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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  • Subjects = African American universities and colleges
A group attends a grand reunion. Written on verso: Angelin, Mr. & Mrs. Littleton Price, Spencer Gibbs, Karen Callier, Cleo & Portia Lacy. Grand reunion 1994 - ITC.
James H. Costen Collection
Angelin Simmons, Mr. & Mrs. Littleton Price, Spencer Gibbs, Karen Callier, Cleo & Portia Lacy., 1994
Date Created
1994
Description
A group attends a grand reunion. Written on verso: Angelin, Mr. & Mrs. Littleton Price, Spencer Gibbs, Karen Callier, Cleo & Portia Lacy. Grand reunion 1994 - ITC.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
People attending the graduation ceremony of the I.T.C. class of 1978. Written on recto: Scenes of the graduation.
James H. Costen Collection
Attendees of 1978 Graduation Ceremony, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
People attending the graduation ceremony of the I.T.C. class of 1978. Written on recto: Scenes of the graduation.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Professors, graduates, and the general public attend the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
James H. Costen Collection
Attendees of the I.T.C. Graduation Ceremony, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Professors, graduates, and the general public attend the I.T.C. graduation ceremony.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons stand shoulder to shoulder at an ITC Grand Reunion. Written on verso: ITC Grand Reunion 1994. Bennie Mitchell, Angelin Simmons.
James H. Costen Collection
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons at an ITC Grand Reunion, 1994
Date Created
1994
Description
Bennie Mitchell & Angelin Simmons stand shoulder to shoulder at an ITC Grand Reunion. Written on verso: ITC Grand Reunion 1994. Bennie Mitchell, Angelin Simmons.
Subject
African Americans--Religion, Portraits and people, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Written on verso: Board of Trustees, Stillman College-Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1988. Left to right - First row: George H. Weldon, New York; Sarah L. (Sue) Thompson, Tuscaloosa; Houston H. Harte, San Antonio; Chairperson Cordell Wynn, Tuscaloosa, President. Left to right - Second Row: Alex A. Chambers, Tenn.; Ollie Page, Miami; James H. Costen, Atlanta; Richard A. Thigpen, Tuscaloosa; Mrs. Joseph (Gene) Shannon, Bradenton; Moses C. Jones, Tuscaloosa. Left to right - Third row: E. Granger WIlliams, Little Rock; Wardell Craft, Detroit; Helen Hubbard; Ervin Elligan, Miami; Eugene H. Webb, New York; Samuel Ethredge. Left to right - Fourth row: Eugene L. McCabe, New York; Heywood Strickland, Atlanta; Edward L. Parrish, Birmingham; Carl W. Albright, Tuscaloosa; M.J. Williams, Washington, D.C.
James H. Costen Collection
Board of Trustees at Stillman College, 1988
Date Created
1988
Description
Written on verso: Board of Trustees, Stillman College-Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1988. Left to right - First row: George H. Weldon, New York; Sarah L. (Sue) Thompson, Tuscaloosa; Houston H. Harte, San Antonio; Chairperson Cordell Wynn, Tuscaloosa, President. Left to right - Second Row: Alex A. Chambers, Tenn.; Ollie Page, Miami; James H. Costen, Atlanta; Richard A. Thigpen, Tuscaloosa; Mrs. Joseph (Gene) Shannon, Bradenton; Moses C. Jones, Tuscaloosa. Left to right - Third row: E. Granger WIlliams, Little Rock; Wardell Craft, Detroit; Helen Hubbard; Ervin Elligan, Miami; Eugene H. Webb, New York; Samuel Ethredge. Left to right - Fourth row: Eugene L. McCabe, New York; Heywood Strickland, Atlanta; Edward L. Parrish, Birmingham; Carl W. Albright, Tuscaloosa; M.J. Williams, Washington, D.C.
Subject
Presidents, Portraits and people, Groups and organizations, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Graduates of the class of 1978 hold their diplomas. Written on recto: Class of 1978.
James H. Costen Collection
Class of 1978, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Graduates of the class of 1978 hold their diplomas. Written on recto: Class of 1978.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Graduating class sits attentively as a crowd cheers.
James H. Costen Collection
Class of 1978 and Attendees, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
Graduating class sits attentively as a crowd cheers.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
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
At the podium, the 1978 commencement speaker delivers his address.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement Speaker, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
At the podium, the 1978 commencement speaker delivers his address.
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
The 1978 commencement speaker giving his address to the graduates and other attendees.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement Speaker, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
The 1978 commencement speaker giving his address to the graduates and other attendees.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The 1978 commencement speaker gives his address. Written on recto: Commencement Speaker 1978.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement Speaker, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
The 1978 commencement speaker gives his address. Written on recto: Commencement Speaker 1978.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
The 1978 commencement speaker gives his address the I.T.C. class of 1978.
James H. Costen Collection
Commencement Speaker, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
The 1978 commencement speaker gives his address the I.T.C. class of 1978.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
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. 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