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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The parking lot and the north facing of the Turner building. Written on recto: North elevation of Turner.
James H. Costen Collection
Northside Turner Building, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The parking lot and the north facing of the Turner building. Written on recto: North elevation of Turner.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
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
An unidentified man places a red hood on a graduate as he crosses the stage.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Places Red Hood on Graduate, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man places a red hood on a graduate as he crosses the stage.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified woman speaking on stage in front of a crowd of children. Unidentified adults sit in a line in folding chairs.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Woman Standing on Stage, circa 1988
Date Created
1984/1989
Description
An unidentified woman speaking on stage in front of a crowd of children. Unidentified adults sit in a line in folding chairs.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified faculty member places a red hood on a graduate.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Student Receives Red Hood, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified faculty member places a red hood on a graduate.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
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
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
An unidentified faculty member kisses a graduate to congratulate her on graduating.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Faculty Member Congratulates Graduate, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
An unidentified faculty member kisses a graduate to congratulate her on graduating.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a speech.
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants During Speech, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Platform participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a speech.
Subject
Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
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
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
East side of the physical plant.
James H. Costen Collection
Physical Plant, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
East side of the physical plant.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
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
The faade of Gammon Residence: King Building.
James H. Costen Collection
Gammon Residence: King Building, circa 1995
Date Created
1992/1998
Description
The faade of Gammon Residence: King Building.
Subject
Buildings and grounds, Theological seminaries
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
A group of women stand in front of a bouquet of flowers on a table. Written on recto: Hostesses (L-R): Valerie Crawford, Jean Wil Kerson, Franis Mitchell, Mrs. Minnie Wright, Pamela Wyatt, and Christy Esau.
James H. Costen Collection
Senior Breakfast, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
A group of women stand in front of a bouquet of flowers on a table. Written on recto: Hostesses (L-R): Valerie Crawford, Jean Wil Kerson, Franis Mitchell, Mrs. Minnie Wright, Pamela Wyatt, and Christy Esau.
Subject
Portraits and people, Special events
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
An unidentified man receives his diploma and shakes Dr. Grant Shockley's hand.
James H. Costen Collection
Unidentified Man Receives Diploma, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man receives his diploma and shakes Dr. Grant Shockley's hand.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Nathaniel Stampley and his wife walking through tables at the 1979 senior breakfast.
James H. Costen Collection
Nathaniel Stampley and His Wife, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Nathaniel Stampley and his wife walking through tables at the 1979 senior breakfast.
Subject
Portraits and people, African Americans--Religion, Special events
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address.
James H. Costen Collection
Platform Participants Sitting on Platform, 1979
Date Created
1979
Description
Platform Participants (President, Board of Trustees, and Deans) listen to a commencement address.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection
An unidentified man places a green hood around the neck of the 1978 honorary graduate as President Grant Shockley looks on.
James H. Costen Collection
Man Receives a Green Hood, 1978
Date Created
1978
Description
An unidentified man places a green hood around the neck of the 1978 honorary graduate as President Grant Shockley looks on.
Subject
Presidents, Commencement ceremonies, African Americans--Education, African American universities and colleges
Collection
James H. Costen Collection