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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An unidentified faculty member places a red hood on a graduate in front of platform participants.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Graduate Receives His Red Hood, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified faculty member places a red hood on a graduate in front of platform participants.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate smiles as he crosses the stage with his diploma.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Graduate with Diploma, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate smiles as he crosses the stage with his diploma.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
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
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
A soloist sings lead in front of the I.T.C. Center Chorus at the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Soloist Singing with the I.T.C. Center Chorus, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
A soloist sings lead in front of the I.T.C. Center Chorus at the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Dr. Grant Shockley stands next to James Costen giving a commencement address to the graduating class.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Faculty Member Gives Speech, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Dr. Grant Shockley stands next to James Costen giving a commencement address to the graduating class.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Two unidentified women and one unidentified man sit at a table during the senior breakfast.
James H. Costen Collection
Three People Sitting at a Table, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Two unidentified women and one unidentified man sit at a table during the senior breakfast.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) look on during graduation proceedings.
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) look on during graduation proceedings.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Two unidentified men stand at a podium to give a speech.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Men Give a Speech, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Two unidentified men stand at a podium to give a speech.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Melva Costen directing the I.T.C. Center Chorus.
James H. Costen Collection
Melva Costen, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Melva Costen directing the I.T.C. Center Chorus.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate receives a hood.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Graduate Receives Hood, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate receives a hood.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified I.T.C. graduate receives a red hood with his diploma.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified I.T.C. Graduate Receives Diploma, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified I.T.C. graduate receives a red hood with his diploma.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate at the 1979 graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Graduate, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate at the 1979 graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Members of the I.T.C. Center Chorus singing.
James H. Costen Collection
I.T.C. Center Chorus, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Members of the I.T.C. Center Chorus singing.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified graduate receives his diploma and red hood.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Graduate with Diploma and Red Hood, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified graduate receives his diploma and red hood.
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
Melva Costen directs the I.T.C Center Chorus at the class of 1979 graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Melva Costen with the I.T.C. Center Chorus, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Melva Costen directs the I.T.C Center Chorus at the class of 1979 graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Gospel music, African Americans--Music
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Rev. David Copeland presides over closing prayer.
James H. Costen Collection
Rev. David Copeland Delivers Prayer, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Rev. David Copeland presides over closing prayer.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member looks into the audience as he gives his commencement address.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified I.T.C. Faculty Member Gives Commencement Address at Graduation, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified faculty member looks into the audience as he gives his commencement address.
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