Collection
James H. Costen Collection