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. 
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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
A guest lecturer from Japan talks about Japanese writing. Written on verso: Japanese Lecturer in Library - 1964. A visiting Japanese Lecturer, 196[2]. Written on recto: A visiting Japanese Lecturer - 1962.
James H. Costen Collection
Japanese Lecturer in the Library, circa 1962
Date Created
1959/1965
Description
A guest lecturer from Japan talks about Japanese writing. Written on verso: Japanese Lecturer in Library - 1964. A visiting Japanese Lecturer, 196[2]. Written on recto: A visiting Japanese Lecturer - 1962.
Subject
Portraits and people, Lectures and lecturing, Education--Religion
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Dr. Grant Shockley.
James H. Costen Collection
ITC President Grant S. Shockley, circa 1964
Date Created
1961/1967
Description
Portrait of Dr. Grant Shockley.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Portrait of Oswald Bronson.
James H. Costen Collection
Oswald Bronson, circa 1964
Date Created
1961/1967
Description
Portrait of Oswald Bronson.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The graduating class of 1964 stand at the steps of an unidentified building for a class photo. Written on verso: Commencement at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - May, 1964. Th.M. Degree James H. Costen - Back Floor Left.
James H. Costen Collection
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Graduating Class, May 1964
Date Created
1964-05
Description
The graduating class of 1964 stand at the steps of an unidentified building for a class photo. Written on verso: Commencement at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - May, 1964. Th.M. Degree James H. Costen - Back Floor Left.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges, Education--Religion
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The 176th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church stand in front of the Washita Presbytery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
James H. Costen Collection
176th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church, May 1964
Date Created
1964-05
Description
The 176th General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church stand in front of the Washita Presbytery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Subject
Portraits and people, Groups and organizations, African American Presbyterians
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
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. 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
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
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
Deotis Roberts speaking.
James H. Costen Collection
Deotis Roberts, circa 1972
Date Created
1970/1975
Description
Deotis Roberts speaking.
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
Portrait of Martin Luther King Sr.
James H. Costen Collection
Martin Luther King Sr., circa 1973
Date Created
1970/1976
Description
Portrait of Martin Luther King Sr.
Subject
Portraits and people
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
Portrait of Oswald Bronson.
James H. Costen Collection
Oswald Bronson, circa 1975
Date Created
1973/1978
Description
Portrait of Oswald Bronson.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Three unidentified women stand in tall grass with their arms outstretched. Two unidentified men stand behind them holding up American flags. Written on verso: Echoes of a Dream, a dramatic bicentennial production of Boggs Academy, Keysville, Georgia, is widely acclaimed program of dance, poetry and song speaking to the question of "should blacks celebrate the bicentennial?" Echoes will be presented on (date), at (place), at (time). It is sponsored by (name of sponsor). The public is invited.
James H. Costen Collection
Boggs Academy's Echoes of a Dream, circa 1976
Date Created
1973/1979
Description
Three unidentified women stand in tall grass with their arms outstretched. Two unidentified men stand behind them holding up American flags. Written on verso: Echoes of a Dream, a dramatic bicentennial production of Boggs Academy, Keysville, Georgia, is widely acclaimed program of dance, poetry and song speaking to the question of "should blacks celebrate the bicentennial?" Echoes will be presented on (date), at (place), at (time). It is sponsored by (name of sponsor). The public is invited.
Subject
African American arts, Theatre and dance
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified children play outside on a swing set.
James H. Costen Collection
Children Play on a Swing Set, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Unidentified children play outside on a swing set.
Subject
Children, Recreation, African Americans--Education
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thorton has picture taken with his wife and son.
James H. Costen Collection
Calvin Thornton with Family, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
Calvin Thorton has picture taken with his wife and son.
Subject
African American families, Portraits and people
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
People gather in a gymnasium for a commencement ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
People gather in a gymnasium for a commencement ceremony.
Subject
African American universities and colleges, Portraits and people, Commencement ceremonies
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group of unidentified young women dance on a basketball court.
James H. Costen Collection
Young Women Dance on a Basketball Court, circa 1976
Date Created
1974/1978
Description
A group of unidentified young women dance on a basketball court.
Subject
African American arts, Theatre and dance
Collection
James H. Costen Collection